Sunday, 2 June 2013

Fergie marks Old Trafford return with a Mexican wave as Scot joins Scholes, Zidane and Figo at United and Madrid legends showpiece

Sign him up: Sir Alex Ferguson pens his autograph for fans before the match



Sir Alex Ferguson watched on from the stands - and took part in a Mexican wave - as Old Trafford hosted a Legends match for charity against Real Madrid.

A number of star names from the two clubs' illustrious past turned out for what was a highly enjoyable game at a sun-drenched Old Trafford for the Manchester United's Red Heart United charity. Bryan Robson took charge of the English side.


More than 60,000 fans turned up as the match that ended 2-1 to Real Madrid.







JLS, Amelia Lily and Tinchy Stryder performed before the match.



THE LEGENDS:



Manchester United: Van der Sar, van der Gouw; Berg, Blackmore, Irwin, Johnsen, Martin, Stam; Fortune, Robson, Scholes, Sharpe; Cole, van Nistelrooy, Yorke.

Real Madrid: Contreras, Sanchez; Cannavaro, Helguera, Hierro, Pavon, Salgado, Sanz; Amavisca, De la Red, Figo, McManaman, Makelele, Zidane; Alfonso, Butragueno, Morientes, van Nistelrooy.


A number of players who have graced the English shores were in the Real Madrid line up, including Michel Salgado, Claude Makelele, Fernando Hierro, and the goalscorer Morientes, while another former world star, Luis Figo, orchestrated from the wing.



For United Denis Irwin, Ronny Johnsen, Jaap Stam, Clayton Blackmore, Quinton Fortune and Lee Sharpe also starred, but Ferguson's deadly Treble-winning strike partnership of Andy Cole and Dwight Yorke couldn't roll back the years and failed to get on the scoresheet.







Former Liverpool striker Fernando Morientes opened the scoring for Real and Ruud van Nistelrooy, who played half for each team, equalised for United.



Seconds after Dwight Yorke hit the bar Ruben de la Red scored a brilliant chip with just five minutes left to win the game for the visitors.



Edwin van der Sar was excellent for United saving a string of shots and received a standing ovation when he was replaced by Raymond van der Gouw in the second half.









Paul Scholes, who has only just retired, was of course influential in the middle for United, while three-time World Player of the Year Zinedine Zidane proved he has lost none of the skill and vision that made him one of the best players of the last generation.

Steve McManaman, of course a former Liverpool player, was booed in jest every time he touched the ball.

2 comments:

  1. Nice 2 c d great ones back doin great thins in a great stadium!

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  2. CLAUDE MAKELELE!! Miss all dis dudes, those were d days wen futball was all abt Joga Bonito!

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