Paul Scholes is the latest Manchester United player to sign up for the upcoming "Legends of the North" game against Liverpool.
The match, due to be played at Old Trafford on May 21, will feature several Champions League finalists on United's side. England international Scholes, who won the European trophy in 1999 and 2008, will be joined by 1999 champions Nicky Butt and Dwight Yorke and 2009 finalist Dimitar Berbatov, as well as Premier League winning midfielder Quinton Fortune.
Scholes only hung up his boots in 2013, while Berbatov was still going several years after that. However, the United stars of yesteryear are ready to return to the pitch against players with whom they held rivalries during their playing days, with former United star Bryan Robson in the dugout for the game.
“I remember my time at Old Trafford as a really special period in my career," Berbatov said. The Bulgarian, who also reached the Champions League final with Bayer Leverkusen in 2002,
“With this in mind, it’s fantastic to have the chance to relive this when I return to Manchester to play in the Legends of the North match in May. Fans still mention my hat-trick against Liverpool, so I know what this game means. It’s going to be a magnificent day!"
Berbatov's treble came early in the 2010-11 season, in a 3-2 victory over Liverpool. He ended that particular season as the top scorer in the Premier League with 20 goals, the same number as Manchester City's Carlos Tevez.
Who are you most looking forward to seeing in the legends game? Have your say in the comments section
The game, which is also due to feature Diego Forlan, Jaap Stam and Patrice Evra, will raise money for the Manchester United Foundation, and Yorke has spoken glowingly of the cause. The former Trinidad & Tobago international spent four seasons at Old Trafford, finishing with 65 goals, and also played Premier League football for Aston Villa, Blackburn Rovers, Birmingham City and Sunderland.
“Our Foundation supports children local to Greater Manchester and around the world doing a lot of good work," he said. "These exhibition matches help to raise funds to continue that work, so I really hope to see the fans come out and support us.
“Both sets of fans will get to see some of their all-time favourite players as well – it’s called Legends of the North because there is a history there with these players who have done wonderful things for these football clubs, in both teams. It should be a fantastic day.”
