On Sunday, Old Trafford will welcome the Manchester United and Bayern Munich legends. If the first match was anything to go by, then the Theatre of Dreams could be in for quite a game.
What happened in the first game?
The first match, played in Bayern’s magnificent Allianz Arena, last August was a classic encounter between two of Europe’s footballing heavyweights. The match contained several of the stars who were involved on that famous night in Barcelona sixteen years ago. Denis Irwin, Ronny Johnsen, Dwight Yorke and Andy Cole were amongst the Manchester United contingent from that wonderful evening in May 1999. And it was Andy Cole who opened the scoring with an audacious backheel from Lee Martin’s cutback.
Paulo Sergio equalised two minutes later, sending Tomasz Kuszczak the wrong way, before former Brazilian forward Giovanne Elber put the hosts into the lead. Paul Scholes, who cruelly missed out on the 1999 Champions League final, restored parity by slotting home a pass from Dwight Yorke.
Alexander Zickler beat the offside trap to put Bayern back in front but Cole scored his second of the game with seven minutes remaining. His typically smart finish ensured the game finished 3-3 and that it would be all to play for in Manchester twelve months later.
Who will we see play?
As expected both sides are full of former players of legendary status. Man United’s player-manager Bryan Robson will be able to call upon the likes of Paul Scholes, Dion Dublin, Quinton Fortune, Dwight Yorke and Andy Cole as he did in Munich. Robson has been able to add players such as Edwin van der Sar, Jaap Stam, Ji-Sung Park and Louis Saha to his squad, players who won so much during their time at Old Trafford.
Paul Brietner’s Bayern Munich will be fielding former heroes such as Roy Maakay, Mark van Bommel and Alexander Zickler. His side also contain two ex-Manchester City players in Michael Tarnat and Daniel van Buyten.
Manchester United Legends: Edwin van der Sar, Raimond van der Gouw; Ronny Johnsen, Jaap Stam, Phil Neville, Denis Irwin, Dion Dublin, Clayton Blackmore, Lee Martin, Mikael Silvestre; Bryan Robson, Quinton Fortune, Jesper Blomqvist, Paul Scholes, Russell Beardsmore, Ben Thornley, Karel Poborsky, Ji-sung Park; Andy Cole, Dwight Yorke, Louis Saha, Andy Ritchie.
Bayern Munich All-Stars: Hans-Jorg Butt, Walter Junghans; Jorginho, Hans Pflugler, Oliver Kreuzer, Matthias Zimmermann, Daniel van Buyten, Michael Tarnat, Robert Kovac; Niko Kovac, Mark van Bommel, Marcel Witeczek, Paul Breitner, Maurizio Gaudino, Markus Schupp, Michael Sternkopf; Paulo Sergio, Roy Makaay, Michael Rummenigge, Alexander Zickler.
What have they said about the match?
Mark van Bommel, the ex-Bayern midfielder, has already spoken of his admiration for Paul Scholes, saying “I always looked with admiration to his intelligent movement and powerful shooting from long range. Also, his technical skills and accurate passing were remarkable. He is a true legend”. The battle between the pair in the centre of midfield could be essential to the outcome of the match.
Edwin van der Sar has spoken of looking forward to stepping out at the Theatre of Dreams once more. “Old Trafford is just a special place to play football and for me it’s the best ground in the world”. The former Dutch international, who is considered one of United’s greatest ever goalkeepers, also lavished praise on the home supporters calling them “one of a kind”.
It may be a charity match but Bryan Robson is determined to overcome Bayern Munich. “There’s camaraderie when the players meet each other again but they all want to win, even though it is a charity match”.
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