Members of the famed Class of ’92 will step onto the Old Trafford turf once more to play in the sold out Unicef Match for Children.
Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes and Nicky Butt have been confirmed to play and will join captain David Beckham on Saturday November 14 in a team to be managed by Sir Alex Ferguson.
United’s treble heroes Dwight Yorke, Andy Cole and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer are also included in a star-studded line-up, which includes 2008 Champions League hero Edwin van der Sar.
Other ex-England internationals and World Cup winners will be on show in the charity line-up, which will raise money for Unicef.
Former Liverpool men Michael Owen, who also spent time with United, and Jamie Carragher are included as are goalkeepers David Seaman and David James, plus defender Sol Campbell.
The match also reunites Rio Ferdinand with John Terry after both being involved in a race row in recent times.
Terry was suspended for four matches and fined by the Football Association for racially abusing Ferdinand’s brother, Anton, in 2012 but both are said to be on friendlier terms now.
Carlo Ancelotti’s Rest of the World team will be captained by three-time World Player of the Year Zinedine Zidane and also includes his fellow Frenchman Patrick Vieira, Portuguese great Luis Figo and the Brazilian Ronaldinho.
Beckham said: “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.
“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.
“Every day children across the world are at risk of violence, poverty and disease – I believe we can change this and take action to make sure children grow up safe from these dangers.
“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.”
Legendary Italian referee Pierluigi Collina will take charge of the sold-out match, which kicks off at 3pm.
GREAT BRITAIN & IRELAND: David Seaman, David James, Sol Campbell, John Terry, Phil Neville, Rio Ferdinand, Jamie Carragher, Ashley Cole, Nicky Butt, David Beckham (captain), Paul Scholes, Ryan Giggs, Michael Owen, Andy Cole.
REST OF THE WORLD: Edwin van der Saar, Cafu, Fabio Cannavaro, Alessandro Nesta, Patrick Vieira, Michael Ballack, Massimo Ambrosini, Robert Pires, Luis Figo, Ronaldinho, Zinedine Zidane (captain), Dwight Yorke, Patrick Kluivert, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Landon Donovan.
Image courtesy of Sean MacEntee, with thanks.
