Manchester United to invite Rory McIlroy to parade Claret Jug at Old Trafford following Open victory

The Northern Irishman joked about his support for Manchester United after winning the Open at Hoylake on Merseyside on Sunday

Rory McIlroy and the Claret Jug (GETTY IMAGES)

Manchester United are planning to invite Rory McIlroy to parade the Claret Jug at Old Trafford, in recognition of his triumph in The Open on Sunday.

McIlroy braved the Liverpool contingent at Hoylake, on Merseyside, on Sunday when he declared that he was a United fan and the club’s board are ready to acknowledge his success by inviting him in to show off the trophy. Plans are in the early stages but it would seem that McIlroy, a lifelong United fan, will appear on the pitch at the club’s opening home game of the season, the visit of Swansea City on 16 August.

McIlroy revealed his United affinity moments after clinching his third major – to follow the US Open and USPGA – at Hoylake. He joked: “Even being a Manchester United fan I got great support this week and I want to thank everyone for that.”

Other athletes have paraded at Old Trafford, including Usain Bolt and David Haye (GETTY IMAGES)

His comments drew ironic boos from fans at the course. The response at Old Trafford will be different, as United launch into a new season in which they hope to put the 2013/14 disaster behind them.