05 November 2015, The Tablet

A policy where there are no losers


 
The fans who campaigned for Manchester United to grant Wayne Rooney a testimonial match are no doubt thrilled the Premiership club has agreed to hold the event next summer to mark the striker’s 11 years of service. Equally thrilled will be the various charities to whom Rooney has said he will donate all the profits. For there is no guarantee that a player gives away his match profits, although it has become the norm now that the original intention behind testimonials – that they give the honoree a retirement fund – is no longer needed for top footballers. The likes of Rooney earn around £2.3 million a year – £43,000 a week – which is why the Bishop of Salford, John Arnold, has been so vehement about the need for Manchester United and Manchester Ci
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