Beckham invited back to OT

David Beckham has been named as the first player on Marcello Lippi's list as the Italian coach builds his European XI to take on United.UEFA's technical director Andy Roxburgh confirmed that Beckham has been invited - and cleared by his club, Real Madrid - to play in the prestigious charity match at Old Trafford. The friendly on 13 March will mark 50 years of a united Europe - the Treaty of Rome having been signed on 25 March 1957 - and also 50 years of United in Europe.Former Scotland boss Roxburgh is assisting Lippi in the mouthwatering task of picking a team from the 52 European nations. The Scot stressed that disruption to clubs will be kept to a minimum, with coaches like Barcelona's Frank Rijkaard and Lyon's Gerard Houllier typically sending one or two players apiece to join in the jubilee celebration. Lippi is hoping that some of his World Cup winning stars from Italy will take part. Sir Alex Ferguson confirmed the United team will be made up of current players, thus ruling out returns for the likes of Roy Keane and Eric Cantona.Details of how to get tickets for the match will be announced in due course.

09/12/2006 16:36 Report by Adam Bostock *courtesy of manutd.com*

this is a marvellous news..we love lippi and we definitely love this idea...this is a good news for beckham's fans who hv been longing to see him play in Old Trafford since ages, apart from friendlies of course. it's good to hear that someone's actually paying good attention on beckham's talent and lippi is one of them. we just can't wait for the game and giving our support for our beloved *dave.b*. he's a man made from steel, amazing footballer, master of set pieces, a very humble person, not forgetting a very doted dad. people hate him *especially from UK* coz he's not playing for england's teams anymore..what's the point on hating him when deep inside those ppl know that he's good at what's he's doing.

big round of applause for this magician,

*reyshafabrista*