Old Trafford reward awaits McIlroy

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McIlroy went into Saturday's third round just one shot off the lead held by Austria's Markus Brier after a superb round of 69 at Carnoustie, where he finished leading amateur in the Open Championship last year.

The 19-year-old from Northern Ireland has been paired with United and England legend Charlton in the pro-am event played at St Andrews, Carnoustie and Kingsbarns, and the Red Devils fan has his sights set on a trip to Manchester in the near future.

"I've been to Old Trafford five times this year. I don't get along as much as I would like but Sir Bobby has invited me," explained McIlroy, who finished third in this event last year in just his second event after turning professional, earning enough money to secure his European Tour card for 2008.

"He said he would take me round the ground and the dressing rooms so that would be great," he added. "I've never been to a Champions League match so hopefully I'll get along on a Wednesday."

McIlroy looked set to win his maiden title in the Omega European Masters at the start of last month, taking a four-shot lead into the final round only to eventually lose out to Jean-Francois Lucquin in a play-off.

But the former European amateur champion is taking inspiration from two-time Open winner Padraig Harrington, who famously has almost 30 runner-up finishes on tour.

"Padraig called me over on Wednesday and said 'hard luck' and that he knew how it felt, we've all blown tournaments that we should have won," McIlroy added. "He's been second on tour 30 times and learnt how to win. He hasn't had a second place for three years. He told me to keep getting experience, get yourself up there again and you'll win.

McIlroy was one of just two players in the top 13 to play Carnoustie on Friday and had the advantage of playing Kingsbarns on Saturday, the easiest of the courses.

In contrast, leader Brier and the trio alongside McIlroy in second place - Ryder Cup team-mates Soren Hansen and Robert Karlsson and Germany's Martin Kaymer - had to tackle Carnoustie with bad weather forecast.