Question: How do you excite the British public about the 50th anniversary of the founding of the European Union?

Answer: Grab their attention through something far more popular than Brussels – a football match.

In one of its most populist gestures since the Common Market was created by the Treaty of Rome in 1957, the EU will commemorate its birthday in Britain by fielding a Europe XI against Manchester United.

Marcello Lippi, the World Cup-winning Italian coach, will manage the Europe XI assisted by Andy Roxburgh, the Uefa technical director. To make sure that the game attracts attention, the Europe team will be led by David Beckham.

The underemployed former England captain will line up against his old club at Old Trafford for the first time since leaving for Real Madrid in 2003.

Mr Lippi, a close friend of Sir Alex Ferguson, is believed to have invited leading Premiership players including Thierry Henry of Arsenal and Steven Gerrard of Liverpool to join Beckham in the Europe XI.

Frank Rijkaard, the Barcelona coach, and Gerard Houllier, manager of Lyon, have both promised to release players for the game on March 13.

Mr Lippi and Mr Roxburgh have been given permission by Uefa to approach players from the 52 nations affiliated to the organisation.

The game marks a double celebration because it also coincides with the 50th anniversary of Manchester United’s first entry into European competition: a 2-0 away win in Belgium against Anderlecht by the “Busby babes”. A separate commemoration of the ill-fated team, which lost eight members in the Munich air crash in 1958, will be held by Manchester United but charities in Munich will be among those to benefit from the European event.

EU officials confirmed to The Times that while other EU countries will hold youth summits, music concerts and art exhibitions, football was deemed the best way to reach a Euro-sceptic British public, especially as European stars in the Premiership are so popular.

Michel Platini, the president of Uefa, and Sir Bobby Charlton are expected to announce the teams next month.

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