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

Paul Pogba and his Manchester United temamates were held to a 1-1 draw by Chelsea at Old Trafford on Sunday. Shaun Botterill / Getty Images

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.

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.