The England striker is in line to face an Aircity League XI in the first football match at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin on August 4.

Manager Sir Alex Ferguson has confirmed Rooney and the other World Cup players could come into consideration for the friendly, even though they are not due to return to training until Wednesday.

He said: "They have a chance of playing in that. It depends on their progress when they come back on July 28."

Apart from Rooney - Michael Carrick, Patrice Evra, Park Ji-sung and Nemanja Vidic could all come into contention for the showpiece match in Dublin.

Meanwhile, Ferguson said he "could not clarify" Vidic's future with the Serbian defender linked to a move away from Old Trafford. When pressed on whether Vidic would be a Manchester United player next season, Ferguson responded: "I believe so."

PA Sport