CELEBRATE THE DAY

Tuesday, August 31, 2010

Van der Sar not worried about career length

Edwin van der Sar has given up worrying about how long his career will continue.

The Manchester United keeper will celebrate his 40th birthday in October, by which time he hopes to be well on the way to another fine season for the Old Trafford outfit.

Now in his sixth season, Van der Sar remains as reliable as ever, with Ben Foster becoming the latest to abandon the quest to battle with the veteran Dutchman when he left Old Trafford for Birmingham this summer.

Age must catch up with Van der Sar eventually. But on recent evidence, there is plenty of life in the former Ajax man yet. And he is certainly not naming the day when he hangs up his gloves for the last time.

"I don't worry about when that day arrives," he said. "I am now exceeding my own expectations so it doesn't bother me. When I was younger I thought maybe I would finish in my mid-30s. But that is a normal time to be thinking about it when you are younger and for players at this level.

"That would have been the obvious time to finish but I only came to United late in my career and maybe that is why I am still enjoying it. Coming to Old Trafford probably gave me a new lease of life."

manchesterunited 8/31/2010 03:48:00 AM

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Sunday, August 29, 2010

Premier League - United cruise past West Ham

Wayne Rooney ended his goal drought as Manchester United beat Premier League strugglers West Ham United 3-0 at Old Trafford.

The England international opened the scoring with his first goal in 13 matches for club and country from the penalty spot ,before Nani and Dimitar Berbatov both scored wonderful strikes to haul United up to third and leave the beleaguered Hammers rooted to the bottom of the table.

Rooney bagged his first strike since the end of March after 33 minutes when the excellent Ryan Giggs nipped past former United defender Jonathan Spector and into the box, forcing him to make the foul. Rooney took an unorthodox run-up, skipping several steps to the side before rolling the ball into the bottom corner with Robert Green diving the other way.

West Ham played like a side with little or no self belief for much of the match, and it was surprising that they held on until the 50th minute before conceding a second. But when the goals came, they were worth the wait.

manchesterunited 8/29/2010 09:17:00 AM

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Monday, August 23, 2010

Kami belum layak - Ferguson

LONDON - Pengurus Manchester United, Alex Ferguson mengakui skuad bimbingannnya masih belum layak untuk menghuni tangga teratas Liga Perdana England.

Ia gara-gara persembahan hambar yang dipamerkan anak-anak buahnya apabila sekadar mencatatkan keputusan seri 2-2 dengan Fulham kelmarin.

Justeru, Ferguson menganggap tugas besar bakal menanti The Red Devils dalam usaha mereka merampas kembali gelaran juara yang menjadi milik Chelsea musim lalu.

Pada aksi yang berlangsung di Craven Cottage kelmarin, pemain gantian United, Nani dikatakan sebagai punca terhadap kegagalan The Red Devils mengutip tiga mata penuh.

Ini kerana, Nani gagal menyempurnakan sepakan penalti pada minit ke-87 se- lepas United berjaya mendahului 2-1.

Sebelum itu, United memperoleh gol pembukaan hasil jaringan Paul Scholes pada minit ke-11, namun Fulham berjaya menyamakan kedudukan hasil sumbangan Simon Davies pada minit ke-57.

The Red Devils kembali berada di hadapan apabila pemain pertahanan Fulham, Brede Hangeland tertampan bola ke gawang sendiri pada minit ke-84.

Bagaimanapun, Hangeland berjaya menebus kesilapannya itu apabila menjaringkan gol penyamaan Fulham pada lewat perlawanan.

"Pada mulanya saya merasakan (Ryan) Giggs akan mengambil sepakan penalti dan saya sendiri tidak tahu mengapa Nani yang berbuat demikian.

"Saya selalu menganggap kualiti bagi tendangan penalti sangat penting dan sepakan yang diambil oleh Nani itu sangat teruk," jelas Ferguson.

Ketika ini, Chelsea gah di persada liga apabila mengutip enam mata maksimum hasil kemenangan besar ke atas West Bromwich dan Wigan Athletic. - Agensi

manchesterunited 8/23/2010 10:45:00 AM

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Sunday, August 22, 2010

United mahu langsai 'hutang' lama

Ferguson

LONDON - Sama ada sengaja melancarkan perang psikologi atau sebaliknya, pengurus Manchester United, Alex Ferguson seakan-akan memandang rendah kemampuan Fulham.

