2006-11-21: Celtic 1-0 Manchester Utd, Champions League

Match Pictures | Champions League | Matches: 2006 – 2007 | 2006-2007 Pictures

Trivia

• Celtic qualify for knockout phase of Champions League for the first time

• Muppets (like Gerry McNee) on STV sat around clueless after the match not knowing that Celtic had qualified. A wee bit of basic maths would not have gone amiss. The Japanese TV people even knew instantly, so why couldn’t they figure it out?
• Won unofficial “Battle of Britain” on away goals rule
• Some trouble in Glasgow from the travelling “Men in Black” Man U fans.
• Naka scored possibly one of the greatest free-kicks you’ll ever see.
• This match is the last time Man U lose a match away from home in the group section of the Champions’ League until Dec 2011.
  • From Autobiography – Between the Lines, (2021) of Michael Carrick “The roar at Celtic park that November was outrageous. When the UEFA anthem finished the roar from the Celtic fans was something else, absolutely spine-tingling” “When Shinsuke Nakamura’s free kick went in, the noise was so deafening my ears rang for a while afterwards”

Review

Celtic finally edged through to the knock-out phase of the Champions League (for the first time) thanks to a wonderful Shunsuke Nakamura free-kick and a penalty save from Artur Boruc. One hell of a game, where in the first half it looked ominous for a Man U win with our defence being well stretched, but luckily they created few if any real chances.

Second half and the real turning point was the yellow carding of Paul Scholes for a rash challenge at the start of the half. Seemed to dampen down Man U’s engine, and we came more into the game and it was quite even for most of the half.

Then came a classic perfect free-kick opportunity for Nakamura, and few if any out with of Celtic would have believed he’d have a chance to score, but somehow he did and it was a glorious free-kick which can’t be bettered. Majestic it truly was.

The truth is though that we were awarded the free-kick from a piece of cringing diving by Jarosik but that shouldn’t take away from what Naka did, and also taking in that Man U got a dodgey penalty (when Ryan Giggs conned the referee) in the first game when they shouldn’t have, then it equals things out.

The drama wasn’t over, and Man U got a penalty near the death of the game after Maloney was harshly (but rightly) judged to have given one away with a handball, but revenge for Boruc who saved the shot from the hapless Saha who also squandered another gilt-edged opportunity later in the game.

A fabulous night for Celtic who qualified through the Group Stages to the KO Stages for the first time, a night not to forget.

Great football to watch, and a very memorable achievement.

Teams

Celtic (4-4-2):-
Boruc,
Telfer, Balde, McManus, Naylor,
Nakamura (Miller 85), Gravesen, Lennon, Sno (Jarosik 45),
Vennegoor of Hesselink, Zurawski (Maloney 45).
Subs Not Used:- Marshall, Wilson, McGeady, O’Dea.
Booked:- McManus, Gravesen, Lennon.
Goals:- Nakamura 81 (a scorcher of a free-kick)

Man Utd:-
Van der Sar, Neville, Ferdinand, Vidic, Heinze (Evra 87), Ronaldo, Carrick (O’Shea 87), Scholes, Giggs, Saha, Rooney.
Subs Not Used:- Kuszczak, Brown, Richardson, Fletcher, Silvestre.
Booked:- Scholes.

Att: 60,632.
Ref: Manuel Gonzalez (Spain).

KStreet

• Pre-match
• Match
• Post-match Thread
• MOTM Voting
  • Winner – Lee Naylor – (Link to MOTM Winners 2006-07)
• Praise WGS!

