Manchester United great Dwight Yorke expects the A-League's best to struggle when they face the full-strength English Premier League giants at ANZ Stadium next year.

But the former Sydney FC and United star believes Australia's players will benefit greatly from the "eye-opening" experience of taking on one of the best sides on the planet.

He scores when he wants to ... Manchester United's prolific Dutch striker Robin van Persie will headline the English club's match in Sydney next July. Credit:AFP

The NSW government and Football Federation Australia confirmed on Monday the Red Devils would return to Australia for the first time in 14 years for a one-off exhibition match on July 20.

NSW Premier Barry O'Farrell trumpeted the coup as a win for his state over Victoria and Queensland and claimed an approximate $3 million investment would provide an economic boost of around $16 million.