Soccer: Ooh, aah Cantona pops up in Giggs' testimonial

MANCHESTER - Ruud van Nistelrooy and Juan Veron both scored on their Old Trafford debuts yesterday, but could not prevent Celtic from recording a 4-3 victory over the English soccer champions in Ryan Giggs' testimonial match.

Dutch striker van Nistelrooy, who scored twice, and his Argentine counterpart showed why they cost a combined total of £47.1 million ($163.9 million) in the off-season.

But they were forced to admire a fine display by Martin O'Neill's Scottish champions in front of a capacity 67,500 crowd, who were entertained royally in the unofficial "Championship of Britain."

United's England captain, David Beckham, was involved in a running feud with Chris Sutton and Neil Lennon, and manager Alex Ferguson withdrew him 10 minutes into the second half.

The spirits of the United fans were lifted when former player and fan favourite Eric Cantona, now 35, made a surprise appearance as substitute in place of Paul Scholes for the last 15 minutes.

Giggs, who will earn a reported £1 million from the game, thanked the United fans for their support during his career and afterwards did a lap of honour, with a Celtic scarf draped over his United shirt.

Meanwhile, manager Martin O'Neill and Formula One team boss Eddie Jordan have joined a group of Irish businessmen in investing £17 million in Celtic.

O'Neill has made an investment of £2 million, which would seem to undermine speculation that he could move to Manchester United when manager Alex Ferguson retires at the end of the coming season.

* French star Zinedine Zidane's first game in a Real Madrid shirt came to a premature end yesterday after 63 minutes.

In a friendly fixture against newly promoted French first-division club Montpellier, Zidane had to leave the field with a bump on his head and slight concussion after a collision while challenging for the ball.

Real Madrid won 1-0 after a 33rd minute goal from Jose Maria Gutierrez.

- AGENCIES