André Onana and Phallon Tullis-Joyce have been awarded with the PFA’s Community Champion award for their ongoing support of Manchester United Foundation throughout the 2023//24 season.

Over the course of the season, both players have been recognised for the outstanding contribution and engagement with local schools and initiatives, bringing positivity and inspiration to young people across the region.

In his first season, André has taken part in a number of Foundation events, including visiting a local Street Reds project on his day off to engage with the young footballers and donating a pair of goalkeeper gloves to each one.

More recently André sat down with a Foundation volunteer to talk about his motivation and what advice he would give to young people struggling.

Carrying out charitable acts is a clear passion for the United goalkeeper, shown in his attendance of two Dream Days during the season where he created lasting memories for fans with life-limiting illnesses.

In the past few weeks - influenced by his own charity, The André Onana Foundation - the goalkeeper donated customised hospital gowns made from his old shirts to young patients at Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital, bringing joy and support to children experiencing a difficult time.

Reflecting on the recognition he said: “I’m so happy and I feel grateful [to receive this award], it’s important for me to give something back to the local community. I have my own Foundation and have also experienced difficulties when I was younger, so I think it’s important to help the younger generations, not just for me, but also as a Manchester United player.

“I’ve really enjoyed working with Manchester United Foundation and seeing the work they do to support young children be the best they can be. There are so many people working behind the scenes, this award is for everybody.”

Manchester United’s Phallon Tullis-Joyce has also gone above and beyond this season in supporting the Foundation. She joined teammate Irene Guerrero at Levenshulme High School earlier in the year to take part in science and Spanish classes, before heading outside to help a fellow young goalkeeper practise her skills.

And in recent weeks, Phallon – who has a degree in Marine Biology – took it upon herself to visit Stretford High School and teach partner school children about marine life, orchestrating a lesson in which they made a cuttlefish out of clay.

When presented with the award Phallon said: “I’m really grateful to receive this, I’ve had a great time being with the community and helping out in any way I can. I just love shedding any kind of light on how awesome our oceans are, and at the school the kids were incredible and loved learning too.

“I think it’s super important to be a part of our community, especially as professional athletes. So many people helped me along the way and this is my way of giving a little bit back and all that I’ve learned and that’s been passed and shared with me, passing that on to future generations is what I’d like to do.”

Each season players are nominated for going above and beyond in their support of the Foundation and the local communities.

The PFA’s CEO Maheta Molango said: “The PFA has once again been immensely proud of the outstanding efforts of players this season and we feel they should be recognised for their support and involvement in the local community

“The Award will hopefully raise awareness of the importance many of our members attach to their roles off the pitch and highlight their continued commitment to support those most in need along with engaging in areas where they have a personal interest. We would like to offer our congratulations to this season’s recipients of the 2023/24 PFA Community Champion Award.”