MANCHESTER United stars took time out in the sun to surprise participants from the Foundation’s disability programme.

Players from Manchester United Foundation’s Ability Counts programme, for young people with physical or neurological disabilities, were delighted to be invited to the Aon Training Complex in Carrington for what they thought was a skills session with their coaches.

Little did they know Manchester United first-teamers Anthony Martial, Marouane Fellaini, Phil Jones, Antonio Valencia, Marcos Rojo, Sergio Romero and Sam Johnstone would be joining them to offer training tips and take part in drills.

Ability Counts coach Danny Boylan commented on the impact the programme and opportunities like the training session last week have on the participants: “To be able to come to the first-team training ground and meet their heroes - you could hear the gasps as they met Anthony Martial, Marcos Rojo and all these players they’ve watched on television for years.

"Now they’ve been able to pass and receive the ball with them and have a laugh and joke.

“Ability Counts offers a level playing field to play football and forget about the things that might hold them back whether it be physically or physiologically.

"For me it’s the best thing in the world to see young people taking these opportunities that they wouldn’t normally have and it’s all thanks to the work of the Foundation.”

Ability Counts offers young people with disabilities the opportunity to play or coach football on a weekly basis, with the Manchester United Foundation programme growing into one of the largest in the Premier League.

Teams train at the legendary Cliff Training Ground and the focus is on players with sensory, physical and neurological impairments or disabilities, with sign communicators present at all sessions.

For more information visit www.mufoundation.org/abilitycounts