Draw with UAE Pro League opponent

On August 30, United FC played their first friendly match after returning from the summer training camp in Latvia, facing Al Jazira at the Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi. The encounter ended without goals (0-0) and became an important step in the team’s preparation for the upcoming season.

Al Jazira, owned by Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan bin Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan, is a well-established club in the UAE Pro League. The team is recognized as a solid mid-table side, finishing 7th in the previous season. With standout players such as French playmaker Nabil Fekir, Egyptian midfielder Mohamed Elneny, and Brazilian defender Bruno Rocha, Al Jazira provided a serious test for United FC.

For United FC, the match was less about the result and more about preparation and maintaining game rhythm, as well as physical and tactical readiness for the season. Andrea Pirlo himself has a connection with Sheikh Mansour’s football empire — during his playing career, he represented New York City FC, a club within the City Football Group. His experience at the highest level continues to shape United FC’s approach both on and off the pitch.

The 0-0 draw reflected the balanced nature of the match, in which both teams demonstrated discipline and control. For United FC, this game became a valuable opportunity to test themselves against one of the respected clubs in the UAE and another important step in their preparations for the season under Andrea Pirlo’s guidance.