Manchester United legend David Beckham has named the players in his team who will all be involved in a charity match which is set to be played next month, Manchester Evening News reported. Beckham’s team includes a number of former English players from his playing days, who will be up against a team selected by France’s Zinedine Zidane.
We all know the 40-year-old has been supporting UNICEF since his days at Manchester United and now he is going to organize a friendly match on November 14th, during the international break - calling it the “Match for Children”. The match will also mark Beckham’s return to Old Trafford, the place where he plied his trade and earned worldwide recognition.
The former United player will be reunited with his former teammates and the team will be managed by none other than Sir Alex Ferguson himself. The Class of 92 includes the likes of Nicky Butt, Paul Scholes, Ryan Giggs, Phil Neville, who have all been named in the squad.
Although Beckham has named plenty of United players for the friendly match, he has not overlooked some legendary names from Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool - David Seaman, David James, Sol Campbell, Jamie Carragher, Ashley Cole, Michael Owen. Despite the recent toxic history Ferdinand and John Terry, they will be laying the rivalry aside and play on the same team.
“It’s incredible that we’re going to be bringing so many of the world’s greatest footballers together under one roof for this match.” Beckham said in an interview.
“All the players who will set foot on the Old Trafford turf know just how important this cause is and why UNICEF needs our support to help give children and young people a fair chance in life. This match is a fantastic opportunity to take steps forward and raise awareness and vital funds to help improve the lives of children across the world.”
The Great Britain and Ireland side are up against a Rest of the World XI, captained by French legend Zidane and manager Carlo Ancelotti. The former Real Madrid midfielder has named a star-studded squad ahead of the game which include big names such as Cafu, Fabio Cannavaro, Alessandro Nesta, Luis Figo, Ronaldinho, Patrick Viera, Michael Ballack, Massimo Ambrosini, Robert Pires, Patrick Kluivert and Landon Donovan.
It’s funny how Red Devils' Treble heroes Dwight Yorke and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, as well as 2008 Champions League hero Edwin Van der Sar, will all mark their return to the ‘Theatre of Dreams’ but not on the same side with their former teammates.
Nonetheless, all the football fans around the world are up for a real treat on November and we are all looking forward in witnessing our “old heroes” step foot on the turf of Old Trafford.