FUTURE Manchester United stars have been inspiring Leigh youngsters to work hard, never give up and always try their best.

Joel Pereira and Liam Grimshaw spent the day with year five pupils at Leigh CE Junior School as part of the Premier League club’s 'make United look the business' programme and the talented duo took part in a question and answer session before putting the children through their paces.

Joel and Liam said they were inspired by David De Gea and Paul Scholes when they were growing up and if they weren’t footballers, both said they’d like to be an electrician.

Joel, who is a member of Manchester United’s Under 21 squad, which plays their home games at Leigh Sports Village, said: “It was a really enjoyable afternoon.

“It’s great to see the kids so excited about being active.”

Liam added: “I liked PE at school so I would have loved to have had professional footballers come and visit.

“I remembered that feeling and we hope the children were inspired to follow their dreams.”

Players also visited Bedford High School and Wigan and Leigh College’s Sixth Form Centre and they teamed up with Leigh Sports Village to give away free tickets for the next Under 21s game against Leicester City on November 3.

Year Five teacher Laura Skitt said: “It’s been wonderful to have the players at school.

“We’re now working with the Manchester United Foundation for the rest of the academic year and programmes like these really inspire children to be passionate about their interests, whether they’re sporting or not.

“What Joel and Liam said about trying your best and never giving up is something we talk about in class every day but to hear it from professional footballers who have followed their dreams has such an impact.”

Manchester United U21s play Leicester City at Leigh Sports Village on Monday at 7pm.