Cristiano Ronaldo gave a further glimpse of a potentially glittering future as Manchester United paid tribute to their European past on Tuesday.

United celebrated 50 years of European competition by beating a Europe XI 4-3 and Ronaldo was the undoubted star of the show in front of 74,343 supporters at Old Trafford.

Bobby Charlton, a member of Matt Busby's team that fulfilled a burning ambition by winning United's first European Cup in 1968, had tipped Ronaldo to be one of the game's great players in the build-up to the showpiece match.

The 22-year-old Portuguese international did not disappoint him with a dazzling display capped by a stunning set-piece goal in his 45-minute appearance which further explained United's desire to secure his long-term future on a new contract.

Ronaldo's quick feet bewitched the European defence and 10 minutes before halftime he curled a 35-metre free kick past Valencia goalkeeper Santiago Canizares and into the top corner.

It was the kind of goal which made David Beckham's name during his days as United's set-piece wizard, although he was unable to play after injuring his knee while playing for Real Madrid earlier this month.

Beckham was given a thunderous reception, however, on returning for his first United match since leaving for Spain in 2003.

"It's amazing to be back...I am devastated to be injured but just being here is enough. The time I spent at this club was the best time of my career," Beckham told the crowd at halftime.

"I have waited four years to say thank you to the fans and the people at the club who supported me throughout my career."

"You've got the best manager in the world and I think this team is going to be incredible and will win many things for years to come."

ROONEY DOUBLE

United are still pursuing a possible treble of Champions League, Premier League and FA Cup but were able to relax and turn on the style against a European side which suffered from late withdrawals, including Barcelona's Ronaldinho, but still started with four of Italy's 2006 World Cup winners in a line-up drawn from seven of Europe's top clubs.

They were no match for United in the first half, though, as Wayne Rooney also scored twice and Wes Brown once with Olympique Lyon midfielder Florent Malouda replying for Europe, who missed a penalty through Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

The European side changed their line-up after the break and pulled two goals back with a header and a penalty from El-Hadji Diouf, which United hope will not be a taste of things to come for Saturday when Diouf returns to Old Trafford with his Bolton Wanderers team.

The match, which also marked the 50th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Rome as the foundation of the European Union, attracted a record crowd for a non-competitive match at Old Trafford with the proceeds going to charitable projects through the Manchester United Foundation.