After several weeks of suspense, the final names to be confirmed are Oliver Kahn, Iker Casillas, Paolo Maldini, Marco Materazzi, Fabio Grosso, Florent Malouda, Luis Miguel, Gennaro Gattuso, Andrea Pirlo, Ronaldo, Alessandro Mancini, Zlatan Ibrahimović and Henrik Larsson. These players will join those already named in the squad: Ronaldinho, Steven Gerrard, Grégory Coupet, Juninho Pernambucano, Lilian Thuram, Carles Puyol, Eric Abidal and Gianluca Zambrotta, completing a veritable European dream team.
Kicking off at 8pm local time, the match will be shown live on national broadcasters* in most EU member countries and beyond.
At a press conference led by the president of the European Commission, José Manuel Barroso, new UEFA president Michel Platini, United director Sir Bobby Charlton and Marcello Lippi, former manager of Italy, were lavish in their praise for the event, highlighting the parallel between football and European integration.
"Football brings people together" said Platini. "In a continent so proud of its cultural diversity, football offers a common language. It helps bridge gaps between different communities. At its best, football conveys some of Europe's basic values: the rule of law, respect for others, freedom of expression, teamwork and solidarity. I feel very proud that UEFA has been able to organise this special match".
Sir Bobby added "The history of Manchester United is tied up with that of Europe. Some of the club's greatest moments have been played out on a European stage. I look forward to welcoming so many stars and friends to Old Trafford to celebrate these two significant anniversaries".
Of the 72 000 tickets on sale for the match, just 2 000 are left. Fans can still buy these via the Manchester United site.
All proceeds from the event will go to United's charitable foundation.
*Belgium: RTBF, VRT
Bulgaria: BNT
Cyprus: CBC, Lumière TV
Czech Republic: Sport 1 TV
France: France 4
Germany: ARD, ZDF
Greece: ERT
Hungary: Sport 1 TV
Italy: RAI
Lithuania: LT
Poland: TVP
Portugal: RTP
UK: BBC 3
Ireland: RTE 2
Romania: TV Sport + Sport 1 TV
Slovakia: Sport 1 TV
Spain: TVE
Across Europe: USP
Football and charity united
50 years of Europe united and United in Europe
