Man Utd send message to Luke Littler after 16-year-old beats Michael van Gerwen to win first pro darts title

A CONGRATULATORY message from his beloved Manchester United double-topped the lot for Luke Littler after his thrilling Friday history-making.

The whizkid, who will turn 17 on Sunday, notched a televised nine-darter and then beat legend Michael van Gerwen in the final of the Bahrain Darts masters.

And as more praise flowed in for the 2023 World Championship finalist, one post in particular stood out for Luke the Nuke following his latest incredible feats.

United posted an Old Trafford snap of Littler holding a Red Devils' shirt with No180 on it and wrote: "Congratulations to United fan on winning his first senior title on debut."

Littler's girlfriend Eloise Milburn, 21, shared her pride on Instagram, saying: "You never fail to amaze me!

"And omggg a nine-darter. Wish I could have seen it in person.in person, so proud."

Player-turned-pundit Wayne Mardle simply posted: "WOW! LUKE LITTLER!"

And football supporters followed up United's tribute with comments like "The main man" and "utterly ridiculous talent".

And with United toiling in just seventh place in the Premier League, some fans even joked that the boy wonder from Warrington should turn his hand to playing for them.

Littler sent the quality through the roof by becoming the youngest player to produce a televised nine-darter.

That came in his 6-3 victory over friend and practice partner Nathan Aspinall in the quarter-final.

The new hero of the Ally Pally then humbled world No5 Gerwyn Price 7-3.

And even more spectacularly, he sent three-time world champ Van Gerwen packing in the final by 8-5.

One fan reacted: "And in style beating big players and a 9 darter. the lad's for real."

Another said: "Beat some huge names, 9 darter big fish checkout, what a player."

Not surprisingly, however, Littler claims it's all too much to take in.

After topping Dutch master Van Gerwen, he said: "What have I done? You tell me. I don’t know. I’m happy to win.

"It has been unbelievable this week. Us eight in the Premier League and the eight Asian qualifiers, who were brilliant as well.

"I haven’t really set any goals this year. I didn’t expect to pick up this trophy this week. It has been good to come here, with great people, a great crowd on my side.

"I am just happy. There are no goals this year, I’ll just see what my darts do."

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