Fans eyeview

• RSwan Report

Articles

• BBC Match Report
• Neil Lennon interview (BBC)
• Man U Boss Alex Ferguson Interview (BBC)
• UEFA Match Report
• “This is Priceless” – Gordon Strachan

Pictures

• Match Pictures
• Banners & display

Match Stats

• (UEFA)

 

Quotes

“Old Trafford on Champions League night is no place for Nakamura, and his blend of tippy-tappy football.”
Cue ………. 47 minutes later Naka flights a sublime free kick over £100 Million pounds worth of defensive wall!
Derek Johnstone in the first tie a month ago v Man U

“If Manchester United play their best eleven, and Celtic play their best eleven – Manchester United will beat Celtic.”
Cue ………. The full-time score: Celtic 1, Manchester United 0.
Derek Johnstone before this match

“I’m getting rather fed up with all the ‘lucky’ pish when discussing our win over MU. Especially when luck is used to diminish the result. What was lucky about it? Did they hit the bar, the post, have shots cleared off the line? Did we score with a deflected shot, did Artur fall over and the penalty kick hit off him? Their forwards and attacking play weren’t good enough to beat us. End of. Luck had nothing to do with it. People”
(Paulfg42 from KStreet forum, as about as true a remark as you will get about the game).

“Celtic’s record at home is one of the best in Europe, so we accept we are in for a tough game on Tuesday. Celtic Park is one of the best atmospheres to experience and their players can be inspired by it. If the game is going Celtic’s way, you have your work cut out to stem the tide of emotion and enthusiasm it generates. ”
Sir Alex Ferguson : 21st Nov ’06

“I am in shock. Losing this game is very hard to take. You have to score goals to win , and we didn’t do that. You can’t be surprised at Celtic progressing. With that support, they make it very hard to play them here.”
Sir Alex Ferguson : 21st Nov ’06

“In the first half, we weren’t even a presence. At half time, I asked the players whether they wanted to be remembered for that 45 minutes or the next 45 ?”
Gordon Strachan : 21st Nov ’06 (after defeating ManUre 1-0 At Celtic Park)

“The left-footed free-kick which Nakamura arced past United goalkeeper Edwin van den Sar was up there with the Zidanes and the Beckhams and all the more impressive because it was a carbon copy of the one he scored at Old Trafford in the first match. To do it once might have been a fluke. Twice suggests world-class talent. ”
Frank Malley (PA Chief Sports Writer : Sporting Life) 21st Nov ’06

“There were phases at a workplace where there can be such bedlam that it is a wonder the health and safety executive does not require footballers to don ear protectors. Last night’s cacophony, may have been louder than ever when the audience at last deduced from the referee’s body language that the full-time whistle must have blown.”
Kevin McCarra (The Guardian) 21st Nov ’06

“Celtic began the night knowing that they could finish anywhere in it, from first place to last. To their delirious shock the win guaranteed them further adventures in the New Year. Strachan’s team probably could not tell you who they play next. The winners, after all, rejoiced as if there were no tomorrow. ”
Kevin McCarra (The Guardian) 21st Nov ’06

“I’ve played in two or three testimonials at Parkhead, so I’ve experienced the atmosphere. It’s a game you want to be in, a game you look forward to playing in.I had my testimonial against Celtic and it’s the Battle of Britain. We experienced it before, and the atmosphere up there was unbelievable. I think the crowd and the atmosphere will demand that they’ll be right at us from the start. It’s just a massive game, with the connection between the two clubs.”
Ryan Giggs : 21st Nov ’06

“There’ll be more of an edge to it for this match because it’s a competitive game. At Old Trafford, we found they were well organised but they had a go as well. They created plenty of chances, even though we won 3-2, and I can see it being another open game. They work well as a team, that’s how they’ve done so well. Not many tipped them to do well in the Champions League but, as a team, they’re hard to beat. They’re solid, really organised and have a couple of flair players, so they have got ingredients to give you problems.”
Ryan Giggs (gazes into his crystal ball) : 20th Nov ’06

“With ten minutes left, the 0-0 scoreline looked good enough to take United through with a game to spare. But then Shunsuke Nakamura curled in a stunning free-kick. The Japanese playmaker has been a key figure in Celtic’s impressive recent run of form and he scored a stunning goal to secure the Scottish champions’ qualification for the UEFA Champions League knockout round for the first time. Nakamura was about to be replaced when he stepped up to underline his status as one of the best set-piece converters in the game with a brilliant curling strike.”
Alex O’Hanley : UEFA.com : 21st Nov ’06

“Although the Man U players have played in big games, they will have never experienced an atmosphere like this tonight. ”
Ally McCoist (Celtic v ManUre) 21st Nov ’06

