A Manchester United legends XI beat a Portsmouth team 9-5 in a goal-filled pre-season friendly, with some guest players joining Champions League winner Wes Brown in the United squad.

Brown, who became a European champion in 1999 and 2008 and starred on Reach’s Euro Thrash podcast during Euro 2024, was one of the more decorated figures in the United XI. Cup Winners Cup champion Lee Martin was also part of the side, as was Chris Eagles – a goalscorer during United’s 2006-07 title run-in.

The game – not an official ‘Legends’ fixture – took place at AFC Portchester’s OnSite Group Stadium in front of just 1,000 fans. Those who turned up were treated to plenty of goals as Swansea legend Lee Trundle, one of the guest stars representing United, ran the show as the Reds claimed victory.

The exhibition match was organised to support children’s cancer charity Sophie’s Legacy. Those on the Portsmouth team included Brett Pitman, who won the EFL Trophy with Pompey and spent time on Portchester’s books after leaving Fratton Park.

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If you looked at the photo of United’s squad and couldn’t immediately place some of the faces, there’s a reason for that. And it’s not just because some look a little different compared to during their playing days.

A couple of auction winners got the chance to pull on a United shirt and join the likes of Brown, Martin, Eagles and ‘Class of 92’ star Keith Gillespie. And then there were those without a United connection who nevertheless took to the field.

One of those was Colin Hendry, part of the Blackburn squad which denied Alex Ferguson’s team the league title in 1995. Also involved were Trundle, former Leeds defender Matt Kilgallon and ex-West Brom goal-getter Lee Hughes.

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A Manchester United legends XI which took on Portsmouth ( 
Image:
Twitter/AFCPortchester)
On the Portsmouth side, Pitman wasn’t the only familiar face. Alan Knight – who spent more than 20 years at Fratton Park – was in goal, while the likes of Guy Butters and Paul Robinson also featured.

The eagle-eyed will have spotted United’s legends squad were wearing last season’s kit for the game. The new shirt has been debuted already by Erik ten Hag’s first-teamers, who began their pre-season preparations with a defeat against Rosenborg and a victory against Rangers.

Next up for United is a trio of matches in the United States during a pre-season tour. They begin with a match against Arsenal in Los Angeles, before facing Real Betis in San Diego and Liverpool in Columbia, South Carolina.

“Yeah, we have three games, three competitive games and the fans will be there, I know,” said new signing Leny Yoro, who made his debut against Rangers. “With the team, we will give everything to win this game.”