Beckham to play in Neville testimonial

Posted Monday, May 23, 2011 by Supersport.com

Los Angeles Galaxy on Sunday gave the green light for David Beckham to play in former Manchester United teammate Gary Neville's testimonial on Tuesday.

The Major League Soccer side's technical director Bruce Arena said he had personally made the decision to let former England star Beckham return to Old Trafford to play in the match between a United selection and Juventus, a repeat of the 1999 Champions League semifinal.

The Galaxy will allow Beckham to miss an MLS match against Houston Dynamo on Wednesday before returning in time for a May 28 match against New England Revolution.

Beckham and Neville were, along with current United veterans Paul Scholes and Ryan Giggs, members of United's celebrated 'Class of 92', a youth side that produced players who would later appear in the trophy-winning senior teams put together by manager Sir Alex Ferguson.

Former England skipper Beckham has not pulled on a United shirt since leaving the club for Real Madrid in 2003.

The 'Class of 92' swiftly matured to win six Premier League titles, two FA Cups and the 1999 Champions League, which capped a treble-winning season.

Neville's brother Phil, who joined Everton in 2005, will also be back at Old Trafford for the Juve encounter, when Gary Neville, 36, will end his 18-year United career.

He played his final senior game at West Brom in January.

In total Neville, who made his United debut as a 17-year-old against Torpedo Moscow, made 602 appearances for the club he has supported all his life, won eight Premier League titles, three FA Cups, two League Cups and the 1999 Champions League.

In addition, the defender won 85 England caps.