A class of Year 5 children from St. Alphonsus RC Primary School in Stretford were taking part in a healthy eating lesson with the club’s head chefs, when to their surprise in walked Manchester United first-team players including Anthony Martial, Victor Lindelof, Scott McTominay, Joel Pereira and team captain Michael Carrick.

To the children’s delight the players took part in pancake flipping challenges and made their own pancakes for the children to help garnish. 

Ellie, 10, said, “We thought we were coming to Old Trafford to make pancakes so it was a surprise to see the players because no one knew they were coming. My favourite was Martial because he signed our certificates before he left.”

Sean, 9, added, “We learnt different techniques of how to make pancakes and got to try different foods.  My favourite player was Martial as well because he signed our certificates and we had a picture with him too, which was really good.

The pupils also impressed the players with their language skills.  “We learn French in school and we sang the ‘Au Revoir’ song to Martial when he left,” said Sean. “We also learnt the names of some of the ingredients in French.”

St. Alphonsus is partnered with Manchester United Foundation through its Primary Schools Programme.  Dedicated coaches deliver healthy eating and physical literacy courses in association with the national Premier League Primary Stars initiative.