Luke Littler has made a statement just days before the World Darts Championship after being spotted in Manchester United’s 4-1 win away to Wolves. Tottenham player James Maddison, who was the night’s commentator, revealed on Sky Sports that he had exchanged text messages with Littler before the match and that the world darts champion would be among the United fans.
Sky Sports cameras then spotted Littler among United fans celebrating the victory. Jean-Ric Bellegarde canceled out Bruno Fernandes’ opener, but goals from Brian Mbeumo and Mason Mount put United in the lead, before Fernandes finished off the game with a second goal from the penalty spot. The victory moved United to just one point above the Champions League places. Some were surprised to see Littler in a Premier League match, given that the World Championship begins this week and the teenager will be playing at Alexandra Palace on Thursday.
Littler then posted on social media: “Great result on the first day away. I’m going to relax for a few days and prepare for the World Championship on Thursday.” World No. 1 Littler begins his world title defense against Darius Labanauskas on Thursday night.
The defending champions will play in one of four opening night games in the 128-player expansion tournament. No fighter has defended a world title in the last 10 years, but Littler has made it clear that is his goal.
After the draw with Lithuania’s Rabanauskas, Littler told Sky Sports: “The defense is different. We’ve won the last few majors and we have a big tournament coming up.
“Gary Anderson was the last person to do a back-to-back and that was 10 years ago. I’m going to try a back-to-back. Only three people have done it before and the last one was 10 years ago. So I want to do a back-to-back.”
“I’m very happy with the draw. He’s not the fastest player in the world, but the important thing is to get through the first round. It’s not easy, but we just have to work hard to get through the first round.”
“If you’re nervous, you’ll know how to handle it. Last year you didn’t know anything, but this year you know what’s going to happen.”
Another man plotting Littler’s downfall is world No. 2 Luke Humphries. He will win his second Sid Waddell Trophy with Ally Pally and return to the top of the rankings.
“The last two years I’ve been No. 1 in the world and now I’m No. 2 in the world,” Humphries said. “It’s up to me to find the hunger to challenge him – to regain the number one spot.
“I knew it was going to happen because if I don’t win this year’s World Championship, I won’t be world number one anyway. Not much has changed. If I win the world championship, I have a chance to be world number one again, but if I don’t win, I have to fight hard and work harder. It will make me a better player, but this is a new chapter in my career.”
“I’m going to work hard to get it back. I’m not going to let him have it forever.”
