Manchester United supporter and darts superstar Luke Littler was speaking after victory in the Premier League on Thursday night in Sheffield
Luke Littler all smiles in Sheffield as he beat Luke Humphries to win night 16 of the Premier League
Luke Littler all smiles in Sheffield as he beat Luke Humphries to win night 16 of the Premier League(Image: Getty Images)
Darts teenage sensation Luke Littler has backed Manchester United to respond positively next season despite losing the Europa League final to Tottenham Hotspur in Bilbao.
In a match of few chances, Spurs secured their victory with less than three minutes of the first half remaining. Brennan Johnson bundled the ball in for the North London club as United failed to clear their lines from a cross.
United huffed and puffed for an equaliser but Guglielmo Vicario was very rarely threatened. Rasmus Hojlund had a header cleared off the line and Luke Shaw had one of his own saved but, in truth, United did not do enough to bring the Europa League back to Old Trafford.
Just 24 hours later, Littler showed United how to win under pressure as he won the final regular night of the Premier League season in Sheffield. Beating Leeds supporter Luke Humphries in the final, the 18-year-old heads to The O2 next week for the play-offs.
Before leaving the Steel City, Littler spoke to SportsBoom about United and his reaction to the loss on Wednesday night. "Losing that game last night, everyone knows financially what it's done to us, but fair play to Spurs," he explained.
"What did they have? Three shots in the first half and that's all, then sat behind the ball, but they did a great job.
"I do think next season it's going to help us obviously not playing midweek. I think quite a few times this year in the Premier League, teams who aren't in Europe, they have a week off so everyone can get back to a hundred percent, so it might help us."
Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes
Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes(Image: Maciej Rogowski/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images.)
While United will be hoping next season's more relaxed schedule will help them rediscover their form, they may have to do it without captain Bruno Fernandes. It is understood that Saudi Pro League club Al Hilal are interested in the midfielder and Fernandes has told the media that he will leave if the club decide the time is right to cash in.
It is thought Fernandes, who turns 31 in September, would be able to command an eye-watering £120m bid from Al Hilal in the summer. However, Littler is of the mindset that United should do everything in their power to get him to stay, simply replying: "Shambles," to the prospect of the skipper leaving Old Trafford.
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