Top UK clubs in Dubai for winter break
Man United, Liverpool, Celtic and Aberdeen all in the city this week
Top British clubs Manchester United, Liverpool, Celtic and Aberdeen are all in Dubai on a light warm weather training break this week.
United and Liverpool are flying out after their respective FA Cup third round home wins on Friday. United beat Derby 2-0 and Liverpool overturned Everton 2-1. Both will squeeze in a quick week of rehabilitation in the UAE ahead of Liverpool’s hosting of leaders Manchester City in the Premier League on Sunday and United’s home tie with Stoke next Tuesday.
Jurgen Klopp’s side will be mostly trying to avoid the media spotlight in a week where attacking midfielder Philippe Coutinho’s move to Barcelona has been approved and looks set to be confirmed.
United fly in today and will stay at the One and Only Royal Mirage in Mina Seyahi. Liverpool arrived on Saturday and are staying just a bit further up the road at the Westin. It is believed neither side will be doing any strenuous formal training sessions and will be mainly using hotel facilities for light pitch and gym work.
It follows a demanding couple of weeks with both sides having four games each squeezed into the Christmas and New Year period. Liverpool drew with Arsenal, before beating Swansea, Leicester and Burnley, while United drew with Leicester, Burnley and Southampton before beating Everton.
Others
Celtic and Aberdeen are also in the emirate. Scottish Premiership leaders Celtic last played Rangers, drawing goalless on December 30, and their next match is at home to Brechin in the fourth round of the Scottish Cup on January 20.
Second-placed Aberdeen also drew goalless with Hearts on December 30 and won’t now play until their fourth round Scottish Cup tie with St Mirren on January 20. Aberdeen arrive on Tuesday and are understood to be training at the Jebel Ali Centre of Excellence and staying at the nearby Jebel Ali Resort, while Celtic tweeted pictures of themselves training on a hotel ground in Dubai Marina yesterday.