 F.C. United hosted a test event on 16 May 2015 , staging a short match between their first team and an Invitational XI made up of past players . This event was organized to test the facilities and prove that the stadium can hold a large capacity crowd , and took place with 3 @,@ 241 supporters in attendance . The official opening game was a friendly between F.C. United of Manchester and Benfica B on 29 May , the anniversary of Manchester United 's victory over Benfica in the 1968 European Cup Final . The date also happened to be the anniversary of the death of Ronald Johnson . Benfica won the opening game 0 – 1 in front of a crowd of 4 @,@ 232 . The ground 's first league game was on 11 August 2015 , the second match of the 2015 – 16 season for F.C. United , in a National League North local derby against Stockport County , a 1 – 2 loss . 
