A European XI coached by Marcello Lippi will play Manchester United FC at Old Trafford next March in a match staged to commemorate two important European milestones, it was announced on Saturday.
The celebratory event has been scheduled to mark the 50th anniversary of the Treaty of Rome which, on 25 March 1957, formally laid the foundations for a united Europe and the jubilee of United's involvement in the European Champion Clubs' Cup. United were the first English team to enter what has now become the continent's most elite club competition and their involvement, which was begun by Sir Matt Busby's 'Busby Babes' in the 1956/57 season, has run in parallel with the lifespan of the European Union.
Old Trafford will be the setting for the match, scheduled to take place on Tuesday 13 March between Sir Alex Ferguson's side and a European XI featuring star players from UEFA's member associations who have made contributions to the success of the UEFA Champions League and coached by FIFA 2006 World Cup-winning coach Lippi.
"I accepted the invitation immediately," said Lippi at a press conference at Old Trafford. "I'm delighted by the prospect of such a game and I am already looking forward to taking on my great friend Sir Alex Ferguson." The Italian coach will select the European squad and will have UEFA's Technical Director, Andy Roxburgh, as his assistant. "I think this is an excellent way of combining two celebrations and commemorating the 50th birthday of the European Union," said UEFA's Chief Executive, Lars-Christer Olsson.
"The best of European football will be on show in Manchester next March to mark the 50th anniversary of the creation of the European Union," added European Commission President José Manuel Barroso. "There is no better way to showcase the European Union at 50 than through Europe's favourite sport that unites Europeans in a unique way, through a passion we all share and a language we all speak." United have won the European Champion Clubs' Cup on two occasions, the first a 4-1 victory against SL Benfica in the 1967-68 season, the second a 2-1 win against FC Bayern München at the end of season 1998/99.