As hundreds of young footballers’ head to Capital for a youth football extravaganza, Manchester City FC manager Pep Guardiola has spoken of what it was like to bring his team of star names to train in the city.

This weekend will see more than 800 players from across the Middle East head to Zayed Sports City, for the first ever Manchester City FC Abu Dhabi Cup.

The competition will feature youth football matches as well as free fun filled family activities and competitions for anyone to enjoy.

It comes after Guardiola brought the Manchester City team to Emirates Palace for warm weather training, meeting fans and youth players of all ages during their stay.

“The trip [to Abu Dhabi] gave us a chance to get away and do things a little differently. Being in Abu Dhabi gives us a chance to come to a beautiful country, with a different climate to the one we’re used to – it freshens things up for all of us,” he said.

“The facilities out here in Abu Dhabi are outstanding. To have everything on one site in this way is invaluable and the hotel is of the very highest standard.

“The staff have embraced my team and all those who work for the club throughout our stay. That is a huge plus to help us in making the trip as seamless as possible and we are incredibly grateful for all their efforts.”

The inaugural Manchester City Abu Dhabi Cup 2017, which is supported by Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority and Etihad Airways, has seen many teams from the UAE, Oman and Bahrain register to take part and is open to Under 10, 12, 14 and 16 sides.