Jelasnya, Fulham tidak akan mempunyai peluang bagi mencipta kejutan ke atas skuad bimbingannya apabila kedua-dua pasukan berentap pada aksi Liga Perdana England di Craven Cottage, malam ini.

Aksi menentang Fulham sudah pasti antara yang dinanti-nantikan Ferguson selepas The Red Devils tewas 0-3 kepada lawan yang sama musim lalu.

Justeru, Ferguson menganggap ia merupakan peluang terbaik buat anak-anak buahnya untuk membalas dendam biarpun sedar Fulham tidak akan memberi laluan mudah setiap kali mereka beraksi di halaman sendiri.

"Kami sentiasa mengharungi detik-detik sukar setiap kali berdepan Fulham.

"Musim lalu sahaja saya terpaksa meletakkan pemain di bahagian serangan beraksi di posisi pertahanan selepas beberapa pemain mengalami masalah kecederaan.

"Disebabkan itu, kami terpaksa akur dengan kekalahan 0-3 kepada Fulham biarpun pada suatu ketika, kami bermula dengan agak baik," jelas Ferguson.

Namun Ferguson tetap mengakui Fulham kini tidak lagi boleh dipandang rendah kerana percaya kredibiliti yang dimiliki pengurus, Mark Hughes mampu membawa skuad tersebut mencipta lebih banyak kejayaan.

"Sewaktu membimbing Blackburn (Rovers), skuad tersebut tidaklah sebesar mana, namun dia (Hughes) masih mampu mengendalikannya dengan baik.

"Dengan pengalamannya itu, saya percaya dia mampu membawa Fulham mencipta lebih banyak kejutan memandangkan musim lalu kelab tersebut hampir bergelar juara dalam saingan Liga Europa," katanya.

- AFP

manchesterunited 8/22/2010 11:59:00 AM

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1,076 minit tanpa gol

Wayne Rooney

MANCHESTER: Alex Ferguson akur penyerang bintang England dan Manchester United, Wayne Rooney sendiri hilang punca dan tidak dapat meramal bila kemarau gol yang panjang pernah dialaminya itu akan berakhir.

Statistik menunjukkan wira Old Trafford itu sudah 1,076 minit gagal menyumbat gol - baik ketika bersama kelab atau pun sewaktu skuad The Three Lions.

Musim paling buruk baginya sebelum ini adalah 1,002 minit tanpa gol dicatat pada musim 2005-2006 dan dia akan beraksi menentang Fulham dalam saingan Liga Perdana Inggeris, hari ini dengan suasana tertekan untuk berusaha menamatkan kemarau panjang itu.

Gol terakhirnya dalam saingan kompetitif adalah pada lewat Mac lalu ketika dia menjaringkan gol awal ke atas Bayern Munich di Jerman.

Fergie akui ia akan mengganggu fikiran anak buahnya itu walau pun dia tetap gembira dengan prestasi penyerang berkenaan.

“Saya berulang kali berkata, penyerang hidup dengan ledakan jaringan. Bila mereka gagal menyumbat gol, mereka mula merasa gol tidak akan dapat dihasilkan. Dan bila mereka turun ke padang mereka mula berasa tidak yakin menyempurnakan jaringan.

“Apa dilalui Rooney sama seperti penyerang yang lain,” kata Ferguson. Apapun, dia percaya jaringan pasti kembali diraih penyerang itu dan berharap Rooney akan meledak di Craven Cottage nanti. - Agensi

manchesterunited 8/22/2010 08:15:00 AM

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Friday, August 20, 2010

Giggs paling rapat dengan Ferguson

GIGGS antara pemain veteran United ketika ini.

LONDON - Ryan Giggs menjadi salah seorang pemain paling rapat dengan Alex Ferguson di Old Trafford.

Begitupun, dia mengambil masa 10 tahun untuk melakukan yang terbaik bagi mengelak dirinya daripada dimarahi pengurus Manchester United itu.

