Press Release: Playing for Europe: Football stars unite to celebrate 50 years of the European Union

The best of European football will be on show in Manchester on 13 March 2007 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the signature of the Treaty of Rome setting up the modern-day European Union. Coinciding with the 50th anniversary of their participation as the first English team to play UEFA’s European club competition, Manchester United will play a Europe XI to be coached by Italian World Cup winner Marcello Lippi. The Europe XI squad includes many of the Italian World Cup winning squad, Barcelona and Liverpool Captains, Carles Puyol and Steven Gerrard. Three Brazilian stars, Ronaldinho, Ronaldo and Juninho Pernambucano will also play as guests for the Europe XI.