MANCHESTER, 3 August 2011        

Manchester United and England legend Sir Bobby Charlton took centre stage yesterday evening to a standing ovation from 20 of the best under-15 teams in the world, assembled for the World Finals of the Manchester United Premier Cup (MUPC) at Carrington this week.

“I am very proud to welcome you on behalf of NIKE and this great club,” he said. “Play great football, respect your opponents and represent your club and country in the right way. Always aim to be number one; no-one can ever ask any more of you than that, including yourself.”

Two rising stars from host team Manchester United were on hand to perform the all-important Draw. Italian striker Federico ‘Kiko’ Macheda wished his fellow countrymen representing Catania Calcio from Sicily good luck for the tournament and advised all the players to “make the most of this great opportunity to play against the best young footballers in the world and take your chances when you can!”

Talented home-grown goalkeeper Ben Amos was also keen to share his thoughts, having participated in the MUPC World Finals in both 2004 and 2005. “Believe in yourselves. You have all earned the right to play against the best teams from around the world and you have reached the final stages. Hopefully you will play well but whatever happens you should enjoy it. Play without fear; your coaches believe in you and now you must believe in yourselves too. Enjoy the tournament and play your best.”

The Draw:

Group A: Manchester United; Fenerbahce; Hannover 96; Bangkok Christian College; Pachuca FC

Group B: Orlando Pirates; Catania Calcio; Valencia CF, Hubei FA, Universidad de Chile

Group C: Chelsea FC; PSV Eindhoven; Kyoto Sanga FC; Onehunga Sports; Boca Juniors

Group D: Right to Dream Academy; FC Metz; Ulsan Hyundai Middle School; Cosmos Academy West; Sporting Club Bahia

Tournament matches will be played at Carrington from 3rd-5th August with the final showdown scheduled to take place at Old Trafford, Manchester United’s ‘Theatre of Dreams’ on Saturday 6th August following the unveiling of the new Manchester United line-up at their first Open Training session of the season.

Today saw the start of the ultimate youth football tournament; an incredible opportunity for youngsters from all walks of life to live the dream, feel the passion and measure their extraordinary talents against the best of their peers – to find out whether they have what it takes to become THE footballing stars of the future.

Group 1                   Group 2                        Group 3                        Group 4

A1 Manchester Utd    B1 Orlando Pirates         C1 Chelsea FC               D1 Right to Dream

A2 Fenerbahce          B2 Catania Calcio           C2 PSV                         D2 FC Metz

A3 Hannover 96        B3 Valencia CF              C3 Kyoto Sanga FC        D3 Ulsan Hyundai MS

A4 Bangkok C C        B4 Hubei FA                  C4 Onehunga                D4 Cosmos Ac. West

A5 Pachuca              B5 Universidad de Chile  C5 Boca Juniors             D5 EC Bahia

Day 1 – Wednesday August 3rd, 2011

Time

Pitch

Match

Score

09.30

1

GA01    Manchester United  – Fenerbahce

2

GB01        Orlando Pirates  – Catania Calcio

3

GC01              Chelsea FC  – PSV

4

GD01        Right to Dream  – FC Metz

10.30

1

GA02            Hannover 96  – Bangkok Christian C

2

GB02             Valencia CF  – Hubei FA

3

GC02       Kyoto Sanga FC  – Onehunga

4

GD02    Ulsan Hyundai MS  – Cosmos Ac. West

11.30

1

GA03                  Pachuca  – Manchester United

2

GB03 Universidad de Chile  – Orlando Pirates

3

GC03            Boca Juniors  – Chelsea FC

4

GD03                 EC Bahia  – Right to Dream

Break

15:30

1

GA04             Fenerbahce  – Hannover 96

2

GB04          Catania Calcio  – Valencia CF

3

GC04                        PSV  – Kyoto Sanga FC

4

GD04                   FC Metz  – Ulsan Hyundai MS

16:30

1

GA05 Bangkok Christian C  – Pachuca

2

GB05                 Hubei FA  – Universidad de Chile

3

GC05               Onehunga  – Boca Juniors

4

GD05     Cosmos Ac. West  – EC Bahia

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