Manchester United delegation drops in at Manchester United Soccer Schools training session

Sir Alex, along with the club's Chief Executive David Gill, who are in Dubai as guests of Audi, visited a training session of the Manchester United Soccer Schools programme which is being run in partnership with Dubai Sports City at Al Wasl Sports Club. They were accompanied by Dubai Sports City's President, Khalid Al Zarooni and CEO, U. Balasubramaniam, as well as by representatives of Audi, the club's car sponsor, and Pepsi who, as part of their global commitment to football, are official partners with Manchester United Soccer Schools in Dubai.

The visitors were clearly delighted with the progress of the programme as they watched the youngsters practicing their football skills.

Speaking at the session, Sir Alex Ferguson, said: 'It is great to be back in Dubai and to see first hand the programme I launched here last November. The kids are clearly enjoying themselves. No matter where we launch the MUSS programme in the world, I see the same enthusiasm and sense of fun amongst the participants. It's fantastic that there are over 550 kids in this first MUSS Dubai programme and I am impressed that our partners at Dubai Sports City have achieved so much in such a short time.'

He continued:

'At Manchester United we firmly believe in the philosophy of youth development and it is great to see so many different nationalities of boys and girls coming together through football.'

David Gill, Manchester United's Chief Executive, concluded: 'It's great to be here and see the Manchester United philosophy becoming a reality. The Club is firmly committed to our partnership with Dubai Sports City and we fully support everything that they are doing. It's great to catch up with all the plans and we are proud that the first 'live' project is with our Soccer Schools. I can't wait to see the permanent Manchester United Soccer Schools facility when it is completed next year.