Emanuel Pogatetz would not have approved. The Middles-brough 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.”

Manchester United (4-4-2): T Kuszczak — G Neville (sub: J O’Shea, 46min), W Brown, G Heinze, K Richardson — Park Ji Sung, P Scholes, R Giggs (sub: M Carrick, 46), C Ronaldo (sub: C Eagles, 46) — A Smith (sub: Dong Fangzhou, 72), W Rooney (sub: A Cole, 46). Substitutes not used: T Heaton.

Europe XI (4-4-2): S Canizares (Valencia) — G Zambrotta (Barcelona; sub: I Campo, Bolton Wanderers, 64), R Ayala (Valencia; sub: P Christanval, Fulham, 46), M Materazzi (Inter Milan; sub: J Carragher, Liverpool, 46), E Abidal (Lyons; sub: D Stefanovic, Portsmouth, 46) — A Mancini (AS Roma; sub: S Giannakopoulos, Bolton Wanderers, 46), A Pirlo (AC Milan; sub: S Gerrard, Liverpool, 46), G Gattuso (AC Milan; sub: K Kallström, Lyons, 46), F Malouda (Lyons; sub: B Zenden, Liverpool, 46) — H Larsson (Helsingborg; sub: R Fowler, Liverpool, 64), Z Ibrahimovic (Inter Milan; sub: E-H Diouf, Bolton Wanderers, 46). Substitutes not used: G Coupet (Lyons).

Referee: M Merk (Germany).