show time for the champions Hits and memories: Terry Sheringham goes flying in a previous visit by Manchester United in 1999 when they beat the Socceroos 2-0 in a series marred by a broken leg to Simon Colosimo. At some point or another, it will dawn on everyone that Manchester United and the A-League All Stars aren't exactly playing for sheep stations at ANZ Stadium on Saturday night. Perhaps it will happen when Robin van Persie doesn't waste his every breath to chase down a wayward long ball, or Michael Beauchamp opts to corral rather than make a last-ditch tackle. That's the ultimate party-pooper view, but if you're heading out to Homebush Bay, take a warm jacket and a sense of perspective. The best way to view these games is purely as a celebration. Corny as that sounds - especially when we are mesmerised by rhetoric about teams in all codes going to "war" - that's pretty much what this is. But Manchester United is a special club and we should cherish the opportunity see some of the world's best players on our doorstep. Wayne Rooney isn't present, but David Moyes says he'd rather van Persie anyway. Would we want to see a disinterested, stroppy Rooney, anyway? Rio Ferdinand is an imposing figure in defence, Michael Carrick a midfield general and Phil Jones a bit of both. Tom Cleverley is living up to his surname. Ryan Giggs is, quite simply, a football legend. Anderson and Danny Welbeck are electric on their day. What's not to love? For United supporters, this is an opportunity not just to pay homage to their heroes but to offer a hand out to Moyes. It was said that the England manager's position was "an impossible job," but replacing Alex Ferguson is more fitting. He needs the United army behind him to make this thing work. It got off to a wonky start in Bangkok last week with a defeat against a local combination and social media didn't waste a moment to poke the new man. Lose to an A-League team without all the stars and the critiques won't be so jovial. Pressure? Not quite, but not far away, either. It's an occasionally ridiculous realm, modern football. That adds a sneaky dimension to this game. The All Stars - and yes, many are worthy selections - are playing for more than pride. They're actually a very fair sample of local talent, which makes this an interesting measuring stick. The A-League has improved, these players are keen to show that, and for a lucky one or two, starring against the Red Devils might twig the interest of some overseas investors. Granted, it's been a while since we've had a genuinely competitive exhibition game on these shores. They've simply been too friendly. The 1999 two-match tour was given mega-billing by Rene Rivkin but the absence of David Beckham, Ferguson and a slew of Socceroos took away the gloss. Other visitors would be similarly part-engaged, generally putting their foot down only when they had to. Becks would be back with the LA Galaxy who, like the travelling freak show of Santos in the 1960s, refined exhibition matches to a fine art. That's how you make these things work: bring the party tricks. Andy Cole's ridiculous tackle on Simon Colosimo aside - a moment of madness rather than a product of ill-feeling - friendly games just haven't produced that regular-season "edge." You probably have to hark back to the tour of Juventus in 1984 for a spiteful contest; Stefano Tacconi rearranged Marshall Soper's face at the MCG during a red-hot 1-1 draw with the Socceroos. Two days later in Adelaide, the legendary Zbigniew Boniek grabbed a hat-trick and World Cup hero Paolo Rossi bagged another in a 4-2 win. But the fists continued to fly, and Antonio Cabrini put another on Soper's chin before being shown a red card. Those were the days, but times have changed. And whether it's fiercely contested or not, the world's biggest club is here, and with 85,000 packed into ANZ Stadium, that's a good thing for football.