The Times:
Emanuel Pogatetz would not have approved. The Middlesbrough defender had berated Cristiano Ronaldo earlier in the day for insulting his fellow professionals with his constant repertoire of step-overs, feints and flicks, but whatever Pogatetz's gripe, few supporters would disagree that those tricks served only to illuminate Old Trafford last night.
A commemorative match to mark the 50th anniversary of Manchester United's first foray into Europe, and the Treaty of Rome, may have been a chance to reflect on the club's past, with David Beckham's first return to Old Trafford for a United match since his acrimonious departure four years ago heightening the sense of nostalgia for the 72,000 present.
But it was a dazzling appearance from the man Sir Alex Ferguson signed as a replacement for Beckham that served to remind United supporters how rosy the future will look if Ronaldo continues to be a part of it.
It seems increasingly likely that the Portugal winger will sign a new contract, with David Gill, the club's chief executive, expressing confidence yesterday that the player would stay for at least another five years.
Few watching last night would doubt why United are prepared to make him one of highest earners in the Barclays Premiership on £120,000 a week. A wonderful 30-yard free kick capped a dazzling 45-minute cameo from Ronaldo, during which time he ran ragged a Europe XI boasting some of the world's best players, including Andrea Pirlo and Gennaro Gattuso, of AC Milan.
United won a highly entertaining game 4-3, with Wayne Rooney also getting on the scoresheet with two goals.
Ronaldo's free kick was especially well-received by Beckham. As the former England captain made his way to the field at half-time to address the home fans, even he might have been forced to admit that the present incumbent of the No 7 shirt is a rare talent.
Both, however, have overcome adversity to flourish at United, with Beckham using the appearance to thank United fans for "saving" his career in the wake of the 1998 World Cup finals, when he was publicly vilified after his sending-off against Argentina.
Ronaldo, of course, has endured similar abuse this season after the role he was perceived to have played in Wayne Rooney's sending-off in Portugal's World Cup quarter-final against England last summer and that infamous wink, although it appears that it is not only fans who fume at his theatrics.
Pogatetz accused Ronaldo of showing his opponents disrespect yesterday, an allegation that will surely add spice to Monday's FA Cup sixth-round replay at Old Trafford.
In United's 2-1 league victory at the Riverside Stadium last December, Ronaldo won a penalty under minimal contact, prompting Gareth Southgate to concur with suggestions that his side had been cheated, and Pogatetz seems similarly unimpressed with some of the 22-year-old's behaviour.
"He [Ronaldo] can be frustrating, but it was really nice for me when Julio Arca nutmegged him," the Austria defender said. "That's what Ronaldo tries to do and it's not very nice if you try to joke around with players.
"I think he has such great ability but sometimes he is a little bit too much and he winds his opposition up. But what can you do about it? You have to get on with the game, but it's not very nice to see. You have to be patient against him because he has lots of tricks.
"Sometimes he doesn't really move forward, he just wants to show off his tricks and that's not very nice for defenders."
The Telegraph:
In an era when managers readily complain about the demands asked of their players in a congested fixture programme, the timing of this game may have brought wry smiles to those who tire of hearing the "too many games" lobby argue their point.However, with this game marking United's 50 years of European competition plus the approaching anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Rome on March 25, 1957, a mid-March date was unavoidable, regardless of FA Cup replays and a hugely important international double header.
United were certainly determined to make the most of their celebration. Big screens flashed black and white images of the Busby Babes, the 1968 European Cup triumph over Benfica at Wembley and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's unforgettable injury-time winner against Bayern Munich in the 1999 final. The Norwegian even walked on to the pitch prior to the game with the European Cup in his hands, but he did not linger with the trophy, mindful perhaps that he may touch it again in Athens in May. Perhaps the greater priorities of their employers prompted the withdrawals of box-office figures such as Ronaldinho, Paolo Maldini, Oliver Kahn and numerous others from Marcello Lippi's Europe XI, but the presence of four of Italy's World Cup winners in the starting XI ensured there was no lack of stellar quality facing the Premiership leaders.
Manchester United (4-4-1-1): Kuszczak (Heaton h-t); Neville (O'Shea h-t), Brown, Heinze, Richardson; Ronaldo (Eagles h-t), Scholes, Giggs (Carrick h-t), Park; Rooney (Andy Cole h-t), Smith (Dong 71).
Goals: Rooney (6, 43), Brown (9), Ronaldo (35).
Europe XI (4-4-2): Canizares (Coupet h-t); Zambrotta (Campo 63), Ayala (Carragher h-t), Materazzi (Christanvla h-t), Abidal (Stefanovic h-t); Mancini (Stelios h-t), Pirlo (Gerrard h-t), Gattuso (Kallstrom h-t), Malouda (Zenden h-t); Larsson,(Fowler 63) Ibrahimovic (Diouf h-t).
Goals: Malouda (23), Diouf (52, 87pen).
Referee: M Merk (Germany).
The Indie:
The celebration was to mark 50 years in Europe for Manchester United and 50 years since the Treaty of Rome, yet the limelight still belonged to David Beckham last night as he returned to Old Trafford in a club capacity for the first time since his acrimonious departure to Real Madrid in 2003. And to think he only popped in to say hello.
Injury had prevented the former England captain appearing in a United fixture after a four-year absence but a public address in which he buried the hatchet with Sir Alex Ferguson sufficed to enrapture a young Old Trafford crowd and confirmed, as LA Galaxy hope to testify, that he remains among the most marketable players in the game.
"I have waited four years for this so just to be here is special," said Beckham. "The time I spent at this club was the best time of my football career. The support you've given me throughout my career has been fantastic... I'd also like to wish this team the best of luck. I am sure they will win many things in the years to come because they have the best manager in the world."
"Do you want me to agree with him?" responded Ferguson, who was right to be rhetorical given the World Cup-winning manager and last night's Europe XI coach, Marcello Lippi, was sat alongside him in the post-match press conference.
The piercing screeches that greeted Beckham and the cameras that flashed each time Cristiano Ronaldo stepped over the ball without a tackle in sight suggested hardened locals were not out in force, though despite several withdrawals from Europe XI - most notably Ronaldinho - this was not a night to be churlish. All money generated by the 74,343 crowd will be invested in children's charities across Europe.
Ferguson:
"It was a fantastic night of players relaxing. It's amazing when you can play without pressure that they can enjoy themselves this much.
"For everyone coming, it was a really good night.
"It was good that there were so many young people here. Ticket prices were good for young people to get here tonight and it was good to see some fantastic football also."
About Beckham's reception:
"I'd expect he'd get a great reception. [Ferguson was in the dressing room and didn't see it]
"Even teams, when their managers have played for our club, always get a fantastic reception, quite rightly too.
"He had great years here. He came as a boy and all his formative years were spent here.
"It was a great foundation here before he went on to Real Madrid. He was a great player."
Beckham:
"I have waited four years to come back and say thank you to the fans for the support you have given me throughout my career.
"I'm not sure I would have got through many things at that time [sent off at 1998 WC] without the people in this stadium. It is amazing to be back.
"You have the best manager in the world at this club.
"And you have a team that can win things not just this season but for many years to come."
Lippi:
"It was meant to be a celebration and it was - the two jubilees that we celebrated.
"In terms of players, of course the aim was to get really the best players in the world and some of them unfortunately got held up or injured over the weekend.
"There were some changes, as you all know, but what I saw on the pitch was a good performance and a good show for the 73,000.
"I thank all those players that came because some came at the last minute and were quite keen to play in this celebration match."