The best of European football will be on show in Manchester on Tuesday to mark the 50th anniversary of the signature of the Treaty of Rome setting up the modern-day European Union (EU).

Manchester United will play Europe XI to be coached by Italian World Cup winner Marcello Lippi, said the European Commission on Monday.

The match coincides with the 50th anniversary of Manchester United's participation as the first English team to play UEFA's European club competition.

The Europe XI squad includes many of the Italian World Cup winning squad, Barcelona and Liverpool Captains, Carles Puyol and Steven Gerrard.

Three Brazilian stars, Ronaldinho, Ronaldo and Juninho Pernambucano will also play as guests for Europe XI.

Lending his personal support to the initiative, European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso said: "Throughout my childhood, I had the pleasure to watch the great Manchester teams play in Europe. It is a great way to mark the 50th anniversary of the creation of the European Union through the great game of football. It inspires Europeans in a unique way, through a shared passion and a language understood by all."

UEFA President Michel Platini said: "Football brings people together. In a continent so proud of its cultural diversity, football offers a common language. It helps to integrate different communities."

Representing Manchester United, Sir Bobby Charlton said: "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."

The Europe XI squad for the match currently includes Olivier Kahn, Gregory Coupet, Iker Casillas, Paolo Maldini, Jamie Carragher, Eric Abidal, Lilan Thuram, Carles Puyol, Marco Materazzi, Fabio Grosso, Gianluca Zambrotta, Steven Gerrard, Juninho Pernambucano, Florent Malouda, Luis Miguel, Gennaro Gattuso, Andrea Pirlo, Ronaldinho, Ronaldo, Alessandro Mancini, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Henrik Larsson.

March 25 marks the 50th anniversary of the signature of the Treaty of Rome that founded the modern-day EU.

Source: Xinhua