GOLDEN boy David Beckham heads an all-star list of Manchester United players set to face York City at Bootham Crescent tomorrow (3pm).

Multi-medal winners Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes, Dwight Yorke, Gary Neville, Denis Irwin, Mikael Silvestre and captain Roy Keane have also been included in the squad which was confirmed today.

The news that so many big names are set to feature will mean the 2,000 standing tickets left for the high-profile friendly are likely to be snapped up, with the final attendance figure looking set to breach 8,000 for the first time in five years.

City have already surpassed the crowd of 7,123 that watched Steve Tutill's testimonial game against Middlesbrough in 1997. And they are closing in on the bumper 7,854 that witnessed City's shock 3-2 Coca-Cola Cup win over Everton a year earlier.

The last time the attendance breached the 8,000 barrier was in October 1995 when 9,386 watched the Minstermen complete their unexpected giant-killing act over United in the Coca Cola Cup.

With tickets on sale until two hours before the 3pm kick off, tomorrow's match could break City's record gate receipts of more than £63,000 - again earned when City sent the Red Devils tumbling on that memorable night five years ago.

With United also due to play at Shewsbury Town on Sunday, there had been speculation as to what side the Premiership champions would send to York for what is their first official pre-season outing this summer.

However, they faxed Bootham Crescent today with their confirmed squad for tomorrow's clash, with former City striker Jonathan Greening also included.

United's former York City starlet goalkeeper Nick Culkin, from Stamford Bridge, is to miss out, however, after joining Bristol Rovers on a season-long loan.

It was Culkin's one-minute Premiership debut for United against Arsenal last year that earned City tomorrow's friendly. When he was snapped up by manager Sir Alex Ferguson almost five years ago, City insisted on a clause that United would play the Minstermen once Culkin made his first-team bow.

Another notable absentee is defender Philip Neville, who gave away the infamous penalty which saw England knocked out of Euro 2000 this summer.

It is not known whether manager Sir Alex will be at Bootham Crescent, meanwhile, with the United team set to be accompanied by Steve McClaren, Sir Alex's assistant.

York-born McClaren is a former Nunthorpe School pupil. Sir Alex is more likely to take charge of the United side at Shrewsbury on Sunday when other senior players - such Neville and Mark Bosnich - will get a run-out.

Sir Alex has also indicated he will be giving Champions' League winner Ronny Johnsen, former AC Milan star Jesper Blomqvist and young England defender Wes Brown run-outs over the weekend. All three missed last season with long-term injuries and the United boss is keen to step up their match fitness.

With French World Cup and Euro 2000 winner Fabien Barthez still settling in at Old Trafford, Dutch veteran 'keeper Raimond Van Der Gouw is in goal tomorrow.

Andy Cole and Jaap Stam are not expected to play at either York or Shrewsbury.

United surprised everyone last season when England heroes Beckham and Scholes both played in a mainly United junior side at Selby Town in a pre-season friendly.

PICTURE: SUPER STARS: England glamour boy David Beckham who is in the squad to face York City tomorrow

You can log on to the ThisisYork site on Saturday night to read a report of the big game