MANCHESTER United welcomed fans with life limiting illnesses to their Carrington training ground.

The likes of Wayne Rooney and Juan Mata lent their support to the Manchester United Foundation’s biannual ‘Dream Days’ event at the AON Training Complex, posing for photos and signing autographs.

Eleven-year-old Nathan, who suffers from chronic kidney failure, said: “It was the best day I’ve ever had.

“I enjoyed watching training and seeing the players practice their shooting. I also met Mata and Di Maria; they signed my t-shirt and book.”

Nathan’s father, Valdi, added: “Today was a dream come true for him; it’s a different experience watching them on the TV to actually meeting them personally.

“Nathan has always said he wanted to meet them and had been looking forward since we found out.”

It was the first experience of the Foundation’s ‘Dream Day’ for the club’s manager, Louis Van Gaal.

The Dutchman was pleased with the way in which his players approached the event.

“The players are role models to the fans and it’s good that they want to get involved. It's not an obligation for them, they just do it and I’m very happy that they all came along to support this,” he said.

The players themselves were more than happy to support the work of the Manchester United Foundation and many were pleased to have a chance to give something back to the fans, after a testing couple of seasons on the pitch.

United defender, Phil Jones, said: “It means everything to these fans. For us it puts it into perspective and makes you aware of how fortunate people are at times.”

Geraldine McKiernan, charity relationship executive for the Foundation, who organised the Dream Day, concluded: “It was a fantastic day and the players have created some very special memories for these fans that will never be forgotten.”