In front of a sell-out crowd made up of football fans from around the country, there was plenty for the City fans in attendance to enjoy with a number of former favourites on either side.
England’s management consisted of ex-Blue trio Sven-Goran Eriksson, David Seaman and Micah Richards for starters – along with Soccer Aid co-founder Robbie Williams, with Shaun Wright-Phillips starting in an attacking role and David James in goal.
For the World XI, there was a welcome return home for Pablo Zabaleta who started as one of the central defensive pairing, with Shay Given in goal and Nigel de Jong starting on the bench.
United were well represented with ex-Reds Wayne Rooney, Paul Scholes, Gary Neville and Patrice Evra all starting the game.
But the whole point of the event is to raise millions for UNICEF, with approaching £47m raised for children around the globe before tonight’s game.
And the celebrities were out in force as always, delighting the thousands of youngsters in the crowd.
Musicians Yungblud, James Arthur, Olly Murs, Aitch, Tom Grennan and James Bay all took part, while YouTube star Chunkz started on the bench.
Olympic legends Sir Mo Farah, Max Whitlock and Usain Bolt rubbed shoulders with actor Line of Duty Martin Compston and comedians Paddy McGuinness and Lee Mack also in action.
There were more women playing – six - than any of the previous Soccer Aid matches, with ex-Lionesses Kelly Smith and Fara Williams in action.
The game itself saw no goals in the first-half, with Clarence Seedorf coming closest to breaking the deadlock with a free-kick that struck the post on 10 minutes and James denied Evra moments later.
With both teams ringing the changes at the break, the World XI struck five minutes after the restart as former Love Island winner Kem Cetinay saw his weak shot creep under the foot of presenter Joel Dommett.
Cetinay grabbed a second later in the half before Would I Lie To You? Star Lee Mack wrapped up a 3-0 win in the dying minutes.
But UNICEF were the real winners with more than £13million raised for this year’s event.
