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ROLLING BACK THE YEARS

Manchester United Legends 2 Barcelona Legends 2 (5-3 on agg): Ruud van Nistelrooy scores from the spot but Spaniards fight back from two goals down to earn share of the spoils at Old Trafford

But it was United who triumphed 5-3 on aggregate in the special legends game that raises money for charities

MANCHESTER UNITED triumphed 5-3 on aggregate against Barcelona after a 2-2 draw at Old Trafford today in a Legends game.

The Red Devils were 2-0 up at half-time, but the Catalans fought back valiantly in the second period to earn a share of the spoils.

 The two teams came together at the end of the game that has raised lots of money for charity
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The two teams came together at the end of the game that has raised lots of money for charityCredit: AFP
 Dion Dublin swapped TV for the football pitch today and was delighted to be on the winning team
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Dion Dublin swapped TV for the football pitch today and was delighted to be on the winning teamCredit: Reuters

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A minute’s silence took place before kick off and both teams wore black armbands to commemorate the recent terror attacks in both cities.

And one ex-Man United striker was taking his first step into management. Andrew Cole was the boss of the Red Devils outfit for today's charity clash.

Crowd favourite Ruud van Nistelrooy scored the opener from the spot, but it was Karel Poborsky who rolled back the years to win the penalty.

The Czech Republic man burst into the area only to be brought down, and then van Nistelrooy did the rest.

United were the better side in the first half, with van Nistelrooy, Ji-sung Park and Poborsky all impressing.

But Patrick Kluivert showed he still had skills in the locker when he came close to beating Edwin van der Sar from the half-way line with a cracking effort for the Spaniards.

 Ruud van Nistelrooy scored from the spot to give Manchester United an early lead
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Ruud van Nistelrooy scored from the spot to give Manchester United an early leadCredit: Getty Images - Getty
 Ruud van Nistelrooy is congratulated on his opener by striker partner Danny Webber
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Ruud van Nistelrooy is congratulated on his opener by striker partner Danny WebberCredit: Getty Images - Getty
 This was the moment Karel Poborsky took a tumble in the box to earn Man United a penalty
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This was the moment Karel Poborsky took a tumble in the box to earn Man United a penaltyCredit: AFP
 Danny Webber beautifully chipped the keeper to make it 2-0 to Manchester United
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Danny Webber beautifully chipped the keeper to make it 2-0 to Manchester UnitedCredit: Reuters
 Danny Webber was fleet of foot in the tie that helped him score United's second
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Danny Webber was fleet of foot in the tie that helped him score United's secondCredit: PA:Press Association

And with 37 minutes on the clock, it was 2-0.

Substitute Danny Webber, who had only been on the pitch for four minutes, danced his way into the box and superbly chipped the Barca keeper.

That took the aggregate score to 6-1 with Barca facing mission impossible to get back into it.

In the second half the Catalans improved remarkably, with Edgar Davids pulling the strings in midfield, but United's defence, marshalled by Ronny Johnsen, held firm.

And they got back into the second leg at least when former Liverpool winger Luis Garcia netted after Simao's strike crashed back off the post.

 Luis Garcia scored after seeing Simao's strike at goal bounce back off the post
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Luis Garcia scored after seeing Simao's strike at goal bounce back off the postCredit: Reuters
 And then Gaizka Mendieta tapped the ball home to secure a share of the spoils late on
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And then Gaizka Mendieta tapped the ball home to secure a share of the spoils late onCredit: Reuters
 Karel Poborsky tries to get to grips with Barcelona's Edgar Davids
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Karel Poborsky tries to get to grips with Barcelona's Edgar DavidsCredit: Reuters
 Patrick Kluivert almost scored from the halfway line for Barcelona in the first half
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Patrick Kluivert almost scored from the halfway line for Barcelona in the first halfCredit: PA:Press Association

And things were all square just minutes later when Gaizka Mendieta practically rolled the ball home after some bizarre goalkeeping from ex-Red Devil Raimond Van der Gouw.

In the first leg, Barca hero Ronaldinho stole the show but only after Dwight Yorke rolled back the years with a screamer.

The former Red Devils striker, 45, drove one in from 25 yards as United ran out 3-1 winners at the Nou Camp.

And it was further goals from Jesper Blomqvist and Karel Poborsky against a sole Frederic Behu strike for the hosts that sealed the win in the charity match.

The two-legged tie is raising money for the Manchester United Foundation, which works with young people across Greater Manchester.

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 Andrew Cole managed the Man United legends team that included Ruud van Nistelrooy
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Andrew Cole managed the Man United legends team that included Ruud van NistelrooyCredit: Reuters
 Edgar Davids showed he still has the skills as he impressed for Barcelona legends at Old Trafford
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Edgar Davids showed he still has the skills as he impressed for Barcelona legends at Old TraffordCredit: PA:Press Association

Manchester United squad: Edwin van der Sar, Raimond van der Gouw, Russell Beardsmore, Jesper Blomqvist, Wes Brown, Andy Cole (manager), Bojan Djordjic, Dion Dublin, Denis Irwin, Ronny Johnsen, Ji-sung Park, Karel Poborsky, Louis Saha, Mikael Silvestre, Ben Thornley, Ruud van Nistelrooy, Danny Webber, Dwight Yorke.

 The crowd at Old Trafford were treated to seeing some of their heroes strutting their stuff again
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The crowd at Old Trafford were treated to seeing some of their heroes strutting their stuff againCredit: PA:Press Association

Barcelona squad: Eric Abidal, Frederik Dehu, Luis Garcia, Xavi Guzman, Jesus Angoy, Gaizka Mendieta, Andoni Goicoetxea, Patrick Kluivert, Juan Carlos Moreno, Aloisio Pires, Juan Carlos Rodriguez, Simao Sabrosa, F.X. Sanchez Jara, Sergi Barjuan, Juliano Belletti, Jofre Mateu, Jose Edmilson, Edgar Davids.

 Both teams paid their respects to those killed in the Manchester and Barcelona terror attacks
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Both teams paid their respects to those killed in the Manchester and Barcelona terror attacksCredit: PA:Press Association
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