Luke Littler must overcome ‘Man Utd syndrome’ to break my record – Phil Taylor

Phil Taylor has backed Luke Littler to break his record of 16 world titles but says he will have to overcome “Man Utd syndrome” to do it.

Littler, 17, beat Michael van Gerwen earlier this month to become the youngest ever PDC World Championship winner.

Taylor has warned Littler’s success will inspire players to raise their games against him in the same way his opponents did during a glittering 35-year career.

The 64-year-old likens it to the way teams rouse themselves playing against Manchester United and Liverpool – England’s two most successful football clubs.

“If he wants to beat my world record, then he can go ahead and do it,” said Taylor.

“It’s difficult when you are young and you have money in the bank. I was 30 when I won for the first time, so I’d done all that before.

“You get what I used to call the Man Utd syndrome – and Liverpool have got it as well – where everybody raises their game against you, so you have to be at your best in every round.”

Taylor, nicknamed ‘The Power’ and widely regarded as the best darts player of all time, retired in 2024 after dominating the sport for more than two decades.

Despite his success, Taylor never transcended the sport in the way Littler has.

The teenager has enjoyed a meteoric 12 months, prompting a huge spike in darts interest among youngsters and winning the BBC Young Sports Personality of the Year award.

He was also runner-up in the main award to Olympic gold medal-winning athlete Keely Hodgkinson.

“Darts has gone crazy. You wouldn’t believe the difference since young Luke came along,” added Taylor.

“I’m fine about it, I’m too old for all that stuff now. I’ve had 40 years in my career, it can come and it can go.

“I have nothing but credit for the lad, I think the world of him. I think it’s great to see darts so popular.”

Despite Littler’s success, Taylor is still confident he could have beaten him in his prime.

“I’ve had my day but I would have loved to play Luke at my best, we’d have had a cracking game,” he said. “I think I’d have beaten him, but I’m not sure.”