Rinku Singh recently experienced football from a completely different perspective after watching his first live match at Old Trafford. The India cricketer attended the Premier League Manchester Derby between Manchester United and Manchester City at the iconic stadium and was impressed by the atmosphere inside the ground.
Speaking to JioStar, Singh explained that watching football live gave him a feeling that television could not replicate. From the roar of the crowd after a goal to the reaction whenever a player produced a special moment, the India batter enjoyed every aspect of his first stadium experience.
“I consider myself lucky because I got to watch a match between City and United. I was very lucky to be there and watch the match at such a time. It was the first live football match of my life, and it was a completely different feeling altogether. I realised what it feels like to watch a football match live in a stadium. I had only watched matches on TV before, so it felt really good to be there. I loved the vibe. The way the entire crowd supports the team when a goal is scored, or a player does something special, the crowd screams out. That is something you really feel and experience when you are there at the stadium,” Rinku Singh told JioStar.
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Interestingly, Singh admitted that the match even changed his support temporarily. Although he has traditionally followed Manchester United, he found himself leaning towards Manchester City as the derby progressed because of the way both teams were performing. “Yes, I found myself supporting City a little bit as the match went on. United weren’t playing that well, while City were looking better at the time,” Rinku Singh told JioStar.
Singh’s connection with football developed gradually, with fellow Indian cricketer Nitish Rana playing an important role. Singh revealed that he initially wanted to understand the sport better because of its enormous global popularity. Rana’s support for Manchester United eventually influenced Singh and helped him develop an attachment to the club.
⚽🔥 CRICKET MEETS FOOTBALL! 🇮🇳
Rinku Singh soaking up the electric atmosphere of the Manchester Derby at the Theatre of Dreams! ✨🏟️ pic.twitter.com/j0G3hzYUmV— Cricket Addictor (@AddictorCricket) September 14, 2026
“I wanted to know a little bit about football. The entire world watches football, so I wanted to understand the game a bit. Earlier, I was a United fan, and I still am to some extent, because of Nitish Rana bhai. He introduced me to football and showed me how to watch the game. From there, my interest in football grew a bit. And Rana bhai is a United fan, so I used to spend time with him, and watching him, I became a fan of United,” Rinku Singh told JioStar.
The India cricketer also revealed the Manchester United players he admires most. Marcus Rashford is his favourite, while Bruno Fernandes stands out for his composure and ability to make an impact when it matters.
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“I really like Marcus Rashford. I’ve followed him a lot, so he’s my favourite. And when it comes to composure, I think Bruno Fernandes. He stays very calm, plays very calmly, keeps strolling on the pitch, and when the ball arrives, he instantly scores a goal or does whatever is needed on the pitch,” Rinku Singh told JioStar.
Singh’s first visit to Old Trafford therefore became more than just a football outing. It gave the India cricketer a closer look at the passion surrounding the Manchester Derby while also deepening his connect
