Dream Day for kids as they meet Reds stars
UNITED fans with serious illnesses got the chance to meet their football heroes at a dream day out with the first team.
Star players took a break from training to pose for photos with excited fans at their Carrington training ground as part of the club foundation’s commitment to charity.
Striker Romelu Lukaku, Marcus Rashford, and David de Gea were among the players who took part in United’s latest ‘Dream Day’ event and gave supporters the opportunity to watch their team training at the Aon Training Complex ahead of the game against Huddersfield on Saturday.
The 16 youngsters, who are living with serious illnesses such as leukaemia and diabetes, had travelled from all over the country to spend time with their idols – with 13-year-old fan Alex even flying in from New York to get a selfie with Nemanja Matic.
For Matic the heart-warming day, which takes place twice a year, was his first since joining United at the start of the season. He said: “I know that this means a lot for them and I’m happy if we make them smile a little bit.”
Jesse Lingard, who was snapped doing a ‘dab’ with a smiling fan, said the day was a chance to let them ‘enjoy the moment.’
He said: “It’s massively important to see the smiles on their faces as we walk in the door. “Every Manchester United team player is a part of it, especially the young players – they learn from experiences like this.”
Midfielder Juan Mata was presented with a rose and a letter by adoring fan Alice, who has type 1 diabetes, so the United star returned the favour and handed her a personalised signed bib he wore at training. Defender Phil Jones said: “These days are always important – we’re their heroes and it’s nice for them to see us in the flesh and we can go round and sign some autographs and shirts and stuff so it’s really nice.
“It’s an eye-opener and it’s really nice to come and visit the kids.
“You see it when we come in here, it puts a smile on their faces, they’re happy and that’s what you want to see all the time.” Jesse Lingard