In the midst of the preparations, former United player Eric Cantona, who had retired from football to pursue a career in film in 1997, expressed an interest in returning to Manchester United for a farewell match. Edwards took the opportunity to combine the two events into one. Due to Cantona's acting career, his schedule meant that he would not be available in February 1998 and the match was moved to 18 August, with the opposition to be a European XI chosen by Cantona; the side selected by Cantona featured the likes of French internationals Laurent Blanc, Pascal Vahirua and Jean-Pierre Papin, England's Paul Gascoigne, former Manchester United players Bryan Robson and Mark Hughes, and Cantona's brother Joël. Cantona himself played the first half of the match for the European XI, before switching sides at half-time. Manchester United ultimately won the match 8–4, with goals from Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes, Jordi Cruyff, Phil Neville, Nicky Butt, Alex Notman (2) and Cantona, while Papin, Blanc, Martin Dahlin and United player Mark Wilson were the scorers for the European XI.