Phil Taylor has endorsed Luke Littler to surpass his 16 world titles but warns the 17-year-old must conquer what he calls “Man Utd syndrome” to get there.

Littler etched his name in history as the youngest World Championship winner at Alexandra Palace this month, capping a stellar debut year. After claiming his first title, he mused about chasing Taylor’s record over the next two decades—if the drive holds.

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Taylor, now 64, cheers him on, though he reckons he’d have bested Littler in his prime. “If he wants my record, go for it,” Taylor told PA news agency. “Winning 16 titles means heaps of finals, tons of darts, hotels, and miles traveled. He’d need 20 years of dedication, doing everything spot-on.”

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“It’s tough when you’re young with cash in hand,” he added. “I was 30 when I first won—had my fun already. You get ‘Man Utd syndrome’—or Liverpool’s curse—where everyone ups their game against you. Every round’s a battle, and it wears you down. Losses spark doubts: ‘Why’d he flop? Is his bubble burst?’ People love your rise and relish your fall. But he’s got the mental grit to handle it.”

Taylor imagines a dream clash: “I’ve had my time, but at my peak against Luke? What a match. I think I’d edge him—maybe!”

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Littler’s fame has outstripped Taylor’s, despite the latter’s two-decade reign. Taylor’s unbothered. “Darts is nuts now—Luke’s changed it all,” he said. “I’m too old for the spotlight. After 40 years, I’m good. He’s a credit to the game; I adore him. It’s ace seeing darts explode.”

That surge has boosted the MODUS Series, a weekly event for lower-tier players to snag prize money, now streaming free on Pluto TV. Taylor, a pundit there, noted, “Darts fans get 24-hour action—pick your time. It’s fresh and thrilling.”