Ronaldinho, Beckham to face United

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MANCHESTER, England -- Twice World Player of the Year Ronaldinho has been confirmed in a Europe squad to play Manchester United in a jubilee charity match on March 13.

The Brazil forward will be joined by Barcelona team mates Carles Puyol, Lilian Thuram and Gianluca Zambrotta in a squad to be overseen by Italy's World Cup-winning coach Marcello Lippi.

Real Madrid's former England midfielder David Beckham will return to Old Trafford as part of the European selection.

The match celebrates the 50th anniversary of both United's participation in European football and the Treaty of Rome, which led to the formation of modern Europe through the Common Market.

"It promises to be a fantastic occasion with Ronaldinho and David Beckham facing our Manchester United team," said former England forward Bobby Charlton, now a United director. "It's one of those rare opportunities to see European football's finest players together on one pitch."

The players chosen so far are: David Beckham (Real Madrid), Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher (both Liverpool), Eric Abidal, Gregory Coupet and Juninho (all Lyon), Ronaldinho, Carles Puyol, Gianluca Zambrotta, Lilian Thuram (all Barcelona).

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