MUSC eagerly awaiting visit of Manchester United's U-18 squad

Local Manchester United fans and other connoisseurs of youth football must be relishing the prospect of casting their eyes on some of the most talented youngsters in European football.

Up-and-coming stars like French teenager Paul Pogba, Davide Petrucci, Michele Fornasier, Alberto Massacci and Sean McGinty will be in Malta next week as Manchester United's Under-18 squad will hold a training camp at the Hibs Ground between October 26 and 29.

It is a mark of the esteem the local Manchester United Supporters' Club (MUSC) enjoy in the corridors of Old Trafford that they have been entrusted with the organisation of the United youth team's visit which is part of the MUSC's 50th anniversary celebrations.

"This will be the first time that a Man. United Academy team has set foot in Malta," Joseph Tedesco, the president of the MUSC, told The Times.

"We at MUSC gladly accepted the invitation to organise the visit of United's U-18 squad. One of the conditions was for the team to train on a natural turf pitch. In view of this, we approached Hibernians FC who duly offered their facilities in Corradino."

All the sessions will be open to the public. On Monday evening, the young members of the Hibs nursery will take centre-stage as they will train under the guidance of the Manchester United coaches, led by Paul McGuinness, and the players.

On Thursday, United's U-18 will play a friendly against their Hibs counterparts. The match, at the Hibs Ground, kicks off at 7 p.m.

On Tuesday, the United coaches and players will head to the MUSC premises in Sta Venera to watch the Carling Cup match between Barnsley and Manchester United.

MUSC have received encouragement from the Academy officials to allow the players to mingle with the fans during their visit to the club.

United fans in Gozo will also have the opportunity to meet the United starlets as a social activity is planned for Wednesday at the Grand Hotel, Mġarr.

Tedesco said the MUSC are delighted that the visit of the Manchester United's U-18 team coincides with their 50th anniversary.

"This has definitely been a busy year for our club," Tedesco said.

"Our 50th anniversary celebrations reached a climax in February with a week-long programme of activities but we have hardly had a break since.

"We are indeed honoured to be hosting the Manchester United Academy. This will be an enticing opportunity for the United fans to have a close look at the club's young players who have high aspirations of making the grade at senior level.

"Paul Pogba is only 16 years old but he has already drawn comparisons with Patrick Vieira."

The Manchester United party are due to fly into Malta on Sunday afternoon. Tedesco thanked Air Malta, Radisson Blu Resort, St Julian's and Paramount Garage for their assistance.

More information on the MUSC may be obtained by logging on to www.manutd-malta.com.