CHRISTMAS came early for a group of soccer fans who met met their footballing heroes.

The gathering of fans both young and old, was the latest of Manchester United Foundation’s bi-annual Dream Days at the club's Carrington training ground.

The event was given a festive theme, as children and adults with serious and life-limiting illnesses were invited to meet the first-team and enjoy some Christmas cheer.

Cancer patient James Barber, 29, from Stockport “It’s been great to be honest. To meet my favourite players, Ryan Giggs, Robin van Persie, Wayne Rooney, just to meet them in the flesh and get their autographs is a once-in-a-life time opportunity.”

“I was quite nervous this morning, but once I actually met them, they are just normal everyday people.”

Meanwhile, eight-year-old George Bould from Stoke, who has kidney cancer, and was delighted to meet his hero, van Persie

He said: “It was absolutely brilliant; I was really excited and it’s brilliant to see Robin, he signed all my stuff and was really nice.”

Robin sat with George, whilst the pair was interviewed for Match of the Day and George presented the Dutchman with a personalised bracelet, which he proudly wore and shared on his Instagram page later that day.

The Dutch striker explained: “It’s very important to give something back to all our fans, especially fans that have gone through a difficult time in their own way, so it gives me a great feeling to see all these smiles today. I hope it has a big impact on the kids and that we have given them a day they will never forget.”

Wayne Rooney said: “As a parent myself, it’s exciting for me to meet these kids and to be able to put a smile on their face. It’s a great time to be here.”

Assistant manager Ryan Giggs: “It’s important to do things like this, it gives the kids a lift and we as players love getting involved especially around Christmas time.”

Ashley Young added: “It’s nice to be here today and see the kids smiling; you get to see how much the foundation does. It always nice to be involved in the Foundation, they do a lot of hard work and obviously it’s nice to see the smiles on these kids’ faces. It’s also great for the players to meet them.”