MAN UNITED LEGENDS 1, CELTIC LEGENDS 1
(Celtic won 5-4 on penalties)
Wayne Rooney turned back the clock with a stunning goal for Manchester United in the legends match against Celtic at Old Trafford.
It was not enough to guarantee victory, though, as Celtic triumphed on penalties after the game ended 1-1 after 90 minutes.
Nine of the 10 spot kicks were converted, including one from Rooney, but Danny Webber had the crucial miss as his effort was saved by Lukasz Zaluska.
The 38-year-old Rooney, the Reds’ record scorer, may have lost pace but his quality remains.
Rooney put United ahead in the 42nd minute with a spectacular strike, a free kick from 22 yards which was bent over the defensive wall and found the top corner with keeper Artur Boruc rooted to the spot.
United could have added to their haul in the opening period as Michael Carrick, Rooney and Dimitar Berbatov all had decent chance.
Berbatov struck the frame of the goal early in the second half before Celtic equalised just after the hour.
Stiliyan Petrov’s 25-yard drive hit the bar and rebounded to Gary Hooper who had a simple tap-in.
The biggest cheer of the afternoon came when Paul Scholes made his entrance in the 63rd minute.
Danny Simpson had a great chance to find a winner for the Reds, but Zaluska pulled off a super save to tip over his goalbound effort.
And with the game ending all square, it was settled by a penalty shootout which was won by the Scots.
The match, a fundraiser for Manchester United Foundation, brought together players from as early in the 1990s.
The age range of the Reds’ starting line-up was between the ages of 61-year-old goalkeeper Raimond van der Gouw and Simpson a mere 37.
Celtic’s spread was Petrov and Jan Venegoor of Hesselink, both aged 45, while Jonny Hayes and Joe Ledley were 37.