United Players Spread Christmas Cheer

Manchester United's stars visited patients at Royal Manchester Children's Hospital and The Christie this week to deliver some early Christmas gifts.

The Reds split into two groups and headed to each hospital armed with hundreds of United goody bags, which had been wrapped by the club's youth players and staff at the Aon Training Complex.

The visits are organised annually by Manchester United Foundation and patients at both hospitals were delighted to meet their footballing heroes, who were more than happy to help raise spirits during the festive period.

Juan Mata visited the children's hospital for the first time since signing for United earlier this year and was touched by the impact the visits can have on the young players.

"I think it’s very nice for us to come here and try to make the children happy," the Spaniard told us. "They are not having a great moment right now but I hope we can put a smile on their faces at least for a bit.

"All the people who work here are unbelievable: they are helping the children to get through this hard time and that it something that I will always respect."

Reds fan Adam Lovell, 23, managed to attend the match against Liverpool on Sunday before embarking on a two-week course of treatment at the cancer centre and was over the moon to be given the opportunity to meet some of his idols.

"I talked to James Wilson about the Liverpool game and how envious I am of him starting at such a young age – it’s something I always wanted to do," an excited Adam said. "It was a great experience to meet and have a chat with James and the rest of the players."

Captain Wayne Rooney was also on hand to deliver some presents and was joined by several team-mates, including Radamel Falcao and Michael Carrick, at The Christie's Palatine Treatment Centre.

They surprised patients on the teenage and young adult unit, as well as the haematology and transplant inpatient unit, who are going through a difficult time this Christmas.

"As a person and a parent I feel it’s important that I try and bring a bit of joy at Christmas time," said Wayne. "We’ve seen how happy it makes the patients when we visit them and it’s about trying to give them a lift over a period that can be difficult, not just for the patients but for the families themselves."