Corinthians FC, an U-13s side from Johannesburg in South Africa, spent a week learning to play the United way on a team residential course during the recent Easter holiday.

The 18 youngsters were coached by Soccer Schools coaches in all aspects of the game, mainly technical work relating to United’s first team players - including short and long passing, dribbling, turning, finishing and defending.

Lucas Ioannides, tour leader for Corinthians, described the experience – which included a trip to Old Trafford to watch United’s Champions League tie with Porto – as ‘an unforgettable week’.

“To be exposed to top level coaching in a professional environment was fantastic,” he said. “The players worked hard, this was certainly no holiday, which is exactly what I as a coach wanted, but most of all, what came across from the coaches, was the passion for the game and Manchester United, which they communicated so effectively to the players.”

Lucas was complimentary about all aspects of the week-long course, saying: “The players benefited tremendously from many aspects including the coaching, the talks, the tour of the museum and the passion demonstrated by everybody affiliated to Manchester United. Thank you to Mike who made it happen, to Brynn and Chris for their passionate coaching and to Val and Lynn for their wonderful hospitality.”

During their stay Corinthians put their skills learned to good use, taking on an equivalent aged Stafford Rangers side. The South Africans ran out 6-0 winners, to the delight of Ioannides: “The victory was another real highlight of the trip.”

Images from the trip can be seen here.