Luke Littler, a rising star in the darts world, was recently seen attending Manchester United’s dramatic 4-4 draw against Bournemouth at Old Trafford, accompanied by his girlfriend, Faith Millar. This outing came just days after a controversial visit to the away end during United’s 4-1 defeat to Wolverhampton Wanderers, which sparked significant backlash from some fans.
Littler, who celebrated a successful start to the World Darts Championship with a 3-0 victory over Darius Labanauskas on December 11, 2023, now prepares for his second round match scheduled for December 21. He will face David Davies, who secured his spot with a 3-1 win over Mario Vandenbogaerde.
The controversy surrounding Littler’s attendance at the Wolves match stemmed from the strict regulations governing away ticket allocations for Manchester United. Fans must be season ticket holders for a minimum of three years and attend every home game, including cup matches, to qualify for away tickets. As a professional darts player, Littler does not meet these criteria. It was reported that the tickets were provided to him by the club’s kit manufacturer, Adidas.
In his latest appearance at Old Trafford, Littler witnessed a thrilling encounter that truly lived up to the “Theatre of Dreams” moniker. United took an early lead with goals from Amad Diallo and Casemiro, finishing the first half at 2-1. However, Bournemouth quickly equalised after the break, challenging United’s long-standing record of not losing at home when leading at halftime since 1984.
The match saw Bruno Fernandes score a stunning free-kick to restore United’s lead, only for Matheus Cunha to add a fourth for Bournemouth shortly after. As the game approached its final moments, a late equaliser from Eli Junior Kroupi set the stage for a nail-biting finish. United’s goalkeeper, Senne Lammens, made crucial saves to secure a point for his team, despite being at fault for Bournemouth’s third goal.
In response to the backlash over his attendance at the Wolves match, Littler took to social media to clarify his position. He expressed frustration at the negative attention, stating, “Everyone just jumps on everything. They don’t know anything.” He explained that his tickets were indeed provided by Adidas, who allocate a certain number of tickets each year for home and away matches.
This latest chapter in Littler’s journey highlights both the pressures of public scrutiny and the challenges of balancing a professional sports career with personal passions. As he prepares for further competition in the darts championship, his dedication to both sports and his support for Manchester United continues to draw attention.
