Best photos from the UNICEF Match for Children at Old Trafford

David Beckham and Luis Figo – the two captains for the charity matchTwo sides with a number of legends managed by two legendary figures. The UNICEF match for children between Great Britain and Ireland XI and the Rest of the World XI at Old Trafford saw former and active footballers roll back the years.While the Rest of the World XI missed the midfield presence of two of their French stars n Zinedine Zidane and Patrick Vieira, who had declined to participate after the terror attacks in Paris a day before, it was still a game to savour on a rainy evening in Manchester. Ultimately, it was a Paul Scholes goal and a Michael Owen brace that saw the Sir Alex Ferguson managed side trump Carlo Ancelotti’s team 3-1.

#1 Pre-match

Old Trafford observed a minute’s silence for the victims of the Paris terror attacks that claimed the lives of more than a hundred people. Explosions had even rocked the Stade de France where France were playing a friendly game with Germany.

Sir Alex Ferguson was back in the home team’s dugout at Old Trafford once again as he was the manager of the Great Britain and Ireland XI. Captain David Beckham had said before the game that the match would not have been the same had the legendary Scot manager not agreed to sit in the hot seat one more time.

While he has been relaxing post his Real Madrid tenure, Carlo Ancelotti made a comeback for this game to manage the Rest of the World XI. Here he is pictured with Dwight Yorke, Mikael Silvestre and Robert Pires.

What if Ronaldinho had spent some time in the Premier League? Who would he have played for? The 35-year-old Brazilian may be over the hill and in the twilight of his career, but he hasn’t lost that iconic million mega-watt smile. Here he is seen with Sir Alex Ferguson who would have loved to manage him at Old Trafford back in the day.

#2 First Half

David Beckham was back at his old hunting ground with the #7 jersey that made him famous worldwide at the turn of the century. The former England captain was at his scintillating best (for a 40-year-old), sending in pinpoint crosses into the box. In fact, it was his cross that gave GB&I the first goal of the game.

Who else but United legend Paul Scholes to open the scoring. He, too, may be 40 years old, but that didn’t stop him from getting on the end of a Beckham cross and on the scoresheet with a header on target to beat another United great Edwin van der Sar. While he couldn’t score with his trademark half-volleys, this was still a goal that saw the crowd rise to its feet.

#3 More from the First Half

34-year-old Peter Crouch is still pretty active in the Premier League, albeit in a bit part role for Stoke City. But that didn’t stop him from trying an acrobatic shot in the first half – again from a Beckham cross. A veteran who has played over 600 games in club football and scored over 200 goals for club and country, the 6’7” striker isn’t done yet!

In the absence of Zidane, Luis Figo was given the captain’s armband for the RoW team and he was quick to get into the action in the first half. He did try a few ‘one-two’s with Ronaldinho while he battled with Ryan Giggs who took his familiar role on the left flank, making those mazy runs reminiscent of his glory days with United.

Robert Pires has won a Premier League title with Arsenal at Old Trafford in 2002. Not so lucky tonight for the 42-year-old Frenchman.

#4 Second half sees goals aplenty

Former Liverpool and Manchester United striker Michael Owen came on as a second-half substitute to replace Peter Crouch and he made an impact up front to double GB&I’s lead. Again, it was David Beckham who provided a cross from deep to find Paul Scholes on the left of the box, who cut it back into the six-yard box for Owen to dispatch in spite of a melee in the box. Owen would go on to score again in the second half.

Another former Manchester United player Dwight Yorke had helped RoW get on the scoresheet in the second half when he combined with Landon Donovan to score past a stranded David Seaman. It was a neat pass that found Donovan in the box and the American simply cut the ball back for Yorke to shoot into the far corner.

#5 A night to remember

Brooklyn Beckham came on as a substitute to replace father David Beckham in the charity match. Passing on the torch at Old Trafford? We’re not so sure since young Brooklyn is an Arsenal fan and even played for the Arsenal U-16 team and are regular visitors to the north London side’s games at the Emirates Stadium.

Not a common sight at Old Trafford, but more than the final score, it is the memories of a magical night that the fans will take home after this game. No analysis of what went right or wrong, no animosity and no qualms about conceding so many goals. Just the sight of their heroes on the pitch one last time. Wait, was that John Terry being substituted? Boooo!

#6 Post match

Good old father-son bonding on the Old Trafford pitch in front of thousands of fans. No pressure to follow in your father’s footsteps, Brooklyn!

Just another day in the office for 73-year-old Sir Alex Ferguson. Although it is surprising to see Carlo Ancelotti without a raised eyebrow after a 3-1 loss, pondering what went wrong for his Rest of the World side.

Wait, is the match over already?