Rory McIlroy parades the Claret Jug around Old Trafford at half-time of Manchester United's match with Swansea

Golfer is a big United fan

Rory McIlroy parades The Open Championship trophy around Old Trafford (Getty Images)

Rory McIlroy paraded the Claret Jug around Old Trafford at the half-time of Manchester United's Premier League curtain-raiser against Swansea.

The Northern Irishman was presented in front of United fans with the club 1-0 down after a poor first-half performance.

Ki Sung-Yeung had given the visitors a surprise lead with a neat left-foot finish from outside the box, but Van Gaal's team talk obviously worked, as United were revitalised after the break, with Wayne Rooney equalising just after the break.

The world No 1 has been in sensational form recently, winning three consecutive events and two successive majors.

"It is just incredible," he said after his win at Valhalla. "Never in my wildest dreams did I think I would have a summer like this.

"I am playing the best golf of my life. Today was a bit of a different win - I had to guts it out.

"I think I showed a lot of guts out there."