United better than rest of Europe

Manchester United beat a star-studded Europe side 4-3 in a fundraising match to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Treaty of Rome and the Red Devils’ half century of play in European soccer

Manchester United beat a star-studded Europe side 4-3 in a fundraising match to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Treaty of Rome and the Red Devils’ half century of play in European soccer on Tuesday.

Wayne Rooney scored twice in the first half for United and Europe’s El-Hadji Diouf netted the only goals of the second period. But the teams played at a leisurely pace and rarely entertained the frustrated 74,000-sellout crowd.

It took a halftime address by former United star David Beckham to spark the fans into life. Injury forced Beckham to pull out of the Europe XI, but he used to occasion to thank the club he left in 2003 after 14 years. In July he leaves Real Madrid for the Los Angeles Galaxy of Major League Soccer.

Lippi, Italy’s World Cup-winning coach, was forced to recruit from nearby Liverpool and Bolton as injuries forced a raft of star names —including Brazilians Ronaldinho and Ronaldo — to withdraw from the continental squad. United manager Alex Ferguson fielded a mostly full-strength side in the first half.

It took Rooney just five minutes to score the game’s first goal, with perhaps his easiest effort of the season. Paul Scholes slotted the ball directly through a motionless European defence to the England striker who had only Canizares to beat.

Wes Brown doubled United’s lead within five minutes after Santiago Canizares fumbled a save from a soft pass across the goalmouth from Giggs.

Lyon’s Florent Malouda struck from close range in the 22nd to bring the Europeans back in the tie. In the 35th United’s Cristiano Ronaldo sent a free kick flying into the roof of the net from 30 meters.

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With five minutes of the half remaining, Inter Milan’s Zlatan Ibrahimovic won a penalty but his effort rebounded off the crossbar.On the stroke of halftime, Rooney scored again from 10 meters to give United a 4-1 lead. Ronaldo burst through the center of the European side who passed to Rooney.

Both coaches made switches at the break and European substitute Diouf made an impact in the 56th, heading past United substitute stopper Tom Heaton to make it 4-2. With three minutes left, Bolton’s Senegalese striker scored again, with a cleverly struck penalty.