Manchester United stars have shown their support to brave Cumbrian Danny Hodgson on their pre-season trip to Australia.
Danny, who was seriously injured in an unprovoked attack last year, met some of the Red Devils' first-team players in Perth.
The west Cumbrian was invited to Man Utd's training session at the WACA before chatting to players including goalkeeper David de Gea.
MAN UTD TOUR DIARY: David de Gea and teammates in touching gesture to Perth footballer who suffered life-changing injuries in unprovoked attack | @DiscoMirror https://t.co/Ev4M4fN67T pic.twitter.com/KGPXTqlc4D
— Mirror Football (@MirrorFootball) July 21, 2022
Danny was accompanied by members of his family and partner Jessica, whilst a fundraiser in support of Danny is also being held by the Perth branch of the Man Utd supporters' association, raising $5,000 in just three days.
Stuart Darwell, vice-chairman of the Perth branch, told The Mirror: “We knew Danny was a United supporter, and when we learned United were coming to Perth, we thought we should try to do something for him."
A silent auction is also being held in Perth in aid of Danny, 26.
Stage is set for the Robbo Q&A and Silent Auction. All proceeds go to Danny Hodgson#MUFC #MUTOUR22 pic.twitter.com/jMZ6Cl6j6k
— PerthMUSC (@PerthMUSC) July 21, 2022
It is not the first time Manchester United have reached out to the battling Cumbrian.
Last year, thanks to Red Devils' Whitehaven-born keeper Dean Henderson, a message of support was read out over the PA system at Old Trafford.
Henderson and Cristiano Ronaldo also sent video messages of support to Danny.
It followed the devastating incident last September when he was the victim of an unprovoked one-punch attack by a teenage boy, who has since been sentenced to three years and eight months in juvenile detention.
Former Carlisle United youth footballer Danny was left fighting for his life but astounded doctors and his family with his recovery.
He attended the Man Utd session in his wheelchair, whilst he is continuing to make progress as he learns to walk again.
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