Weah's country is in turmoil

The Liberian legend, a goodwill ambassador for Unicef, praised the United for Unicef partnership which has helped raised US$1.6m since its inception in 1999.

The money raised by the partnership has been used to raise awareness of issues surrounding child exploitation.

Weah, who now plays for Al Jazira in the United Arab Emirates, praised Unicef and United for working towards giving children worldwide a better future.

We must all do our part to help protect children George Weah

He said: "We must all do our part to help protect children from all forms of violence, neglect and abuse."

Weah, who also coached the Lone Star, said threats from President Charles Taylor's government forced him to leave the strife-torn West African country in 2002.

But Nane Annan, wife of UN secretary-general Kofi Annan, who spoke on behalf of her husband, told Weah that the world body is "committed to doing our utmost to help your country".

Weah and Manchester United players then combined to provide a football clinic for youngsters on the lawn of the UN headquarters.

Manchester United striker Ole Gunnar Solksjaer, one of four players who attended the event along with manager Sir Alex Ferguson, said: "It's nice for us to be here making a difference - hopefully," Solskjaer said.

"That's what we're hoping to do."