Sir Alex Ferguson returns to Dubai for training and launches the first ever MUSS Development Squad

From November 5 to April 27 2007, MUSS and DSC will provide the opportunity for young, aspiring soccer players within the UAE to attend courses with coaches from one of the largest and most famous football clubs in the world. Operating from facilities provided by the Al Wasl Sports Club, boys and girls aged 7 - 18 years old will be coached by MUSS trained coaches and local assistant coaches.

Head Coach for this season is Mike Duxbury, former Manchester United first team and England international player. Mike, himself a product of the club's famed youth system, represented Manchester United 376 times, winning the FA Cup twice and won 10 England caps. Mike has been an MUSS coach for the last 3 years, spending the last two seasons in Hong Kong. With numerous tours for MUSS around the world, Mike will be bringing all his experience to the young players in Dubai. His 20 year playing career and vast knowledge in coaching will only see the MUSS project at Dubai Sports City go from strength to strength.

In addition to his daily coaching role, Mike will also have one eye on the future, looking at ways MUSS can develop once the magnificent facilities at Dubai Sports City are completed. Mike said "I am excited to join the MUSS team here at Dubai Sports City and look forward to using my experiences around the world to give youngsters here in the United Arab Emirates the opportunity to play football to their highest level."

The MUSS coaching programme is specially adapted from the coaching programme at Manchester United's Youth Academy. All the places on the first Dubai MUSS course sold out within days of being launched and the first signs from this season's registration process reflect a similar story even though the course capacity has been increased.

New to this year's programme is the MUSS Development Squad. The MUSS coaching staff will select players during the course who consistently achieve a high standard of play and closely follow the MUSS code of conduct to train as part of the Development Squad. Places are by invitation only and those selected will attend extra sessions focusing on Technical, Tactical, Mental and Physical aspects of the game. The development squads for this course will be for the under 12, under 14 and under 16 age groups only.

Announcing the continuing partnership with Manchester United Soccer Schools, Khalid Al Zarooni, President of Dubai Sports City, said: "We are delighted to welcome Sir Alex back to Dubai and are very excited about our long-term partnership with Manchester United Soccer Schools. Within the Dubai Sports City project we are proud to be working with some of the world's greatest sporting brands, and as far as the football world is concerned, there is none bigger than Manchester United.

"Sir Alex's presence here today not only reflects the true commitment of MUSS to the Dubai Sports City project but also demonstrates the full-time ongoing commitment of the Club to youth development and training, something which is integral within the ethos of Dubai Sports City.

"Next year we will be opening the permanent Manchester United Soccer Schools facility at Dubai Sports City, the first of it kind in the world. We hope that Sir Alex will be able to join us then once again to celebrate a truly significant step in the development of regional football coaching," concluded Al Zarooni.

Speaking at the press briefing, Sir Alex Ferguson said: "At Manchester United we place great emphasis on developing young players and I am proud to continue to play a part in this. It has been part of the tradition of the club since the days of Sir Matt Busby and is something we remain very much focused on today, whether bringing players through the Academy or coaching young players at our soccer schools. Some of today's top football players like Ryan Giggs, Darren Fletcher and Wes Brown are products of the Youth system.

"We believe that through our soccer schools we can take our football philosophy around the world. Last year's launch of the MUSS concept in the Arab world proved to be a bigger success than we thought. Football and particularly Manchester United enjoy a huge following in this region and we are delighted to be involved in the further development of the game here. Dubai Sports City is one of the most exciting and ambitious sporting projects in the world today and we hope to have a long and successful association with it - I would like nothing more than Manchester United Soccer Schools to help develop the Arab football champions of tomorrow."

Every player on the course will have the chance to take part in a number of unique skills tests which are designed using the club's coaches and players and specifically tailored so that all participants, regardless of age, can compete on level terms. This year six lucky winners will be chosen. The top two winners will compete to represent the UAE against players from the USA, Asia and Europe in the 2007 World Skills Final to be held at Manchester United training facilities with the opportunity to grace the famous turf at Old Trafford. Four runners up will have the chance to train at the MUSS residential camp in the North West of the UK with players from over 25 different countries.

The Manchester United Soccer Schools permanent facility will formally open full-time in the first phase of the Dubai Sports City project end 2007. Dubai Sports City is part of the mega Dubailand development which is managed by Tatweer and includes many attractive features that cater to the needs of all members of the family.