Luke Littler has urged Manchester United to stick with Erik ten Hag, as the managerial situation at Old Trafford remains up in the air.
The teenage darts sensation is a massive Red Devils fan, something which doesn't always endear him to crowds at UK venues, and in the wake of the club's FA Cup triumph, he has openly backed the under-fire Dutchman.
Before United's unexpected win over Manchester City at Wembley last Saturday, it had been widely reported that Ten Hag would be sacked regardless of the result. However, the win, and the surprisingly competent performance, may just have given the club's owners food for thought as they review an otherwise bel0w-par season.
Littler is currently in New York preparing for the US Darts Masters at Madison Square Garden, and while in the Big Apple, he took time to speak to Ariel Helwani on The MMA Hour, with the conversation turning to Littler's beloved football team at one point.
Great pleasure having the darts phenom @LukeTheNuke180 in studio yesterday.
Still can’t believe I choked in the 3 v 3. I will be lamenting this bottle job (like Man City in the FA Cup Final) until we meet again.
All the best, Luke! Keep on smashing it. 🎯 pic.twitter.com/rSNlkatnbL
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) May 30, 2024
Luke Littler backs Erik ten Hag
"I want him to stay no matter what, even if we lost [the cup final]," Littler said. "If you look down the line of managers we've had like Louis van Gaal who won the FA Cup and then got sacked after a season, I think Mourinho's the only one who had two to three years. David Moyes, he only had ten months.
"So I just think we should keep him. Because we're getting these managers for a year or two and they're not doing anything. So if we give them time things might change.
"I like what he does. Just give him time. Give him next season and if he doesn't do 'owt, let him go."
While stars of other sports often attach themselves to football clubs, it's clear that Littler is knowledgable on the subject of Man United, and feels passionately about the goings-on at the club.
It remains to be seen whether Littler will get his wish but the options to replace Ten Hag narrowed slightly on Thursday, when former United assistant boss Keiran McKenna signed a new four-year contract to remain as Ipswich Town manager.
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