World football giant Manchester United will visit Australia in the middle of 2013, with a friendly match against an all-star A-League team scheduled in Sydney.

Football Federation Australia has confirmed the Red Devils' first tour to Australia since 1999, scheduling a clash in Sydney for July 20 against a domestic all-star line-up.

The friendly will take place just three days after the third and final State of Origin rugby league clash at Sydney's Olympic stadium.

"Having Manchester United as the opponent for our first ever A-League All Star game will put the A-League on the world stage," FFA chief executive David Gallop said.

"I'm absolutely delighted Australian fans will get to see the Red Devils in action against the best A-League players.

"It's a massive opportunity for our players and one the fans won't want to miss."

United's last tour Down Under in 1999 followed its stratospheric season where it won the coveted 'treble' of the English Premier League, FA Cup and UEFA Champions League - though some stars like David Beckham did not make the trip.

Former Sydney FC marquee Dwight Yorke, ex-Socceroos keeper Mark Bosnich and Nicky Butt did feature in the '99 tour, but manager Sir Alex Ferguson stayed home for his knighthood ceremony.

"I know how much people in Sydney appreciate their football ... I'm sure a lot of people are looking forward to this game, a lot of people will have the opportunity to see some fantastic players," Yorke said of his old club's announcement.

The A-League team will be selected by fans and could feature the likes of Sydney FC marquee man Alessandro Del Piero, Brisbane's Thomas Broich and Besart Berisha, Perth's Shane Smeltz and Melbourne Victory's Marcos Flores.

But local players with Socceroos commitments, including Brett Emerton and Archie Thompson, would be unlikely to feature because the match clashes with the East Asian Cup, which Australia qualified for on Sunday.

United's director of communications Phil Townsend said his club was keen on helping football grow in Australia.

"Football in Australia continues to grow and increase in popularity and we're delighted to have given this chance to play our part in helping keep the profile of the sport high," he said.

"We know we can expect a very tough game in front of an enthusiastic and knowledgeable crowd."

New South Wales Premier Barry O'Farrell said it was a huge coup for Sydney, with potentially billions of eyes on the A-League next July.

"I'm delighted that next June-July we're going to have an absolute feast of football in this city and the main course of that feast is going to be that Manchester United plays ... on July 20," he said.

"It will be the most exciting game seen in this city for a very long time.

"It will be a great opportunity for people to come to Sydney ... and see the best football they'll ever see."

The match is expected to generate an even greater level of hype than the 2007 visit of Beckham's LA Galaxy.

That match, played in front of more than 80,000 fans, gave the local game a huge boost and officials are hoping next year's fixture will build further on the hype generated by marquee stars Del Piero and Newcastle's Emile Heskey this season.

Tickets for the match are on sale to Football Family members on Tuesday and the general public on Wednesday.

ABC/AAP