Young players eye Old Trafford
Two top scorers from MUSS stand chance to compete at United's Carrington training grounds
Abu Dhabi: Youngsters enrolling in the new Manchester United Soccer Schools (MUSS) programme kicking off in Abu Dhabi on Saturday could win a chance to display their skills on the world stage at Old Trafford later in the year.
All players taking part in the ten-week programme at the Dome@Rawdhat will automatically be entered in the MUSS series of skills challenges.
The top two point scorers will win an all expense paid trip to England to represent Abu Dhabi in the World Skills Final at Manchester United's Carrington training ground as well as Old Trafford stadium.
More than 200 youngsters representing 25 nationalities took part in the initial six-week MUSS programme which concluded last month.
In addition to the chance of taking part in the World Skills final, all participants have the opportunity to earn a place in the newly launched Development Squad programme, an invitation-only initiative for players who deliver consistently high standards of play and best follow the MUSS Code of Conduct.
Free extra training
The Development Squad offers those selected a comprehensive football education with free extra training sessions focusing on the technical, tactical, mental and physical aspects of the game in a team-oriented environment.
Grouped with other players of the same age and ability, each player will have the opportunity to test their newly acquired skills in a positive and supportive match play environment.
The first ten-week course focuses on the specific challenges and techniques required to master the midfield positions on the pitch.
Themed "Learn to Control and Create the United Way", it will highlight the signature moves of Manchester United midfielders Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes and Darren Fletcher with children learning specific techniques such as the Scholes' "stop turn".
The course features 12.5 hours of on-field coaching by certified MUSS coaches. Dh1,650 includes an exclusive Nike Manchester United training kit of shirt, shorts and socks, MUSS drawstring bag, water bottle and skills ball. Youngsters benefit from catch-up sessions and individual player evaluation, and the bonus for footballing parents is that they get a coaching session all their own.
To learn more about the MUSS programme visit www.manutdsoccerschools.ae or call 02 449 8480.
