Luke Littler receives messages of support from Luke Shaw, Gary Neville Rio Ferdinand and Jonny Evans ahead of World Championships final… with 16-year-old Man United fan inundated with messages from his idols
- Manchester United fan Luke Littler goes for darts glory at Alexandra Palace
- Past and present players from his favorite team have offered support
- The teen sensation has won many new fans – many are surprised at his age
Luke Littler is still pinching himself after being inundated with messages of support from his heroes at Manchester United.
The boyhood United fan is currently the talk of the town as he attempts to become the youngest person to ever win the World Darts Championship.
He has worked his way through the competition and the 16-year-old is now one match away from the most unlikely win on his debut.
Littler's story has captured the nation's attention and he has been inundated with messages of support from a range of celebrities, not least some former and current Manchester United stars.
'I now have a lot of followers. I've had a message from Luke Shaw, from Manchester United, from Rio Ferdinand, and I've had a message from Gary Neville and Jonny Evans before my match against Barney,” Littler told the BBC.
Luke Littler has received many messages of support from some of his football idols
The Man United fan received a message from Gary Neville before facing Raymond van Barneveld
'It's just crazy, people I've looked up to, especially my club Man United, wishing me luck.'
Opinion poll
Who will win the final of the PDC Darts World Championship?
- Lucas Kleiner 6 votes
- Luke Humphries 1 votes
Fans joked that Littler had to do the opposite of this current Manchester United team if he wanted to keep winning.
Ahead of his clash with idol Raymond van Barneveld in the last 16, his new fans were hoping Marcel had not 'cursed' the young sensation.
“I am with your beloved Manchester United at Nottingham Forest,” Neville said in a video message to Littler.
'I hope we achieve the desired result and I want to anticipate your incredibly special match tonight against Van Barneveld, your hero.
'It will be an exciting evening for everyone. I wish you all the best and sending you the Manchester United spirit.”
While United were turned around by Forest – deservedly so on the night – Littler secured what was then the latest win in a string of good performances to progress.
Littler recently posed with injured Tottenham midfielder and enthusiastic darts fan James Maddison
Littler recently posed for a photo with Arsenal superstars Aaron Ramsdale and Declan Rice
The Warrington native defeated Christian Kist, Andrew Gilding, Matthew Campbell, Van Barneveld, Brendan Dolan and Rob Cross on his way to tonight's final.
That fairytale run has captured the attention and hearts of other footballers, including Donny van de Beek, who left Manchester United on loan this week to join Eintracht Frankfurt, among whom the 16-year-old asked for a photo.
Arsenal duo Aaron Ramsdale and Declan Rice also got in on the action, while Tottenham playmaker and darts enthusiast James Maddison invited Littler to watch Spurs' match against Bournemouth next weekend.
