Fans Have A Dream Day At United

Manchester United Foundation made it possible for excited young supporters to mingle with first-team stars on Monday at the latest Dream Day event.

Dream Days are held twice a year and take place at the Aon Training Complex, enabling fans who have serious and life-limiting illnesses to meet the players at the Jimmy Murphy Centre and watch them train. The invited guests travel from different parts of the country, with a few even coming from overseas countries including Malta and Canada.

United midfielder Paul Pogba, who was attending his first-ever Dream Day, said: "You realise how lucky you are when you see them fighting and battling with their conditions. We give our love to these children and to sign a shirt and have photographs with them is just a pleasure. I want to make them smile and make their day happy."

Juan Mata added: "I always say that to be a football player for Manchester United gives you a chance to put a lot of smiles on people's faces. These children are having a difficult time and we are able to put a smile on their faces and we feel very proud of that."

Echoing his team-mates' comments, Reds captain Wayne Rooney explained: "Days like this are very important to the players. We come and see the kids and brighten up their day. It’s important for us to know we can be here for them."

Reece, a nine-year-old from Swinton who suffers from a heart defect, only found out on the day where he was going. "I was really excited. When we got here, we watched all the players train and I got my shirt signed. It’s been really exciting and it was really good to also do a few interviews with the players."

Natalie, Reece's mum, was grateful for the boost she felt it would give her son. "It's just been wonderful to see him so happy," she said. "It's been amazing, he's absolutely loved it."