Manchester United Soccer Schools awards

As Manchester United prepare for the final sprint of the season, hoping to reign supreme at home and in Europe, Dubai’s Manchester United Soccer Schools have successfully brought their own season to a close.

And at the traditional season-ending awards ceremony at Jess, Arabian Ranches, there was a euphoria, though not quite like the one that has gripped Old Trafford in recent days, that amply demonstrated the youngsters’ passion for both football and the famous red jersey.

Close to 700 children from as young as age seven upwards relished the spotlight while receiving certificates from coach Michael McClements as their proud parents looked on.

It was even better for those who excelled in the skills competitions held throughout the season. After all, prizes hardly come much better than a trip to Old Trafford, and Bruce Bown and Phillipe Al Khoury turned out to be the occasion’s biggest beneficiaries.

"It’s a new experience for me," said the soft spoken Bown who notched up the most points in the age category of 13 to 14 years.

A student of Ras Al Khaimah English Speaking School, travelling twice a week from the northern emirate to play football never put off Bown at any point. "I think he has been crazy about football from the day he was born," said his mother Nok, who likes the MUSS programme almost as much as her son.

"It’s pretty good. They don’t teach them just about football, it covers so many other things."

Unlike Bown, this is Al Khoury’s second visit to the Theatre of Dreams having been among last year’s winners as well.

"I’m delighted. It feels just great that I get to go again. I did OK last year. Hopefully I’ll come in the top three this year," said the 11-year-old Paul Scholes fan.

Applauding his son’s crowning moment frantically, Gassan Al Khoury is easily Phillipe’s biggest fan. "Wherever he goes, I’m always with him. As far as I can remember, he began kicking the ball when he could barely walk. He just adores football," said the senior Al Khoury.

So can we soon expect to see a young prodigy from MUSS, Dubai line-up alongside the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo in United’s first team? "That would be very nice," replied Andy Dixon, the school’s head coach."For now it’s just fantastic to see over 700 children from 70 different nationalities coming together to play as one team."

Skills winners

MUSS Residential Camp trip winners:

• Age 7/8: Matthew Hodgson
• Age 9/10: Omar Bouhouch
• Age 15+: Mikhail Tverko
  
  
  World Skills Final place at Old Trafford:
• Age 11/12: Phillipe Al Khoury
• Age 13/14: Bruce Bown
  
  Code of Conduct award:
• Hashem Khoory (Age 13-14)
  
  Personal Achievement award:
• Nasser Al Khamis (Age 11-12)