LUKE LITTLER is excited about Manchester United’s prospects this year – and reckons “most clubs” will be surprised by their revival under boss Ruben Amorim.
United embarrassingly finished 15th in last season’s Premier League, losing 18 league matches as morale hit rock bottom.
Benjamin Sesko has signed for Manchester United for £74million from RB LeipzigGetty
The Slovenian striker scored lots of goals in the German top flight and could fire United to a better league positionGetty
And the Red Devils had the turmoil of losing to Tottenham in the Europa League final in Bilbao, which denied them Champions League football.
It was their worst campaign since they were relegated from the top flight in 1974 and Portuguese chief Amorim, 40, is under pressure to deliver this term.
It has not been easy being a fan of the club and Littler, one of their most high-profile supporters, had to put up with a lot of abuse, especially on social media, from those from rival teams.
Yet performances in the recent Summer Series in the US have given him cause for great optimism.
And the United hierarchy have backed their man, splashing the cash this summer by signing Matheus Cunha (£62.5million), Diego Leon (£7m), Bryan Mbeumo (£65m) and Benjamin Sesko (£74m).
Striker Sesko, 22, has arrived from RB Leipzig and is an exciting young talent who could take the Prem by storm and perhaps solve their scoring issues.
Littler, 18, said: “I’m very excited. I think we are underdogs.
“Obviously from last season, I don’t think anything worse can happen – unless we finish 16th.
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“But yeah, I think it is going to be a very interesting season. Most clubs won’t expect it but I’m expecting top five.”
Man Utd are keen for fellow Treble winner Littler to return to Old Trafford and show off his latest major darts trophy.
Bryan Mbeumo has arrived at Old Trafford as part of a mega-money summer recruitment spendGetty
Matheus Cunha is set to make his United senior debut against Arsenal next weekendGetty
Last month, the Warrington teenager completed the Triple Crown when he beat James Wade 18-13 to lift the Betfred World Matchplay.
Within the space of just 15 months, he has won the sport’s three biggest events – the Premier League Darts, the World Championship and the Matchplay.
On Sunday January 19 – two days before his 18th birthday – Littler showed off the Sid Waddell Trophy to Red Devils fans at half-time of the 3-1 Premier League loss to Brighton.
It is going to be a very interesting season. Most clubs won’t expect it but I’m expecting top five.
Luke Littler on Manchester United’s new Premier League campaign
Following his latest triumph, secured at the Winter Gardens in Blackpool, club insiders would welcome him doing the same again with this pot of silverware.
Though Littler was not even born when United completed the historic Treble in 1999, they see the similarities with his latest achievement.
Luke Littler showed off the Sid Waddell Trophy at Old Trafford in January 2025Getty
Ruben Amorim will be determined to avoid a repeat of last year’s terrible Premier League campaignGetty
No official conversation has been had yet between the two parties but Littler has close links to the management.
SunSport understands they are open to talks and say he is always welcome given his love and loyalty towards United.
On his first VIP visit in January 2024, he met up with legendary boss Alex Ferguson and posed for photos.
United open their Premier League campaign against Arsenal on Sunday August 17.
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