Luke Littler Reflects on His Unforgettable Visit to Man Utd and Conversation with Sir Alex Ferguson
LUKE LITTLER has expressed that showcasing the Sid Waddell Trophy at Old Trafford stands out as one of the most unforgettable moments of his life.
A devoted Manchester United enthusiast, Littler, known as The Nuke, was invited to witness their home Premier League match against Brighton last month.
The Red Devils faced a 3-1 defeat during a poignant event for the club, as legend Denis Law had passed away just days prior at the age of 84.
Littler, at just 18 years old, made history by becoming the youngest world darts champion after defeating Michael van Gerwen 7-3 in the Ally Pally final earlier this year.
Additionally, celebrating alongside other United supporters at halftime was a particularly memorable experience.
He remarked: “It was quite possibly one of the greatest moments of my life and one that I will cherish forever.
“I was meant to present the trophy before the game, but due to Denis Law’s passing, there was an empty seat in his honor on matchday.
“I was seated right behind Sir Alex Ferguson, and I had the opportunity to chat with him for a while, which was fantastic. It’s one of the most remarkable experiences I’ve had.”
This season, United are experiencing one of their most challenging top-flight campaigns, and there is immense pressure on the players to consistently perform.
Littler, who boasts 1.8 million followers on Instagram, is well aware of the weight of such expectations and now feels a target on his back at the oche.
When asked what advice he would give to young United players about handling fame and success, he said: “I try to ignore social media — that’s crucial.
“In the realm of football, it’s a completely different scenario. You need to stay grounded. In darts, it’s an individual sport, but with United, you have an entire team by your side, so it’s essential to stay united.”
The world No. 2 is heading to Belfast today in preparation for tomorrow night’s opening of the Premier League Darts.
This marks the commencement of 16 consecutive Thursday nights filled with action from eight top-tier players.
The matchups will take place across seven countries, culminating in the play-offs at London’s O2 during Week 17.
In Northern Ireland, Van Gerwen will be Littler’s opponent in the quarter-finals, eager for retribution after Ally Pally.
The Warrington star, who clinched the Prem title in 2024 during his first season, stated: “What I achieved in my inaugural year on tour was phenomenal.
“With all the trophies and major titles I need to defend, it sets the expectation. It’s going to be a demanding year ahead.
“We undergo certain tournaments behind closed doors, but us players genuinely prefer competing in front of a live crowd.
Luke Littler prize money breakdown

Here’s a summary of the prize money Luke Littler has accumulated after being crowned the 2025 PDC World Darts Championship winner:
World Championship 2025 – £500,000
World Championship 2024 – £200,000
Grand Slam of Darts 2024 – £150,000
European Tour – £91,000
Player Championships events – £71,500
Players Championship final runner-up – £60,000
UK Open 2023 + 2024 – £17,500
World Matchplay – £10,000
World Grand Prix – £7,500
European Championship – £7,500
(Unranked) Premier League Darts – £315,000
TOTAL: £1.43 million
“This is unique to our sport, where the fans are always supporting you during your throws. It definitely adds pressure.
“But I genuinely relish the atmosphere when tens of thousands of supporters fill the arena — and I’m eagerly anticipating the start of the Premier League.
“There’s a weight of expectation to defend the trophy, but it spans a lengthy 16 weeks. As long as I rank in the top four, I’ll advance to the O2 for the semi-finals.”
Littler’s joy with United comes after his name was temporarily honored with a STADIUM being named after him — albeit for just 24 hours.
His local rugby team, the Warrington Wolves, intends to commemorate his achievement by renaming the Halliwell Jones Stadium for their Super League opener against the Catalan Dragons later this month.
A lifelong Wolves supporter, Littler expressed: “It’s a dream realized that the club I’ve supported since childhood is naming the stadium in my honor for one night!
“It’s an incredible privilege, and I can’t express enough gratitude to the club.”
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