Manchester United Premier Cup World Finals – Final top twenty under -15 teams travel to Manchester to fight for world title at Old Trafford

TWENTY of the best under-15 football teams around the globe are making their final preparations before travelling to Manchester next week to face the ultimate test of their skills at the World Finals of the Manchester United Premier Cup. (MUPC)

The tournament, sponsored by Nike, will be hosted by Manchester United at their Carrington Training Facility on 5-7 August. The grand finale is to be played out at Old Trafford's "Theatre of Dreams" on Saturday 8^th August at midday; following the unveiling of United's new first team line-up in their first Open Training session of the season.

The event kicks off with the Opening Ceremony & Draw at Carrington on Tuesday 4^th August at 7.30pm, with surprise guests of honour officiating.

Over the last 16 years MUPC has offered more than a million young footballers a truly unique experience - the opportunity to live the dream of world-class competition. Andrés Iniesta, Theo Walcott, Lionel Messi, Cesc Fabregas, Robinho, Carlos Tevez, and Fernando Torres, are just a few of the tournament's famous "graduates".

MVP for the 1999 Premier Cup European Finals, Torres, was instrumental in leading Atlético de Madrid to the European title and a place at the World Finals in Barcelona,  "MUPC is an incredible opportunity to measure yourself against the best in the world. But no matter how talented you are, competing against kids with a completely different style of play for the first time reminds you that you still have a lot to learn.

"Go out and enjoy your football, play to win and remember this is also a great chance for you to learn from some of the young football stars of the future!"

Seen as a proving ground for the youngsters from many of the world's top clubs, the competition for places becomes more intense year on year. Atlético de Madrid's young line-up will be joined in Manchester by Italian giants AS Roma, both qualifying for the World Finals for the fourth time this year. The team from six time finalists Paris Saint Germain has had their holidays cut short in preparation for the tournament by Coach Cédric Cattenoy, in an effort to keep 2002 World Champions Sao Paulo, amongst others, at bay. "South American teams are difficult to beat, not only because they're technically very skilled but are also very well prepared this time of year."

There are many hurdles facing team coaches during the event, who need to adjust and adapt as quickly as their young charges during the height of competition. Unfortunately though, some remain outside of their control. Thailand's Assumption College Thonburi don't want to be drawn into a group with too many European teams as their height gives an added advantage in the air; and Gamba Osaka's Koji Kamogawa is concerned that his young team travelling from Japan will be "overwhelmed by the atmosphere."

Augusto Palacios from South Africa's Orlando Pirates is hoping his players don't struggle to maintain their "focus and concentration" whilst Steve Lucey from Alta Loma's Arsenal has concerns about how well his young team will cope with leaving the USA for the first time, "you never know how that will affect young players."

Although looking forward to their first ever MUPC World Finals experience, China's Changchun Yatai FC, Boin Middle School from Korea and Indian MUPC Champions Salgaocar SC are also apprehensive about the challenges ahead, not all of which will be on the pitch. The Goan team's Francisco Bruto Da Costa is fearful that "The climate and the jet lag might be a bit of a problem."

Other first-timers Germany's Werder Bremen and Belgian side KRC Genk are more hopeful about continuing their run of good form, and UK MUPC Champions West Bromwich Albion's James Shan is relishing the prospect of facing teams with a wide variation of playing styles, "All will offer different tests, which is vitally important in the boys' development."

Marconi Stallions' Pat Faga agrees, and hopes the event will also prove a valuable tool for him to "benchmark the team against other age groups to see collectively how the team compares." He feels it will also help the young Australians appreciate the hard work and dedication it will take if they are to "make it at the highest levels."

Regular qualifiers Colo Colo from Chile know what to expect in Manchester and, according to Gualberto Jara, "will be undertaking very hard training to prepare for the World Finals". Equally experienced Atlas and MTK Hungaria are preparing by incorporating sessions of 2x20 minutes into their training schedule to mimic tournament conditions.

Most teams are nervous about facing host team Manchester United, but Ghana's Right to Dream Academy still savour the memory of their 2:0 victory over the home side to claim 5^th place last year. Gareth Henderby hopes to have the opportunity to repeat the performance and be drawn into a predominantly European group, "as that will offer the best experience for the boys." 

Almost 8,000 teams have fought their way through local, national and regional tournaments over the past twelve months to win 1 of just 20 places at the MUPC World Finals in Manchester. They will now have the opportunity to measure their skills, their passion and their determination against the very best of their peers, in an effort to prove they have what it takes to become the 2009 Manchester United Premier Cup Champions of the World!