LUKE LITTLER is set to parade the Sid Waddell Trophy in front of Manchester United fans on the Old Trafford pitch.
Club officials have been speaking with Littler’s team to identify the best match this season for him to walk on the famous turf holding aloft the PDC World Darts Championship.
The best option looks to be the home clash with Brighton on Sunday January 19 – the day after he returns home from a World Series of Darts event in Bahrain.
Littler, 17, has been a United fan all his life and spoke about his desire to show it off to fellow supporters after he beat Michael van Gerwen 7-3 at Ally Pally to win the world title for the first time.
He said: “Obviously, I’d love to take it there.
“If they allow me to, then I am sure I will go to Old Trafford.
“I saw Michael Smith did it with the world title when he went to St Helens rugby league club.”
Twelve months ago – the month in which he lost the 2024 world final to Luke Humphries – he watched a 2-2 draw with Tottenham from the United directors’ box.
On the VIP visit, he met legendary boss Sir Alex Ferguson backstage and posed for a photo.
He has also made trips to the Carrington training ground and took part in a nine-dart challenge with Harry Maguire and Christian Eriksen.
Since becoming famous, he has spoken about how much he idolised David Beckham growing up and now he is so well-known, the pair exchange direct messages on Instagram.
As a kid, Littler loved to play football – his favourite position was centre-half.
[bc_video account_id=”5067014667001″ application_id=”” aspect_ratio=”16:9″ autoplay=”” caption=”How Luke Littler celebrated incredible World Darts Championship win as he beams at message from hero David Beckham” embed=”in-page” experience_id=”” height=”100%” language_detection=”” max_height=”360px” max_width=”640px” min_width=”0px” mute=”” padding_top=”56%” picture_in_picture=”” player_id=”default” playlist_id=”” playsinline=”” sizing=”responsive” video_id=”6366678603112″ video_ids=”” width=”640px”]But aged 10, his dad told him to choose between that or the darts as his main sporting aspiration.
In the past, he has received good luck messages from United stars Luke Shaw and Jonny Evans and retired greats Rio Ferdinand and Gary Neville.
Harry Maguire posted “ridiculous” after Friday night’s win while Marcus Rashford reposted a pic of them together at United training ground.
