A soldier told he would never walk again after being seriously wounded in Afghanistan will defy the odds by striding out with the Carling Cup at the Wembley final.

United fan Dave Tatlock was paralysed by shrapnel embedded in his spine two years ago.

Doctors told Para Dave, 20, he would spend the rest of his life in a wheelchair minutes after being hit in the ‘friendly fire’ incident.

But the brave soldier will prove the medics wrong in front of 90,000 fans and a global TV audience of millions when he walks out on the famous pitch to place the cup on its plinth. He will then settle down to cheer his beloved Reds on against Aston Villa.

Dave, from Gorton, was hit by explosive 30mm rounds from an Apache helicopter that missed its target. He ended up in a ditch before being rescued by a colleague.

Dave said: "I remember the explosion and falling over and not being able to move. Then a mate – a huge Welsh guy – came over and dragged me out, despite all the gear we had on."

The former Egerton Park school pupil momentarily lost consciousness as he was stretchered to hospital and was left devastated within an hour when doctors gave him their grim diagnosis.

He said: "I was told within 40 minutes I would never walk again. But I wanted to show them. Right from the beginning of training in the Paras they teach you to be mentally tough and fill you with pride."

Four weeks into Dave’s recovery feeling slowly spread back into his legs. After 12 more weeks confined to a bed to reduce swelling he was able to walk with a stick. He is currently awaiting an operation that could see him ditch the stick.

Before United take on Villa he will bring out the trophy after being selected for the honour as part of The Football League’s partnership with the Help for Heroes charity.

Dave, a United season ticket holder who is still in the armed forces, admitted he had some big match nerves.

He said: "I was a bit drunk when they asked me to do this and obviously said yes. But I’m really nervous. I’d better not fall over – my mates would never let me hear the end of it if I did.

"And United better win. I’m not carrying the cup out only for Villa to lift it at the end."