A BROTHER and sister will be in football heaven tomorrow when they take to the pitch at Wembley Stadium as mascots for Manchester United in an FA Cup semi-final.

Avid United fan Maddie Pearcey, 10, and her brother Severin, eight, from Witney, won the chance to be mascots after entering a competition organised by the FA Cup’s sponsor, energy company E.on.

They will join the United players as they walk out on to the pitch to face Everton for the chance to reach the competition’s final next month.

However, Severin will have to keep his true feelings under wraps – because he supports Liverpool – United’s arch-rivals in the race for the Premiership title.

He said: “My mum and dad have told me not to say anything – my dad said he can imagine me having a fight with Wayne Rooney if I did.”

Maddie said her “heart skipped a beat” when she heard the news.

She said: “I couldn’t believe it. It’s going to be amazing walking out on to the pitch with the players.”

And there is one player in particular she is hoping to hold hands with when they take to the pitch.

She added: “I like Christiano Ronaldo, because he’s handsome.

“I don’t think I would be able to talk with him though, because he’s famous.”

Mr Pearcey, 39, of Eastfield Road, Witney, joked: “I’ve told her that if she does hold Ronaldo’s hand not to squeeze too tight, or he will end up rolling around on the floor.

“We’re so pleased they will get to do this.

“We entered the competition, but you never really expect to win, so when we found out, we were very shocked.”

Mr Pearcey — who is also a United fan — and his wife, Aina, 37, will be able to proudly watch their children, both pupils at the Blake Primary School, from the stands at the north London stadium.

He said: “Part of the prize is tickets for us as well, which we will get when we drop the children off at 1.30pm on Sunday — which sounds like a fair trade to me.

“I know they’re both very excited.

“It will be a moment the family never forgets.”

witney@oxfordmail.co.uk