All-star squad unveiled

March 12, 2007

RONALDINHO: Brazilian maestro will be in action at OT

THE European Commission has unveiled its all-star football squad to play Manchester United in a one-off charity match at Old Trafford.

The televised game is a joint 50th anniversary celebration of the creation of the European Union and of United becoming the first English side to play in UEFA's European club competition.

The Commission's first "signing", David Beckham, has had to drop out through injury, but will be at the match to see his old club face up to an EU team boasting Liverpool players Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher, Barcelona captain Carles Puyol and many of the Italian World Cup-winning squad.

Three Brazilian stars - Ronaldinho, Ronaldo and Juninho - will play as "guests", because they are not strictly eligible for a "Europe XI" team.

An unusually popular European Commission press conference saw Manchester United legend Sir Bobby Charlton take the stage alongside the Europe XI coach, Italian World Cup winner Marcello Lippi.

And UEFA President Michel Platini was on hand to present Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso with a Europe XI team shirt - number 27, to reflect the number of EU member states.

Sir Bobby said he was proud of Manchester United and proud of the European Union, and the match was a "very significant" occasion.

He added: "The history of Manchester United is tied up with that of Europe.

"Some of the club's greatest moments have been played out on a European stage.

"I look forward to welcoming so many stars and friends to Old Trafford to celebrate these two significant anniversaries."

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edinburgh red, edinburgh (12/03/2007 at 14:18)

Please no one get injured or knackered

Jonathan Chin, Truly Asia (12/03/2007 at 14:20)

For once, we can watch all the "almost united" player play against us. Mix feeling. If Ron joined us 2002, IF Ronaldin joine us 2003... IF Lippi replace Fergusan 2007.. Ops! Sorry

Loyal to the End (31 years, City Fans, 31 years), Nottingham, ex-Malaysia (12/03/2007 at 14:29)

Absolulely gutted that Becks isn't playing.. Oh well,heading down to Manchester tomorrow, hope one of our reserves manages to stick a leg in Gerrard's knee or something.. Hehehe..

Demo, Glossop (12/03/2007 at 14:30)

Will be a good match i think as long as we stay injury free. So MEN who is the line up?

Demo, Glossop (12/03/2007 at 14:56)

Are no chelsea players in this Europe all star line up?

Frank Old Trafford (12/03/2007 at 16:11)

The Europe XI squad for the match currently includes Olivier Kahn, Grégory Coupet, Iker Casillas, Paolo Maldini, Jamie Carragher, Eric Abidal, Lilan Thuram, Carles Puyol, Marco Materazzi, Fabio Grosso, Gianluca Zambrotta, Steven Gerrard, Juninho Pernambucano, Florent Malouda, Luis Miguel, Gennaro Gattuso, Andrea Pirlo, Ronaldinho, Ronaldo, Alessandro Mancini, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Henrik Larsson.

Macca, Cornwall (12/03/2007 at 16:14)

Chelsea have a game on weds nite. otherwise i expect terry and lamps woulda been included at least. (and booed everytime they touch the ball)

stephen.woodland@gmail.com, Manchester (12/03/2007 at 16:25)

Whast is this game all about, United werent even the first English team to play in Europe or win a European trophy.

David (12/03/2007 at 16:57)

here's to gerrard smashing one through ronaldo's head and rooney getting stamped on by carra!

ronaldinho blew you out TWICE.
come on smoggies 1/4 final replay!

Sean, NYXMC (12/03/2007 at 17:23)

Weird article, not giving the squad details. Ah well, here they are:
The full Europe XI squad
Goalkeepers: Oliver Kahn, Grégory Coupet, Iker Casillas.
Defenders: Paolo Maldini, Jamie Carragher, Eric Abidal, Lilan Thuram, Carles Puyol, Marco Materazzi, Fabio Grosso.
Midfielders: Gianluca Zambrotta, Steven Gerrard, Juninho Pernambucano, Florent Malouda, Luis Miguel, Gennaro Gattuso, Andrea Pirlo.
Strikers: Ronaldinho, Ronaldo, Alessandro Mancini, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Henrik Larsson.
The surprise for me is Larsson, I thought he was going to be playing for MU...

Gerry, Glastonbury (12/03/2007 at 17:42)

Gerry, Glastonbury (12/03/2007 at 17:45)

What idiot scheduled the match at such an important time of the season. Who needs this meaningless exhibition match? At best it should have been done pre-season. Sorry, can't get excited about this one! Now Chelsea slipping up against City?

Chris Kenway (12/03/2007 at 18:11)

It cetainly is good to have this extra match to play at this particular moment in the season isn't it?
I wonder who the genius was that scheduled it for now--instead of, perhaps, during the pre-season?

Demo, Glossop (12/03/2007 at 18:23)

David your a muppet! And i think u will find carra already stamped on rooney - something he will get payback for before the season is out. How the hell does carragher get in the europe xi anyway? hes a naff bin dipper! As for gerrard he will have a job when he goes off injured with a bad back when Vidic flying kicks him watch out bin dippers.

Whaley Bridge Cynic, Whaley Bridge (12/03/2007 at 19:25)

Did anyone notice the Barca fans taking photo's of the Kop at the end of the game?
Can any of you United muppets spell respect?

Loyal to the End (31 years, City Fans, 31 years), Nottingham, ex-Malaysia (13/03/2007 at 00:14)

Stephen Woodland, actually we WERE the first English team to lift the European Cup.. But this has nothing to do with that, it's prolly cz we're the only team that's willing to host a friendly in a middle of a hectic schedule... In any case guys, let's look at the bright side, this is a brilliant opportunity for Smith to get some playing time under his belt, and not bad sparring partners, i might add..

Loyal to the End (31 years, City Fans, 31 years), Nottingham, ex-Malaysia (13/03/2007 at 00:16)

Whaley Bridge, you registered for the Manchester Evening News to tell us some Spaniards took photos of the Kop End? How long have you been here anyway? Didn't know you graduated from Wenger's School of Voyeurism.. Can any of you scouse muppets spell "self-indulgent"?

Birdy, Ireland (13/03/2007 at 08:53)

Whaley Bridge they probably just wanted to take some photos of it before it bulldozed to the ground

ocnorb, wythenshawe (13/03/2007 at 09:49)

is this match to celebrate 50 years since united scrounged once again off their near neighbours because they were too tight to pay for floodlights ? still it is a great tradition that started with billy meredith , ground sharing in the 40,s - denis law in the 60,s - wyn davies in the 70,s up to ryan giggs today . city have always been philanthropic and what thanks do they get ? nowt !! except derision from halfwits - any chance they can take stuart pearce as an apology ???

Steve in Brussels (13/03/2007 at 09:56)

To the scouser - shock horror, a visiting tourist takes a photo! I took a picture of a 10 ft Ronald McDonald in Singapore but I can assure you I have no respect for this mascot of cheaply produced process burgers. The question on why the game is on - it is something to do with the anniversary of the Treaty of Rome or something? Why Old Trafford - probably the decision-makers in the organising committee are United fans and United were willing to stage the game. Had they been Spaniards or Italians it could have been the Nou Camp or San Siro.

stu, london (13/03/2007 at 11:46)

Demo, brilliant!

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