Manchester United Foundation participants have enjoyed a special day following in the footsteps of their United heroes by playing on the pitch at Old Trafford.

As part of an experience offered by club partner adidas, young people from across Foundation projects were invited to spend time playing on the legendary surface that Bruno Fernandes, Katie Zelem, Marcus Rashford and Ella Toone et al call home.

More than 150 young people were given this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity on what was a glorious Manchester spring day, with the players participating in small-sided training drills and mini-games before moving into a tournament format.

The memorable day was aided by young people from our post-16 education programmes, volunteering their time to support the running of the day – and they later had the chance to play in a full-sided match of their own, too.

Volunteering and employability co-ordinator Christina McDowell said: “We’re here for our end-of-season pitch day, which is gifted to the Foundation by our partner, adidas.

“We’ve had our partner schools down playing in matches, with volunteers from the college and the degree programme who also played a game at the end of the day.

“It’s been a nice reward for our participants, they have loved it and are so excited. They are coming up to us and are just buzzing. The atmosphere here is amazing, it’s something they will remember for the rest of their lives.”

One of the participants, Henry, said: “It’s a dream come true. It feels weird, but it’s a dream. I’ve dreamed about this for two years.

“Now I’ve walked out of the tunnel too and it made me feel like one of the players.”

Those who took part in the day came from across the Foundation’s partner primary schools, partner high schools and free Street Reds sessions, which span 21 sites.

Among those were four young people from our projects in Northern Ireland – travelling from across the Irish Sea to Manchester and back all in one day for the memorable experience.

Cillian, who attends our partner school St Joseph’s Boys’ School in Derry/Londonderry, was ecstatic at having the chance to play at the Reds’ famous home following previous visits to Old Trafford as a fan.

He said: “It’s my third time at Old Trafford. The first time we were here, we did the tour, and they said, ‘If you put one wee foot on the pitch, you’re out!’

“The second time it was at the far end of the Stretford End for a match, I enjoyed that too. It was my birthday and my name was on the screen and in the programme!

“Now [playing at Old Trafford], it feels amazing, like a dream come true.”

Well done to all of the young people who participated in our end-of-season pitch day!