Luke Littler FURIOUS at Man Utd collapse: Darts sensation reveals how Ten Hag's flops inspired him

Robin Bairner

5 Apr 2024 11:00 BST
3 min read

Luke Littler was left furious by Man Utd's collapse against Chelsea — © IMAGO

Luke Littler claims that Manchester United’s 4-3 loss against Chelsea helped to spur him onto success in Thursday’s Premier League Darts in Manchester.

Article continues under the video

The 17-year-old has taken the darts world by storm in recent months, making a run to the World Championship final in January and now claiming victory in back-to-back weeks in the Premier League darts.

A Manchester United fan, Littler, who is nicknamed ‘The Nuke’, says that the dramatic collapse of Erik ten Hag’s side prior to his final match, a 6-3 victory over Gerwyn Price, gave him the motivation to go on and win.

“I was in a bad mood. I was like, 'I'm winning this now'. It gave me motivation,” the teenager said. “There were a few Manchester United fans on the walkout so I was glad to win.”

United’s collapse at Stamford Bridge was incredible.

After rallying from 2-0 down to lead 3-2 into stoppage time at the end of the match, Diogo Dalot gave away a penalty from which Cole Palmer converted. The former Manchester City player had early scored from the spot and completed his hat-trick as the Red Devils lost concentration from a corner late in the game and left him unmarked to fire a deflected shot home.

Littler, fuelled by the folding of his favourite football club, now tops the Premier League Dats table on 23 points, one clear of world champion Luke Humphries.

Littlers’ Man Utd love

Littler admitted during the World Championships that he had many well wishes from Man Utd.

“Obviously I’ve got a lot of followers now,” Littler said.

“I’ve had a message off Luke Shaw from Manchester United, Rio Ferdinand and I had a message off Gary Neville and Jonny Evans before my game against Barney so it’s just crazy.

“People I’ve looked up to and especially my club Manchester United, wishing me luck.”

Littler was invited to attend Man Utd’s fixture with Tottenham at Old Trafford in January by the club and saw the Red Devils play out a 2-2 draw.

Read more about: Premier League, Chelsea, Man Utd