Seven-year-old Belfast boy enjoys unforgettable moment after leading out Manchester United alongside Bruno Fernandes for Premier League derby against Manchester City
Seven-year-old Bobby Moore from Belfast enjoyed an unforgettable afternoon after leading out Manchester United for their Premier League derby clash against Manchester City at Old Trafford.
Bobby, who was born with a rare genetic condition known as spinal muscular atrophy, caught the attention of United captain Bruno Fernandes with a celebration that went viral after the Red Devils defeated rivals City 2-1 in December thanks to a dramatic late Amad Diallo strike.
Portuguese international Fernandes also received a letter from Bobby as part of the Premier League's Fan Mail series and invited the youngster along to United’s Carrington training base.
The pair shared lunch before Fernandes gave Bobby a tour of the facility and then offered him the opportunity to be his mascot for Sunday’s derby.
Bobby’s dream became reality when he accompanied Fernandes out at Old Trafford and in the process created a piece of history, becoming the first United mascot who uses a powerchair – it’s bright red in honour of his love for the club.
"Manchester United and the Premier League are set to welcome an important young fan as a mascot for our meeting with Manchester City at Old Trafford,” the club posted on their website. “Seven-year-old Bobby Moore is a football-obsessed Red and has recently had the chance to meet his United hero, Bruno Fernandes, before leading the team out onto the pitch with the Portugal international.
“Bobby was born with a rare genetic condition known as spinal muscular atrophy, which requires him to use a powerchair and, such is his passion for his club, it just had to be a bright red one.
“That passion shone through when the young United fan's celebration went viral earlier in the season with his ecstatic reaction to our captain knocking home one of his signature penalties.
"The feelgood clip caught the attention of Fernandes, who received a letter from Bobby as part of the Premier League's Fan Mail series to learn more about the supporter's love for all things United.
“Invited down to our Carrington training base to take part in a powerchair football session, Bobby's day got even better when he was surprised on the pitch by none other than his idol, Fernandes.
“The captain took the young Red for lunch and a tour of Carrington, during which, he met some of the other United stars who will take to the pitch today (Sunday).
“To top it all off, Fernandes repaid Bobby for his endless support by offering him the chance to be our mascot for the home derby – the reverse of the fixture which provoked the initial viral reaction.
"Thanks for joining us, Bobby. We hope you enjoy your day!”