Giggs mengakui hubungannya dengan Ferguson telah banyak berubah sejak dua dekad yang lalu.

Pemain veteran Wales itu mendedahkan: "Hubungan saya dengannya (Ferguson) sangat berbeza.

"Ketika kali pertama berjumpa dengannya, saya berusia 13 tahun. Selama 10 tahun berikutnya saya cuba mengelak daripada menimbulkan kemarahannya.

"Situasi itu hanya akan terjadi jika kamu gagal bermain dengan baik.

"Tetapi sekarang, dia akan meminta nasihat daripada kamu lebih banyak berbanding semasa kamu muda dahulu.

"Kamu telah melalui pengalaman dan suasana dalam bilik persalinan setiap hari."

Giggs telah memulakan penampilan musim ke-21 bersama United dan mengekalkan rekod jaringan dalam setiap musim tersebut menerusi gol ketiga ketika United mengalahkan Newcastle 3-0, Isnin lepas.

Dia juga semakin dahagakan kejayaan dan sedar pengurusnya juga begitu biarpun pada usia 68 tahun.

Giggs menambah: "Jangan ingat keinginan dan perasaan mencipta lebih banyak kejayaan telah hilang dalam diri dia (Fergu- son).

"Dia masih laparkan kejayaan dan juga membenci kekalahan." - Agensi

manchesterunited 8/20/2010 07:27:00 AM

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Thursday, August 19, 2010

Bebe janji kerja keras

MANCHESTER: Bebe mengakui terkejut kerana berpindah ke Manchester United tapi penyerang itu berazam memanfaatkan peluangnya di Old Trafford.

Penyerang Portugal berusia 20 tahun itu yang berpindah dari Vitoria de Guimaraes dengan bayaran £7.4 juta (RM36.4 juta) hanya lima minggu selepas meninggalkan Estrela da Amadora.

Seminggu selepas menyedari menjadi pilihan United, Bebe menyertai kelab Old Trafford itu.

Bebe ketika bercakap kepada wartawan di Old Trafford di sini semalam berkata, antara faktor mempengaruhinya adalah kerana dia mahu mengikut jejak langkah bintang Portugal, Cristiano Ronaldo dan Nani.

“Saya rasa seronok. Ia satu peluang yang diberikan kepada saya dan kini perlu bekerja lebih gigih.” kata Bebe.

“Ia hanya mengambil masa seminggu selepas mendapat tahu saya dikehendaki kelab itu sebelum menandatangani kontrak itu. “Saya ingin bermain bersama pasukan luar negara tidak kira sama ada United atau Chelsea tapi menyertai United adalah impian mana-mana pemain.

“Pembabitan pemain Portugal di Old Trafford memberi motivasi kepada saya. Banyak pemain ternama seperti Cristiano Ronaldo pernah beraksi di sini dan kini seorang pemain yang hebat.

“Begitu juga dengan Nani dan Anderson, saya mahu menjadi seperti mereka dan akan bekerja keras untuk menjadi pemain berkualiti tinggi.

“Saya sedar pemain hebat bermain dengan penuh tekanan dan akan cuba melakukan perkara sama,” katanya.

Pengurus United, Sir Alex Ferguson yang turut memperkenalkan Javier Hernandez dan Chris Smalling, mendedahkan Bebe adalah pemain pertama dibeli tanpa melihat aksinya di televisyen.

Ferguson berkata, United perlu bergerak pantas menghalang minat dari Real Madrid dan Benfica, apabila pencari bakat memujuknya menghantar ketua eksekutif, David Gill ke Portugal untuk membuat tawaran itu.

“Saya tidak melihat video mengenainya, ini kali pertama saya menyaksikannya. “Biasanya dalam kes Javier dan Chris, saya banyak melihat rakaman video mereka.

“Ada ketikanya anda perlu percaya pada kakitangan dan pencari bakat di Portugal bersungguh-sungguh mahukan kami bertindak pantas.

