Luke Littler slammed after star picks controversial Man Utd vs Liverpool combined XI - 'Stick to darts'

Darts sensation Luke Littler has been blasted by football fans for naming six Manchester United players in a combined XI with Liverpool.

The 17-year-old is a lifelong Red Devils supporter and has seemingly allowed some of his bias to sneak into his selections.

Littler's love for United emerged during his run at the World Darts Championship in December and he was sent messages by players past and present.

He was also invited as a guest for the Premier League match against Tottenham in January, as well as making a trip to the training ground to meet the squad.

So maybe it isn't a big surprise that he has backed his United heroes ahead of Sunday's massive match against Liverpool.

Liverpool are a huge 22 points clear of United heading into the match at Old Trafford and are aiming to win a second title under outgoing manager Jurgen Klopp.

Littler was asked by the BBC this week to choose between 22 players to come up with a combined XI of the two sides.

Liverpool trio Alisson, Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah were all selected, as were Dominik Szoboszlai and Andy Robertson.

But Littler chose to pick Diogo Dalot over Trent Alexander-Arnold and Bruno Fernandes over Alexis Mac Allister.

Mac Allister in particular has shone for the Reds since joining from Brighton and his omission surprised many fans.

Littler also picked Harry Maguire, Kobbie Mainoo and Alejandro Garnacho.

He completed his team by selecting Rasmus Hojlund up front instead of the much-improved Darwin Nunez.

And fans took to social media to criticise the teenager for his choice.

One X user wrote: "Stick to darts Luke." While another put: "Lost me at Dalot."

It was a familiar theme with a third writing: "Stick to darts what a load of rubbish!"

While another posted: "Man hasn't watched any football this season."

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The BBC was also criticised for asking Littler. One fan put: "So you’ve used a man United fan to pick who he’d rather have between his team and Liverpool? Well done BBC."

Another user couldn't understand how Littler had come to his selections.

They wrote: "Just a reminder one of the teams is fighting like hell to win a Premier League title.

"The other team is fighting like hell to make the European Conference League."

Littler won his second Premier League night in a row on Thursday in Manchester.

He won despite seeing United concede two stoppage-time goals to lose 4-3 to Chelsea.

He said: "I am glad I won as I just watched Man United concede two in two minutes!"

Littler's combined XI in full: Alisson, Dalot, Van Dijk, Maguire, Robertson, Mainoo, Szoboszlai, Fernandes, Garnacho, Salah, Hojlund.