Manchester United draw against Chelsea fails to dampen spirits of their Dubai fans

Supporters get opportunity to hang out with players from treble-winning side of 1999

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - APRIL 28: Paul Pogba of Manchester United is challenged by Mateo Kovacic of Chelseaduring the Premier League match between Manchester United and Chelsea FC at Old Trafford on April 28, 2019 in Manchester, United Kingdom. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
The National
Apr 29, 2019
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Manchester United supporters based in the UAE had a chance to congregate in Dubai to watch the Premier League club's home fixture against Chelsea on Sunday.

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And even as the game ended in a somewhat anti-climactic 1-1 draw, pictures from the event suggest the #ILOVEUNITED event, held at Soho Beach DXB, on Al Meydan Road, was a success.

There were wild celebrations at the venue as Juan Mata opened the scoring in the 11th minute for United, who would have moved above Arsenal with victory and to within a point of Chelsea. Those hopes were dashed after United goalkeeper David de Gea's latest blunder allowed Marcos Alonso to equalise two minutes before half time. Chelsea defender Antonio Rudiger hit a tame long-range effort that De Gea palmed into the path of the unmarked Alonso, who slotted home from an acute angle.

Fans got to hang out with United’s 1999 treble-winning team, including Denis Irwin, Andrew Cole and Dwight Yorke. For their part, the trio were there to provide pre-match views and post-match analysis of the game.

Aside from the live entertainment, there were plenty of giveaways and competitions, courtesy of the club’s commercial partners.

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