“Jadi saya menghantar ketua pencari bakat dan David Gill ke sana untuk membuat tawaran itu. Anda perlu bertanya kepada Real mengenai minat mereka terhadapnya, begitu juga dengan Benfica,” kata Ferguson. - AFP

manchesterunited 8/19/2010 01:08:00 PM

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Tuesday, August 17, 2010

Premier League - United cruise past Newcastle

Manchester United began their Premier League campaign in commanding fashion with a resounding 3-0 victory over Newcastle United at Old Trafford.

United have never lost an opening fixture at home under Sir Alex Ferguson, and within 33 minutes the hosts were ahead courtesy of a clinical finish from Dimitar Berbatov with Paul Scholes the provider.

Darren Fletcher doubled his side's lead eight minutes later with an opportunist close-range finish, and a volley from substitute Ryan Giggs made it three late on after an exquisite pass from the imperious Scholes.

United predictably enjoyed the early pressure, but it was Newcastle who carved out the game's first clear-cut chance in the 11th minute: Andy Carroll rose imperiously above Nemanja Vidic from Nolan's corner, but the forward could only direct it wide of the near post.

Ferguson handed Berbatov a starting berth alongside Wayne Rooney with Javier Hernandez confined to the substitutes' bench and the Scot's decision was vindicated after the half hour.

The Bulgarian stole in behind the Newcastle defence to latch on to Scholes's incisive through ball, before finishing with aplomb to leave Steve Harper with no chance.

A period of incessant United pressure followed, and the hosts deservedly doubled their lead in the 41st minute as Rooney deflected a cross from the marauding Patrice Evra into Fletcher's path. The Scot's positioning was superb, and his finish was clinical.

The second half began where the first left off, and Scholes was left to feel aggrieved after referee Chris Hoy waved play on following a challenge from Coloccini inside the Newcastle box.

Seconds later Rooney, who has nine goals against Newcastle to his name, unselfishly looked to play in Berbatov when clean through on goal and another glorious opportunity for a third goal went begging.

Rooney made way for Hernandez just after the hour mark making it 13 matches without a goal for the Englishman for club and country, but a huge roar greeted the Mexican upon his arrival.

Scholes was instrumental as the hosts kept possession with consummate ease in the final half hour, and Berbatov linked the play expertly to keep Newcastle firmly under the cosh.

Ryan Giggs was introduced among a flurry of substitutions from both sides with 20 minutes remaining and another, Shola Ameobi, should have hit the target with a towering header from a Nolan corner.

Another deft through ball from Scholes almost provided Berbatov with his second as the Bulgarian planted a tame shot straight at Harper following some intricate footwork, but by this point the hosts were in cruise control.

There was still time for the old-timers to make their mark once more, and substitute Giggs coolly volleyed beyond Harper from Scholes's deft delivery to round off a sublime performance from the hosts.

United are now unbeaten in their last 27 top-flight home matches against Newcastle, and have an impeccable platform from which to build in the new campaign.

manchesterunited 8/17/2010 05:01:00 AM

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Monday, August 16, 2010

Capello yakin Rooney ‘meledak’ September ini

England anggap penyerang United belum cukup aksi di padang

MANCHESTER: Fabio Capello percaya betapa ayam tambatan Manchester United, Wayne Rooney akan kembali mendapat sentuhan pemusnahnya pada awal September ini. Kenyataan Capello dibuat menjelang aksi perlawanan pertama Liga Perdana Inggeris (EPL) menentang Newcastle, hari ini dan ketika kelab masih bergelut dengan kontroversi menentang keluarga Glazer yang memiliki kelab terbabit. Pengurus berbangsa Itali itu yakin terhadap bakat pemain berusia 24 tahun itu dan tidak bimbang mengenai sumbangan yang bakal diberi pemain itu dalam kempen kelayakan Euro 2012 kelak.

Namun, ketika ramai mengharapkan Rooney mempamer sentuhan pemusnah pada awal saingan liga, Capello sebaliknya berkata: “Saya jangka Rooney bakal mengharungi musim yang bagus tetapi dia perlu diturunkan. Daripada pengalaman saya, saya rasa dia memerlukan masa kira-kira 500 hingga 600 minit.

“Dia baru beraksi 150 minit. Atas sebab itu saya rasa dia perlu beraksi tiga atau empat perlawanan lagi untuk kembali memperbetulkan tahap permainannya.

