World Cup winner Archer reveals his United idol
World Cup-winning cricketer Jofra Archer recently revealed which Manchester United player first inspired him to start supporting the Reds.
The Barbadian-born star took his 20th wicket of the tournament as England beat New Zealand in Sunday's incredible final at Lord's. The contest was tied twice, firstly when both sides finished their innings with 241 runs and again when they scored 15 runs apiece in a super over, for which Archer was the hosts' bowler.
England, who are captained by another United fan in Eoin Morgan, were awarded the victory for notching the higher combined total of fours and sixes, 26 to New Zealand's 17. Archer was quoted by BBC Sport as saying: "My heart is still racing! It's the biggest thing I've ever won. [The England team is] a great bunch of fellas, a really good family to me."
England, who are captained by another United fan in Eoin Morgan, were awarded the victory for notching the higher combined total of fours and sixes, 26 to New Zealand's 17. Archer was quoted by BBC Sport as saying: "My heart is still racing! It's the biggest thing I've ever won. [The England team is] a great bunch of fellas, a really good family to me."
The fast-bowling sensation, who qualifies for the national team through his English father and a British passport, has been supporting the Reds for over a decade. On a recent visit to adidas's Northern Europe HQ near Stockport, he spoke to Inside United about his love for the club.
Asked about how he started following the team, he highlighted the all-action style of United's greatest goalscorer, Wayne Rooney.
Asked about how he started following the team, he highlighted the all-action style of United's greatest goalscorer, Wayne Rooney.
"It was probably 2007," Archer recalled, "and I’d just recently got a Playstation, and the first team I played FIFA with was Manchester United.
“I liked Rooney – I thought he was the best player, and he probably had the highest rating on the game, as well, at the time.”
“I liked Rooney – I thought he was the best player, and he probably had the highest rating on the game, as well, at the time.”
The bowler, who has drawn widespread acclaim for his languid, seemingly effortless bowling – which sees him often deliver the ball at over 90mph – was drawn in by Rooney's precocious, aggressive style, which made him a crucial player for United at a young age, in a team that featured numerous stellar talents such as Cristiano Ronaldo, Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes and a host of others.
"Wayne was still a bit young then, but he was a senior player and looked the business," Archer told us. "When I play, I’m a striker as well, and I just loved to see him shooting. It didn’t matter if he was in or outside of the box. As long as he was shooting, I was happy."
Jofra Archer on United, Ole and Yorkie Video
Jofra Archer on United, Ole and Yorkie
It was great to host cricket star and lifelong United fan Jofra Archer at Ole's press conference! Let's have a word...
Archer attended his first United game in March – the 3-2 win over Southampton at Old Trafford – and visited the Aon Training Complex a day earlier, where he enjoyed a tour, attended Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's press conference and met some of the Reds' first-team stars.
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