Luke Littler set to skip Euro Tour event to watch beloved Man Utd at Wembley after making deal with manager
LUKE LITTLER’S reward for Euro glory will be going to WEMBLEY to cheer on Manchester United.
Darts’ teenage sensation, who this week won a fourth Premier League night in Aberdeen, has stormed to two titles on the continent in two months — guaranteeing his place in every major TV event.
And Littler, 17, admitted he was given a huge incentive by his manager Martin Foulds of following Erik ten Hag’s side to the FA Cup final against Manchester City on May 25 . . . if he won enough prize money to get the time off.
‘The Nuke’ beamed: “I’m in! I’m going to Wembley!
“Martin said if I do well and get myself into the Matchplay, Grand Prix and other majors, then he’ll pull me out of stuff so I get time.
“At the minute, I don’t have to do everything.”
Littler has already met his heroes training at Carrington and was a guest at Old Trafford in January when United presented him with a ‘The Nuke 180’ shirt.
And, when asked if Ten Hag’s men can make the trip worthwhile by beating City, he added: “Hopefully!”
First, though, Littler goes for a record fifth Premier League victory in his debut season in Leeds on Thursday.
He has also now won 12 matches in a row after victories in Liverpool and Aberdeen either side of taking the Austrian Open crown last weekend.
CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS
But his winning streak has been achieved despite some crowd aggro.
Littler reacted angrily at fans trying to put him off hitting a winning double in Aberdeen and also had a pint of lager thrown at him after beating Rob Cross 6-4 in the final.
But the World Championship finalist is not worried about another hostile reception in Leeds like the one in Liverpool when he told fans to be quiet.
Littler added: “It’s what every player does. We’ve seen it with a few others this year, whistling. We win the game then just tell them to be quiet. Then go into the next game and if it happens again, it happens again.
“The other players don’t really mention it. I’ll just have to take anything on the chin.
“I’ve not really thought about what to expect in Leeds. But if anything happens I’ll block it out.
“Liverpool was a test but if Leeds is a test I’ve already qualified for the O2 so I’ll just go there and Sheffield without a fear of losing.”
Littler also won in Manchester and Belfast this year but world No 1 Luke Humphries is hot on his heels with three wins.
And Littler added: “Thursday is a massive one for Luke. Me and him had the same idea with me winning Manchester and him to win in Leeds, our home towns.”
Littler also dismissed any talk of him being the best player in the world right now.
He said: “No. I know I’m playing well but I don’t say whether I am or not, I just let my darts do the talking.”