Manchester United players welcomed a group of special guests at Carrington, meeting supporters with life-limiting illnesses at Manchester United Foundation’s latest Dream Day on Tuesday.
The heartwarming event – which takes place twice a season – saw the men’s first-team squad enjoy precious moments with supporters. Head coach Michael Carrick joined players including Bruno Fernandes, Harry Maguire, Carlos Baleba, Kobbie Mainoo and their Reds team-mates to pose for photos, sign autographs and enjoy one-to-one interactions with fans, some of whom had travelled from as far as Norway to be at Carrington.
Each season, the Foundation works with external charities to make dreams come true for deserving fans, providing the special experience of meeting their heroes and watching a training session, in what is always a special day in Manchester United’s calendar.
Expressing how much these days mean to players, club captain Fernandes said: “It’s very special for us to be here and be able to give a little bit of joy to the kids and their families. It’s always a very proud moment for us to make their day.
“They are always so positive and have such kind words, that energy goes both ways and this is what Manchester United is all about. It is part of the culture of the club.”
Harry Maguire added: “It means everything to be here, it’s always special to have these days and to see the kids. It brings a fresh energy to the room and there are lots of smiles and excitement, so it’s really nice for us to come and see that.
“We know what tough times these fans are going through and how resilient they’ve been. They’re a huge inspiration for us. It’s a special day to have and one that we always look forward to as a team.”
One supporter, Michael, travelled with his son Oscar from Scotland for the event. He said: “It’s hard to put into words, it’s really emotional. I think Oscar is still in disbelief at meeting the players, but it means the absolute world. It’s probably the best experience of my life to be honest.
“Oscar was born with a rare condition called tracheo-oesophageal fistula which meant he had to have a lot of surgeries after his birth. During that time, he spent six months in intensive care before he could go for surgery again, but he still had to go for regular surgeries to maintain that. He handles everything so well and takes it in his stride, so it’s nice to be able to come down here and reward his resilience and show him the joy of overcoming all of that.”
It was a well-deserved treat for Oscar, who clearly enjoyed every second of the experience. He added: “It’s been amazing to meet the players; my favourite was Kobbie Mainoo!
"I felt amazed to meet them. It’s very exciting and very special – I’ve loved it.”