For an instant, it was 1999 all over again. David Beckham swung in a cross with meticulous accuracy. Paul Scholes, belying his comparatively short stature with a wonderful natural leap, timed his header perfectly. The ball nestled in the net. Sir Alex Ferguson grinned in the Old Trafford dugout.
It was an occasion to suit the nostalgic. For those too young to remember Manchester United’s Treble winners, it was a chance to glimpse a piece of history. More importantly, in the broader scheme of things, it was a day to raise millions. Beckham is an ambassador for Unicef and the Match for Children should prove highly profitable for the charity. His Great Britain and Ireland side beat a Rest of the World XI 3-1, but those are not the most significant numbers.
The cast list featured World Cup and Champions League winners, Real Madrid and Barcelona luminaries, of most of the United greats of Beckham’s era and a sprinkling of former England team-mates. Yet he represented the draw for the majority of those present. There was a notable rise in the decibel level whenever Beckham touched the ball. Such is his enduring appeal that he retains the capacity to overshadow some of the most decorated players of his generation.
He left United in 2003 and retired in 2013, but remains the star turn. His fame brought a different public to Old Trafford, many of the capacity crowd seeking to film as much as possible on camera-phones.
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He received a standing ovation simply for taking a corner. It was unnecessary: his other contributions were far worthier of applause. He remains formidably fit, still possesses a wand of a right foot and delivered a stream of inviting crosses. Another led to the second goal, Scholes volleying it back to Michael Owen, who finished at the second attempt.
But Beckham has been a stranger to these parts. His appearances at Old Trafford have been rarities since his move to Real Madrid. He remains treasured in these parts. So, seemingly, are his family. He was substituted for his son, Brooklyn, who was granted a similarly loud reception. The teenager is yet to earn their adoration but, before an overpowering brand of celebrity distorted opinions of him, Beckham senior was the United fan who, with natural ability and prodigious work rate, realised his childhood dream of playing for the club.
He did so with a group of friends who developed from youth players to become European champions. This was a reunion. Only Gary Neville of the Class of ’92 was missing, his coaching duties with England precluding him from joining his brother Phil, Beckham, Nicky Butt, Paul Scholes and Ryan Giggs. Only Butt, who tore his Achilles, could not savour proceedings. Giggs, swerving past a series of opponents in one run, appeared as timeless as ever.
So, too, the sight of his mentor in the dugout. Sir Alex Ferguson occupied the Old Trafford technical area for the first time since his final home match in charge, 2013’s 2-1 win over Swansea. He wandered out, chuckling and deep in conversation with Carlo Ancelotti, the coach of the Rest of the World XI. His admiration for the Italian is evident, and the temptation was to wonder if past and future United managers were side by side.
Ferguson scribbled notes; even a friendly required a level of attention from a consummate professional. He emerged a winner even in retirement with Owen scoring his second, and his side’s third, after Dwight Yorke had halved the deficit. Ancelotti, however, was denied of two of his trump cards. Zinedine Zidane and Patrick Vieira withdrew following the atrocities in Paris that left at least 127 people dead. This was a reminder that football can be a force for good. All such are welcome in times like these.
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