United Soccer School impresses Fortune
dubai — Former Manchester United star Quinton Fortune was impressed by some ‘amazing talents’ at the Manchester United Soccer School in the UAE.
The training programme for the UAE-based footballers was a resounding success and three players will win a chance of a lifetime to travel to Old Trafford to watch a Manchester United game.
Fortune, the former South African midfielder who won the 2002 Premier League title with Man United, watched the kids train in Dubai.
“The kids here are very good. I have watched some of them train. I have watched kids from 6 to 11-13 years old. I have also seen some 15-16year-old kids. They are amazing talents,” Fortune told Khaleej Times during an exclusive interview on Sunday. “The kids are trained by MUSS coaches. And three players will get an opportunity to go to Old Trafford. I think it’s an amazing initiative by Emirates NBD — the partners —because they are giving these kids the chance to go to Old Trafford and watch a game and experience the training centre there. So it’s an exciting chance for them.”
Fortune was also quite excited about United’s Premier League chances next season despite Manchester City winning this year’s title with remarkable ease.
“You can’t take away what City has done this season. They have been outstanding. Their style of football, the way they played the game and the amount of goals they have scored is just amazing,” he said.
“But United are still second in the league and they are in the FA Cup final. So there have been lot of progress in the last few years. I hope they will be in great position to win the league next season. We can’t keep trying to close the gap any more as we need to make sure we compete and try to catch City and beat them.
“We have a very strong squad. We have some fantastic players. We are second now and we will play in the FA Cup final against Chelsea. So there are still lot of positive things to talk about. I am looking forward to the next season. We have to make sure that we take the next step which is, of course, about winning the league,” he added. So will Jose Mourinho be under massive pressure next year to deliver the Premier League title in his third season as United boss?
“There will always be pressure on you if you are Manchester United manager. You are expected to win every single season,” he said. “It was the same this season and it will be same next year. The players have now understood his style of play and they are getting familiar with his nature as a manager. But the expectations will always be there. Fans want trophies every season so the goal next season will be the league, Champions League and the FA Cup, every single trophy.”
Finally, Fortune, who played in the 1998 and 2002 World Cups, opened up on Sir Alex Ferguson who remains in ICU after undergoing surgery for brain haemorrhage on Saturday. “I was quite shocked. I saw Sir Alex in the last couple of weeks at the games. I also saw him a few months ago and he was looking in good health so I am surprised to see what has happened,” he said.
“I just pray that he makes a speedy recovery. If there is one person who can get through this it’s is the Boss. We hope to see him very soon.”