'I'll prove them wrong' - Man United fan Nathan Aspinall eyeing darts upset with FA Cup inspiration

Manchester United fan and Stockport lad Nathan Aspinall is relishing the prospect of defending his World Matchplay title, despite going into the tournament with an injury.

Aspinall enjoyed the biggest win of his career when claiming the Matchplay title in Blackpool last July and delivered the most dominant display in a final at Winter Gardens since 2009.

After that landmark breakthrough, Aspinall paraded the Matchplay trophy at Edgeley Park, home of Stockport County. The world number four in darts is a local hero in Stockport and he's already received dozens of messages of support ahead of his Matchplay defence this weekend.

Aspinall visited the Manchester Evening News' office in March for a podcast to discuss United and his homecoming to the AO Arena for the Premier League of darts, and he spoke exclusively to the MEN again earlier this week about his thoughts before the Matchplay tournament.

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The World Matchplay is one of darts' most prestigious tournaments and Aspinall is hopeful of going all the way again, despite currently nursing an arm injury that is causing him problems.

"To win a major like the Matchplay was a dream come true," Aspinall said about last year's success. "My family were there, my friends were there, it's my local tournament and the support I got was unreal and my performance in that game were the best darts I've played.

"I've watched that game back a lot, and I think when you practice day in and day out, you always have a spell of 20 minutes or half an hour when you know you can't miss and you're praying and hoping that comes in a final. Once the score got to 5-5, I