After organising games in London and Moscow during the Euro 2008 qualifiers between England and Russia and for the Champion’s League final, the British Council is providing another opportunity for football fans to come together and share their common passion. Guests of honour at Tuesday’s match will be former Manchester United players David May and Clayton Blackmore who will be joined by representatives from Kick it Out and Marketing Manchester – who are leading Manchester’s bid for England’s 2018 World Cup campaign.

Before the game, former Manchester United player Andy Richie will lead a training session for local students from St Joseph’s RC High School and Wright Robinson College, who are partnered with schools in Russia as part of the British Council’s Dreams and Teams programme. Working with local schools is a key part of the Football Unites project and helps to build trust and understanding between different cultures.

Football Unites is a partnership between the British Council and the Russian Football Union, and supporters’ clubs in both countries have been instrumental in making the project a success, with the Stretford End Flags organising the game in Manchester.

Oleg Eletskiy, Head of Marketing and Communications for the British Council in Moscow said: "The aim of Football Unites is to use football to create partnerships and friendships between the UK and Russia. We are working with supporters to demonstrate that bringing fans together can produce very positive and powerful messaging. Hopefully the game between the Moscow and Manchester fans will be as entertaining as the action on the pitch between the teams at Old Trafford."