Rio Ferdinand has backed his Manchester United teammate Wayne Rooney to open the scoring for England during their friendly encounter against Brazil tonight.

Despite the fact that England have not beaten their Brazilian counterparts during their last eight attempts, they have managed to score the first goal in five of those meetings.

Should they repeat that feat today, Ferdinand feels that Rooney will be the player to find the net, assisted by captain Steven Gerrard.

"Rooney 1st goal me thinks! Assist from Gerard! Will do for me," he wrote on Twitter.

Rooney has already scored 32 goals for his country.