“Saya sudah bercakap dengannya dan dia OK. Saya fikir Rooney seorang pemain yang bagus dan dia tidak akan terjejas teruk selepas apa yang berlaku di Piala Dunia. Kita tahu ada kemungkinan dia beraksi buruk, tetapi dia perlu melupakan segala-galanya. Ia sebahagian daripada tugas dan anda perlu mara.
“Kemarahan terhadapnya adalah perkara biasa. Mereka mahu Rooney yang terbaik dan pasukan terbaik. Semuanya perlu yang terbaik. Tetapi mustahil ia dicapai setiap masa. Anda kena sabar menunggu sentuhannya.” - Agensi

manchesterunited 8/16/2010 01:49:00 PM

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Sunday, August 8, 2010

Premier League - Scholes inspires United win

Paul Scholes enjoyed a vintage day out at Wembley as Manchester United lifted the Community Shield for an 18th time with a 3-1 win over English champions Chelsea.

Supported by willing runners in Antonio Valencia and Wayne Rooney, Scholes - now a sprightly 35 - left Carlo Ancelotti's side flabbergasted as he dictated play in the first period with his delightful range of passing.

The evergreen midfielder picked out Wayne Rooney with a 50-yard pass and the England striker played in Valencia for the opener on 41 minutes.

Valencia turned provider for Mexico striker Javier Hernandez to score a fortuitous second on 76 minutes, his first competitive goal for United.

Chelsea reduced their arrears when Salomon Kalou scored from close range after Edwin van der Sar failed to hold Daniel Sturridge's raking shot from distance on 83 minutes.

Chelsea tried desperately to restore parity, but they were picked off in stoppage time when substitute Dimitar Berbatov polished off a 20-pass move with an exquisite lob over Henrique Hilario.

England manager Fabio Capello and the country's World Cup players, including Chelsea's John Terry, Ashley Cole and Frank Lampard, were booed before this match broke out, but Rooney was hardly in the mood to beat himself up over what when wrong in South Africa.

Classical music band Blake gave a stirring rendition of the national anthem, but the match was entertaining enough for what it represented.

The Community Shield may have the feeling of a phoney war on the cusp of a new Premier League season, but there was enough to keep the fans entertained in an opening period that enabled Scholes to open his considerable box of tricks.

Scholes decided to opt against returning to play for England at the World Cup finals.

He managed to show Capello and the watching fans what they missed as he impressed himself upon Chelsea between the midfield and forward areas, the key part of the field where such matches are invariably won and lost.

United had made their intentions clear in the opening few minutes.

Hilario did well to pluck Valencia's attempted chip out of the air on four minutes before he played provider for Scholes to hammer a volley over the bar when the majority of the 84,000 crowd expected to see the net rippling from inside the box.

Chelsea's first meaningful attack left United's seasoned goalkeeper Van der Sar looking cumbersome.

The Dutchman spilled Nicolas Anelka's shot, but the ball broke to Kalou, who failed to convert from an acute angle.

Van der Sar was alert enough on 17 minutes when he dived to claw out a Branislav Ivanovic header from Florent Malouda's cross, but United's thrusts continued to cut away at the heart of Chelsea.

Scholes would constantly probe at Chelsea's underbelly as he supplied Michael Owen on 38 minutes, but the striker's chipped lob was headed wide of his own goal somewhat frantically by Ivanovic.

Chelsea were helpless to deprive United of the lead on 40 minutes as Valencia slotted in with Hilario isolated.

With several substitutions impacting upon the rhythm of the game in the second period, Chelsea began to visit some brighter times, even if they were restricted to efforts from outside the United box.

Malouda, Kalou and Michael Essien all hammered shots in before United moved two goals ahead. Hernandez scored from three yards as he threw a foot at the ball which flew into the net via his head. The young striker seemed to realise his good fortune as he wheeled away to kiss the badge.

Chelsea substitute Sturridge made an impressive impact as he forced Van der Sar to save on 81 minutes before Kalou scored to give Chelsea new hope.

