DAVID BECKHAM WAS the star of the show as his ‘UNICEF Match for Children’ went down a treat at a packed Old Trafford on Saturday.
Over two years on from his last match for Paris Saint-Germain and now aged 40, the former England international provided a reminder of his on-field prowess as well as his star quality.
Alex Ferguson’s Great Britain and Ireland team won 3-1 against Carlo Ancelotti’s Rest of the World outfit in a game that had more than its fair share of memorable moments as a lively crowd lapped it up.
Beckham, who started his storied career at Manchester United, had already received a rapturous reception prior to the match when he addressed the crowd to thank them for supporting the charity clash he had played a key role in organising.
He was greeted by a standing ovation and flashbulbs galore every time he went over to take a corner and had a positive influence on the match itself, as well as delighting the fans with his presence alone.
United supporters in attendance were treated to a trip down memory lane after 13 minutes when Beckham’s perfectly weighted cross from the right was met in the box by Paul Scholes – who timed his run to perfection – to head home, prompting a wide smile from Ferguson in the dugout.
He also had a hand in GB and Ireland’s second goal, finding Scholes at the back post, who in turn set up another ex-United player Michael Owen to finish from six yards.
Beckham then provided the pass for Ashley Cole in the closing minutes, with the defender’s cutback missed by Raimond van der Gouw to give Owen the easiest of braces.
Dwight Yorke had made it 2-1 with a neat finish. Other players to impress included Ronaldinho, who came tantalisingly close to playing his football at United before opting to join Barcelona from PSG.
He displayed a string of tricks and flicks throughout the match and almost embarrassed ex-England keeper David Seaman with a late chip, after infamously beating the same player with a free-kick for Brazil back at World Cup 2002.
Meanwhile, Cafu, 45, was more than a match for Roma defender Cole in an ongoing battle down that flank.
But this was Beckham’s day and he had the full array of trademarks on show – pinpoint crosses from the right, sweeping long-range passes and threatening corners to create a string of chances for the likes of Scholes, Owen, Darren Fletcher and Peter Crouch.
And there was a touching moment when he was replaced by his son Brooklyn in the 76th minute, before he came back on to share the field with his first born for the final eight minutes.
Beckham warmly embraced players from both sides after the full-time whistle and took the acclaim of Old Trafford once more as he thanked the supporters and posed for photos with Brooklyn.
Anyone seen Mel?
@TheHospitalPass: he’s preparing the appeal
@TheHospitalPass: remember he said that Tyrone and Kerry are the top 2 teams in the country a few days ago. What a genius
Derry broke the Tyrone code,did I get that right mel.
@Stephen Doherty: lots on here have made similar statements
@TheHospitalPass: Mel who?
@Joe Healy: Mel who pipes up when Tyrone win but goes missing when they lose in the championship. He’s good craic
@Kevin Mullin: always here
@TheHospitalPass: I’m here unlike you
@Stephen Doherty: we still are
@mel roberts: Hard luck to Tyrone Mel, they were worthy champions last year and at least they have a second chance.
Best team by far. Tyrone just relying on physicality and as usual made a balls of it. 2 red cards is typical of this outfit. If they don’t sort out their tackles, this will be repeated probably against Sligo. Well done Derry
@Noel Lynn: 2 absolutely ridiculous reds to give away, especially the first one. How can you lose your head that easily
@Noel Lynn: it’s a very hard game to tackle fairly in.
@Noel Lynn: mayo v Tyrone in the qualifiers would be a juicy one
@Finnster: ya was just thinking same
Great game from Derry, well on top all over. Will give Ulster some rattle now. Tyrone haven’t been really been at it this year and the back door will be tough this year. Thought the Kennedy red was pretty soft but at the same time it’s not the first time we’ve seen them in trouble with discipline. Works for them some days, caught today.
Tyrone discipline is an absolute disgrace. Week in week out they are involved in brawls and getting red cards for fun. Seems to be every week they are appealing another card. Conor McKenna the usual suspect and once again delivered in getting his red. Pathetic and an awful influence especially for the young players. Would not let me son watch them play, not for the red cards because he’d know better, but for the tragic approach taken. No wonder nobody watches anymore.
@Stanley: In the words of an adopted Derry girl “You might want to think about wising up”.
Might have been better accepting their bans and trying to learn from them
Tyrone might consider the Tailteann cup after that display!
@Desheen: Not Good Enough fir it
Something not right in the Tyrone camp. Fellas quitting the panel, other players publicly criticising fellas for leaving the panel..haven’t been at it this year.
C’mon, Mel. Spill the beans..
Cliques, favoritism, club clashes..?
Derry were always going to be a tough one, the sort of game were ypu need to dig in and get a result. Didnt happen, Derry played well, bossed the midfield and we were petulant. Two red cards that an u11 would be embarressed by. Better team won, fair play Derry but you get these days with us, also get All Ireland finals though.
Please,please can we outlaw the back pass in gaelic football,destroying the game,and the enjoyment thereof
Jesus, first round of qualifiers gonna have Mayo, Tyrone, Armagh, Clare, Monaghan/Derry, possibly Dublin or Kildare depending on the draw.
@Alan Kenny: provincials are so last year. Qualifiers are where the cool teams play their football
@Desheen: Rte gonna be raging
Remember seeing Derry playing in the 50s.and in particular 1958 I think it was,with Jim McKeever and the Cribbin’s ,that team was magic,didn’t win much,no Derry come near since,maybe this team has ‘it’
@Sean Doheny: Didn’t a Derry team not win the All-Ireland in 1993 with a famous team?
@Sean Doheny: you alright there Sean. As far as I remember Derry won an All Ireland in 1993 would you believe. Star studded team they had too.
Where the hell is Mel!??
@Billy Davies: the man is entitled to have a few pints and reflect
@John O Reilly: in Sally’s I’d say
@Tom kenny: was in parkhead yesterday. Watched that shambles from Glasgow thank god
I’ve been in glasgow watching Celtic win the league. I’ll front up. Seen this coming. Fair play Derry. Onto the next. I’m still here unlike hospital pass
Derry bring a dog fight & Tyrone needed that. They are miles from where they need to be and evident from the league. They’ll need to cop on fairly quick or they’ll be dumped out of the qualifiers.
@archie bald henry: no dog fight today. Derry just better today in all areas in fairness.
@Mel Kilcoo would beat Tyrone :)
Derry won in 1993 alright,but weren’t near as magic as the 58 team (my opinion)
I was at parkhead today. Shite Jobby!! I’m here give me pelters it’s deserved!! Seen it coming. We are still gonna win the all Ireland
@mel roberts: Fair play Mel. Take the bad with the good. Derry deserved the win.
Tyrone usually don’t follow up their all Ireland winning years with another the following year. It’s next year I’d be watching out for ye.
@mel roberts:
Fair play on travelling to Celtic Park today.
Hail Hail and up the Dubs.