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Fan Mail: Rooney surprises fan who cycled across 20 countries

16 May 2024

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Man Utd legend meets a supporter of the club who cycled from Mongolia to Old Trafford

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In May 2023, Ochirvaani "Ochiroo" Batbold left his home country of Mongolia to embark on a 14,000km cycling journey to Manchester United's stadium, Old Trafford. 

He has supported the Red Devils since 2010 and his first memory is the match versus Liverpool in September 2010 - a game famous for Dimitar Berbatov's hat-trick in a 3-2 win.

Batbold wrote a letter to the club, explaining: "I'm currently cycling from my home in Mongolia to Old Trafford because I love Manchester United. Wayne Rooney has always been my hero. I loved his relentless work ethic, versatility and ability to rise to the occasion in crucial moments. He was always an inspiration.

"When I was younger all I ever wanted to do was to be a professional footballer and to play for Manchester United, however I experienced a difficult situation. I lost a significant amount of money after being deceived by someone posing as a football agent. I felt like I was living a nightmare."

When the club saw the letter and read his story, they decided to organise a very special surprise involving United legend Rooney.

Batbold thought he had been invited to a tour of Old Trafford, but Rooney appeared from the concourse to meet him in person.

Rooney said: "I really wanted to come and meet you and just say well done! I know you might think that we inspire you, or we inspire the fans, but what you've done is an incredible achievement and you should be really proud of what you've done." 

To make Batbold's trip even more memorable, he was invited back to the stadium to watch Man Utd against Arsenal, where he had the opportunity to soak up the atmosphere from the directors' box and meet Sir Alex Ferguson and club captain Bruno Fernandes.

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