But Berbatov had the final say with his goal in the game's closing moments, even if Scholes had revelled in supplying its most memorable contributions.

manchesterunited 8/08/2010 11:06:00 AM

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Wednesday, August 4, 2010

Premier League - United thump Irish League XI

An injury to Michael Carrick was the only sour note as Manchester United christened the new Lansdowne Road with a 7-1 win over a League of Ireland XI in Dublin.

Ji-Sung Park scored twice, and there were goals from Michael Owen, Javier Hernandez, Antonio Valencia, Jonny Evans and Nani at the newly-named Aviva Stadium.

Dave Mulcahy scored a consolation for the League of Ireland XI late in the game.

Sir Alex Ferguson picked Wayne Rooney for the first time this pre-season in a strong-looking side.

The League of Ireland XI were committed but short of quality, and it did not take long for United to break the deadlock.

Thirteen minutes in Gavin Peers looked to have dealt comfortably with Park's cross, but he lingered on the ball for an eternity and the South Korean blocked his clearance into the net.

Owen, returning from injury, added a second 10 minutes later. Park played him through, but the goal was about Owen's individual brilliance flicking a lob from a narrow angle over Gary Rogers.

Rooney was lively throughout the half, but missed a couple of chances to add to United's lead.

And there was concern for the Red Devils towards the end of the first half when Carrick hobbled off and down the tunnel.

Rooney and Owen made way at half-time for Hernandez and Dimitar Berbatov, and the Mexican impressed immediately with a poacher's finish on 47 minutes from Valencia's low cross.

As the second half continued the League of Ireland XI's defence was breached time and again. Valencia bustled through to score the fourth on the hour with a driven shot on his left foot then three minutes later Park added his second with a composed finish from Evans's pass.

Evans made it six by nodding in Valencia's cross before Mulcahy rescued some pride with a classy first-time finish from Conor Powell's pass.

Normal service was resumed moments later, however, when Ken Oman brought down Hernandez crassly in the area and Nani tucked away the penalty.

manchesterunited 8/04/2010 09:39:00 AM

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Monday, August 2, 2010

United tak perlu pemain berstatus bintang

GIGGS masih lagi menjadi sandaran United untuk merampas gelaran liga musim ini.

LONDON - Ryan Giggs menegaskan, Manchester United tidak perlu mengharapkan pemain baru untuk merampas kembali gelaran Liga Perdana England musim ini.

Berbanding jiran setempat, Manchester City, United hanya melabur £20 juta (RM100 juta) pada musim panas ini dengan membawa Chris Smalling dan Javier Hernandez.

Sebaliknya, David Silva, Yaya Toure, Jerome Boateng dan Aleksander Kolarov berpindah ke Eastlands.

Manakala kegagalan The Red Devils membeli pemain bertaraf bintang pula telah mengecewakan penyokong mereka.

Begitupun, pemain veteran, Giggs percaya United masih mampu bergelar juara liga buat kali ke-19 musim ini biarpun tanpa kehadiran pemain bergelar bintang.

Giggs, 36, berkata: "Kami tidak perlukan seorang pemain berstatus bintang sebelum tarikh tutup musim perpindahan.

"Kami masih dalam keadaan baik ketika ini. Kualiti pemain yang kami ada sekarang masih cukup bagus. Pemain kami yang cedera juga sudah kembali pulih.

"Kami mempunyai pemain muda yang dipinjamkan ke luar dan pulang semula dengan lebih matang, lebih bagus serta akan memberi faedah kepada kelab."

United mempunyai beberapa pemain muda seperti Jonny Evans, Fabio dan Rafael Da Silva, Darron Gibson, Nani, Federico Macheda, Danny Welbeck serta pemain baru, Smalling.

Javier Hernandez, seorang lagi pemain muda yang dibeli The Red Devils, beraksi cemerlang dengan menjaringkan satu gol ketika United tewas 2-3 kepada Guadalajara Chivas pada aksi jelajah pramusim.

Giggs berkata: "Hernandez adalah pemain yang berbakat. Dia mempunyai kualiti tersendiri tetapi masih banyak yang perlu dipelajari- nya." - Agensi

manchesterunited 8/02/2010 03:37:00 AM

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