MANCHESTER UNITED boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer wrote an amazingly supportive letter to a fan struggling with mental health issues.
The Norwegian sent a classy reply to Red Devils fan Ryan after he spoke openly about his struggles on talkSPORT last month.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer showed his class with a touching letter to a fanCredit: PA:Press Association
Ryan revealed how United’s upturn in form had helped lift his spirits amid a battle with anxiety, depression and suicidal thoughts.
United went out of their way to contact talkSPORT host Andy Goldstein, also a United fan, and Solskjaer was able to send Ryan a touching letter.
The emotional fan read out his personal message live on air on Wednesday night as he returned to the show.
It read: “Dear Ryan, just wanted to drop you a line to say I am so glad you are doing well.
“It’s heartwarming to hear that Manchester United and Andy’s Man Club have kept you going through difficult times.
“We are living in strange times at the moment and we know it’s difficult for a lot of people.
“However, I was delighted to hear you now have a spring in your step.
“Once we get back to normal I’d love to invite you to a match or to watch training. In the meantime, we want you to keep that spring in your step and we will be doing all we can on the field.
“Take care, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.”
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Ryan was understandably moved by the Norwegian’s kind words during an incredibly difficult phase of his life.
He said: “I’m getting a bit emotional now reading it now.
“It’s incredible, they didn’t have to do this and they have. It shows how incredible this club is.”
Fans on social media rushed to praise United’s heartwarming gesture with plenty leaving fantastic tributes for Solskjaer as well as motivational words for Ryan.
One tweeted: “People can doubt him tactically but the fact that anyone can hate Ole is ridiculous. One of the nicest men in football. Makes me proud to be a United fan having him as manager,”
Another added: “This is beautiful from Ole. I’m also very glad Ryan is doing well. Not everything has to be negative all the time. I hope he continues to stay positive.”
A third said: “Quality that from Ole & United! Hopefully we’ll have something to smile about Ryan at the end of the season, you keep your head up mate! #RedArmy”
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s touching letter to Man Utd fan Ryan
Dear Ryan,
Just wanted to drop you a line to say I am so glad you are doing well.
It’s heartwarming to hear that Manchester United and Andy’s Man Club have kept you going through difficult times.
We are living in strange times at the moment and we know it’s difficult for a lot of people.
However, I was delighted to hear you now have a spring in your step.
Once we get back to normal I’d love to invite you to a match or to watch training.
In the meantime, we want you to keep that spring in your step and we will be doing all we can on the field.
Take care,
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
Ryan was helped by Andy’s Man Club – a charity named in honour of Andy Roberts who sadly took his own life aged just 23.
On his first visit to talkSPORT’s Sports Bar show after United beat Fulham, Ryan had divulged how the club had given him a ‘spring in his step’ after a lengthy period spent dealing with mental illness.
He said: “I’ve struggled for a very, very long time with my own mental health, anxiety, depression and suicidal thoughts.
“I’ve never had a spring in my step in life. Never. I’ve always carried a certain depression to my life.
“Manchester United and Andy’s Man Club have helped me turn my life around and I’ve now got a spring in my step.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has given me so much courage, it’s unbelievable.”
Man Utd fan Ryan
“I wake up and I know that United are on and I’m hopping around and I’m good.
“Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has given me so much courage, it’s unbelievable. I’ve believed in him since day one and I’m so proud and happy with the way things are going.
“I understand the peaks and troughs of football and we’ve just been through, let’s say a seven-year low, even though we won three trophies in that time.
“I believe Ole is the man to bring success back to Old Trafford and he’s given me a lot of courage.
“When United won the treble and Ole scored that second goal, I lived on a green in Manchester and Ole scored that goal and I went running around that green, screaming and shouting.”
YOU’RE NOT ALONE
EVERY 90 minutes in the UK a life is lost to suicide.
It doesn’t discriminate, touching the lives of people in every corner of society – from the homeless and unemployed to builders and doctors, reality stars and footballers.
It’s the biggest killer of people under the age of 35, more deadly than cancer and car crashes.
And men are three times more likely to take their own life than women.
Yet it’s rarely spoken of, a taboo that threatens to continue its deadly rampage unless we all stop and take notice, now.
That is why The Sun launched the You’re Not Alone campaign.
The aim is that by sharing practical advice, raising awareness and breaking down the barriers people face when talking about their mental health, we can all do our bit to help save lives.
Let’s all vow to ask for help when we need it, and listen out for others… You’re Not Alone.
If you, or anyone you know, needs help dealing with mental health problems, the following organisations provide support:
It is the latest piece of wonderful charitable work from United with England hero Marcus Rashford having led the way with his inspiring free school meals campaign.
The club have also been quick to condemn sickening racist abuse suffered by stars, including Rashford, online.
On Wednesday, Instagram vowed to ban vicious trolls sending horrific racial slurs to players.
⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
