India cricketer Rinku Singh has revealed that his love for Manchester United was sparked by fellow cricketer Nitish Rana, who introduced him to football and taught him how to follow the game. The revelation came after Rinku attended his first-ever live football match — the Manchester derby at Old Trafford on 18 September 2026, where Manchester City defeated Manchester United 1-0 in the Premier League.

How Nitish Rana Made Rinku a Red Devil

'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 told JioStar.

The bond between the two cricketers — both of whom have represented Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) — appears to have extended well beyond the cricket boundary.

First Live Match: The Derby at Old Trafford

Rinku's baptism into live football could hardly have been more dramatic. The iconic Old Trafford stadium hosted the fiercest rivalry in English football, yet the occasion did not go the way United supporters had hoped. Erling Haaland scored the decisive goal in the second half to hand City a 1-0 victory.

Despite arriving as a declared United supporter, Rinku admitted to briefly switching allegiances as the home side struggled. '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,' he said.

The Stadium Atmosphere That Changed Everything

For Rinku, the scoreline ultimately mattered less than the experience itself. The Indian cricketer said the atmosphere at Old Trafford gave him a visceral understanding of why football commands such a global following.

'I consider myself lucky because I got to watch a match between City and United. It was the first live football match of my life, and it was a completely different feeling altogether,' he said. '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 — that is something you really feel when you are there at the stadium,' he added.

The reaction echoes a broader trend of Indian cricketers engaging with Premier League football during tours and off-seasons, a cultural crossover that has grown notably over the past decade.

Rashford and Fernandes: Rinku's Favourite Players

Rinku named Marcus Rashford as his favourite player, citing the time he has invested in following the English forward. He also highlighted Bruno Fernandes for his composure on the pitch.

'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 said.

Whether Rinku's Old Trafford visit deepens his football fandom or remains a memorable one-off, the story underlines how Indian cricket's growing global footprint is blending personal passions well beyond the boundary rope.