Robert to lead out United

Robert Davies got to meet his hero Ruud Van Nistelrooy

A young football fan from west Wales diagnosed with a rare bone disease will lead out Manchester United for the Community Shield game in Cardiff on Sunday.

Robert Davies from Burry Port was forced to quit the game last year after doctors found he had Osgood-Schlatter Disease, which limits his movement.

The 14-year-old's mother Lidia wrote to United manager Sir Alex Ferguson asking if there was anything the team could do to cheer up Robert.

Last month he attended a pre-season training session in Manchester where he met his hero Ruud Van Nistelrooy.

And on Sunday he will be the club's match day mascot at the traditional Premiership curtain raiser.

Mrs Davies said: "Robert has been playing football since he was seven but last August had to give it up.

"It's the social life he misses as well - going away on tour. He does not see those boys anymore.

"He was a bit depressed and I did not know what to do to try and lift his spirits.

Roy Keane was an angel and nothing was too much trouble for him Lidia Davies

"I decided to write to Alex Ferguson and we were invited to the training ground in July."

Robert got to meet many of the players and Mrs Davies said they could not have been more friendly.

"Roy Keane was there until the end. He made sure he spoke to all the children, posed for pictures and signed autographs.

"He was an angel and nothing was too much trouble for him."

Robert is now looking forward to the big match against Arsenal at the Millennium Stadium.

"This week the club sent down a full strip and some tickets for the game as well," added Mrs Davies.

"The family will be taping the game while we are up there.

"It has really lifted him and he has been a different child since we've come back from Manchester."