The date marks the 15-year anniversary of the Old Trafford event, as the UEFA Celebration Match raised a seven-figure sum for the club's Foundation and signalled the start of its inspiring work with the local community and beyond.
Marcello Lippi managed the opposition, while Sir Alex Ferguson selected from his first-team squad, although former striker Andy Cole, then of Portsmouth, made a return as a guest player, starting on the bench.
Henrik Larsson captained the visitors, with his short-term loan deal with the Reds having just expired.
Wayne Rooney opened the scoring early on, converting a pass by Paul Scholes, before Wes Brown doubled the lead by capitalising on some excellent work by Ryan Giggs.