By Duncan Mackay
January 12 – The standard of Qatar’s facilities have received a ringing endorsement after Premier League champions Manchester United, including Wayne Rooney and Rio Ferdinand (pictured), flew to Doha for a four-day training trip to avoid the snowy weather in England that has wreaked such havoc.
The former world and European champions arrived at the Aspire Academy and will be based there until Thursday when they will return home to complete preparations for their match on Saturday at Old Trafford against Burnley.
United’s decision to choose Doha will help put Qatar’s bid to host the 2022 World Cup in the spotlight, especially after manager Sir Alex Ferguson praised Aspire.
The team, who drew 1-1 with Birmingham City last Saturday, decided to seek an overseas training venue because the weather meant they have unable to practice outside.
Sir Alex Ferguson said: “I have heard a lot about the fantastic facilities at Aspire from my coaching staff and with the weather being so good at this time of the year in Qatar, it was the perfect opportunity to test them out.
“The welcome we have received has been superb and we have already done an excellent training session that just would not have been possible in the worst conditions in the UK.”
The Aspire Academy, which opened in 2005, is renowned for its state-of-the-art facilities, including a number of world-class pitches and medical facilities.
Tariq Abdulaziz Al-Naama, the acting general manager of Aspire, said: ”We, at Aspire, are very delighted to warmly welcome such a big team at our premises.
“We thank the Manchester United management for choosing Qatar and Aspire for their camp.
“In our turn, we will do all the best to make their camp and visit to our academy and our country a successful one.”
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