United bring festivity to MUDSA Christmas party

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Monday, December 16, 2024, at 5:00 PM.

It's that time of year for generosity, and the yearly Christmas celebration hosted by the Manchester United Disabled Supporters’ Association was nothing short of fantastic.

The Christmas party holds a special place in the MUDSA committee's yearly schedule. It’s a long-standing tradition that has been celebrated since MUDSA was established in 1989, bringing joy to both supporters and United players alike.

This week, more than 90 members of MUDSA gathered at Old Trafford for a lively afternoon featuring delicious food, music, and a sense of community. Notably, it was the first opportunity for attendees to meet players from both the men's and women's teams of United.

Ella Toone was the first to show up, joined by Aoife Mannion, Lisa Naaslund, and Evie Rabjohn, right after their impressive 4-0 victory against Liverpool last Sunday.

Celebrating with MUDSA's Video

Celebrating The Season With MUDSA

These touching moments from MUDSA's yearly Christmas celebration at Old Trafford are sure to bring a smile to your face.

Not long after, the first team of Ruben Amorim, along with players like Marcus Rashford, Amad, Kobbie Mainoo, Casemiro, Antony, Lisandro Martinez, Leny Yoro, Matthijs De Ligt, Joshua Zirkzee, Manuel Ugarte, Noussair Mazraoui, and Tyrell Malacia, joined the group.

The arrival of each player thrilled the fans present, and all the players took the time to engage with their supporters by chatting, taking pictures, and signing personal memorabilia.

"It really matters to us as players. Being here and sharing the experience with our fans is fantastic. Their support energizes us every time we play, and when we're out on the field, their enthusiasm lifts us even more. So, it's essential for us to be here and enjoy the day with them," said the in-form striker Amad.

Marcus Rashford stated, "It's always nice to see familiar faces. It’s turned into a bit of a tradition, and whenever we have the opportunity, we make an effort to participate—especially during times like Christmas and New Year."

At his first MUDSA event, Joshua Zirkzee shared his excitement, saying, "It's wonderful to see so many fantastic people here. I'm enjoying myself a lot and I hope they're all having fun too. It's nice to interact with the fans. It's a beautiful day."

Giving Back To You: Our Commitment

You'll really enjoy these fantastic photos from our yearly MUDSA Christmas celebration, where our supporters got the chance to meet their idols.

Each year, members of MUDSA choose their player of the year, and this time Niall Ajayi and Emma Simister from the MUDSA committee awarded the trophies to the winners, Amad and Ella Toone.

When Ella accepted her award, she expressed, "I'm really happy to be acknowledged by everyone here. I like to believe that I put in a lot of effort when I'm playing, and it feels great to know that others notice that too."

Rick McGagh, who oversees Fan Engagement, expressed, "The MUDSA Christmas party is a standout event each year, and today was one of the best we've had. It's a wonderful occasion that unites everyone, especially during this festive season, and seeing the joy on the fans' faces as they connect with their favorite players is heartwarming. The players had a great time today and appreciated the chance to bond with our dedicated supporters."

This year's event held special significance due to the recent loss of Chas Banks MBE, a dear friend of the club and the MUDSA Secretary since 2016.

Rick Clement delivered a heartfelt tribute to Chas and was named as his replacement for the role of MUDSA secretary. He promised to uphold Chas's legacy and to carry on the excellent work done within the club and in collaboration with the Manchester United Foundation.

Earlier this week, the men's first-team squad made a heartfelt trip to the Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital and The Christie Palatine Treatment Centre, spending time with patients and staff. Next week, the women's squad will continue this spirit of giving by visiting various hospitals throughout Greater Manchester to spread some holiday joy to those who are having a tough time this Christmas.

Monday, December 16, 2024, at 5:00 PM