Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed’s winning team displayed their prowess in front of an audience of several thousand at Al Jazira’s Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium on Wednesday.
Updated: May 14, 2014, 12:00 AM
In pictures: Man City fans go wild
The Manchester City owner Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed’s son shakes hands with the French midfielder Samir Nasri before a team training session on May 14, 2014 at Al Jazira club’s Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi. City play Al Ain in a friendly on May 15. Marwan Naamani / AFP
Manchester City player Yaya Toure signs an autograph for a fan. Marwan Naamani / AFP
Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed’s winning team displayed their prowess in front of an audience of several thousand. Christopher Pike / The National
The players, dressed in yellow jerseys and dark blue shorts, stretched, dribbled and played a game for an hour and a half in front of admiring fans. Marwan Naamani / AFP
Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini autographs a ball for a fan. Marwan Naamani / AFP
An Emirati fan takes a ‘selfie’ with Manchester City player Yaya Toure during the training session. Marwan Naamani / AFP
Prior to the team arriving on the field, fans stood on their chairs, arms outstretched, hoping to snatch some of the swag on offer such as team T-shirts and miniature footballs, all of which were pumped into the bleachers. Christopher Pike / The National
The audience, though mostly made up of young men – many who were bussed in from local schools – drew a varied crowd, including families. Christopher Pike / The National
Several young hardcore fans couldn’t contain their excitement for the players. Hopping over the barrier and darting across the field, one or two succeeding in getting an autograph, though most ended up being chased by security as the crowd cheered them on. Christopher Pike / The National
A fan that ran on to the pitch takes a selfie with goalkeeper Costel Pantilimon. Christopher Pike / The National