“It’s clash of the two biggest teams in Britain here tonight, in what can only be described as the best atmosphere in Europe. This is the big time ….. but remember and tune into Rankers in the UEFA Cup on Thurs !!! ”
David Begg (BBC Sportsound) : 21st Nov ’06

“The Japanese midfielder sized up the setpiece and unleashed a sublime dead-ball strike similar – but superior – to the one he buried at Old Trafford back in September. For United it was another European away night to forget.”
www.manutd.com : 21st Nov ’06

Reporter: “I know you have gone for a lie down, and a shower and everything else as you couldn’t believe that you were through tonight when you were looking at the table and everything…”
Strachan: “You look like an honest man, but a just couldnae believe ye. I’ve known you for a few years but you are a journalist so i have keep on my toes!!!”
(later just at end of the interview walking away from reporter)
Strachan: “I hope you’re right or else i’ve made a right arse of maself”
(WGS in the post -match interview after we beat Man U 1-0 in Champs Lge to go thru to the knock-out phase for the first time in our history 21 Nov 2006)

Memories

“Feckin’ scanner system goes breests up beforehand, end up queued back for miles and miss the kick-off. In just in time for the arse end of YNWA. Couple of minutes in and I’m starting to wish the queue was longer. Pish line-up for a start. Good yin Gordy. Naka playing like he’s never seen a baw before, Gravesen running about like an eejit and Sno sticking his arse into anything that moves. Balde plays Ronaldo through for a one-on-one with Boruc. Saves it. Nice yin big man. Naylor, McManus, and Telfer (aye him), plus that mad Polish goalie, managing to keep it at 0-0.

Halftime and off goes the pish Pole and bummer, on comes Bananaman with his 3000 CL appearances, and the reigning POTY. Suddenly that big lazy bam starts running at the opposition defence and finding a teamate with his passes. Keeping the baw! The soon-to-be-overrated-traitor seems not bad at it either….Man Utd still putting the shampooers up us in defence but Saha having a ‘mare. We’re getting a wee bit more possession now. Naka seems intent on frittering it away. Get him off and get Kenny Miller on. Cannae do any worse.

“Awww! Feckin disgraceful tackle! Get him sent aff! Aww naw wait, ah there wiz definitely contact. Aye we’re awright. Caught him. Kinda…”

“Too far oot for Naka. He’ll never score.” Hail Mary, full of….”Wooffttt!!!!!!!!!!!!! Yaaaaaaaaaahahahahaaa!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!” Rope a dope! That Strachan lad’s a feckin genius!!!!!!!*Raises two fingers to Man Utd fans whilst simultaneously giving them the GIRUY sign*

Jumpy, jumpy, jumpy, jumpy… “Awww FFS Bobo!…. Yasss shi….aww whit? Awww naw” Cannae believe it. Another feckin’ penalty. Cheating *****. Lennon wae his freshly shaved napper boots the ball away. Petulant wee eejit. Good on ye.

……Moan big man….Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is…. “Yaaaassss Artur!!!!!!!!!!!!!!” *Raises two fingers to Man Utd fans whilst simultaneously giving them the GIRUY sign*

C’mon, c’mon, c’mon…….”Yaaaaaaaaaaaasssssssssssssssssssss!!!!!!!!!!” Cannae believe it. Someone shouting that we’ve qualified. Getting huckled away down the stairs, need to get back early apparently. YNWA starts to play. Feck it, they can wait. Run back up the stairs, jump up on railings. Steward doesn’t seem to mind much….”When you walk, through a storm….” Hairs stand up on the back of my neck. Never felt anything like it, cannae quite describe it in words. Happy, happy, joy, joy….

The Fields getting an airing on the way down the stairs. Still singing walking along the London Road. Voice is away. Sound like I’ve been chewing a Brillo pad. Sweating like feck as well. Need a pish. Ach feck it, who cares…. “”
(Craigmaclean from KStreet, July 08, Source: Link)

It was probably one of the best nights in my life.

I arrived in Glasgow about 6 after a few pre-match drinks in the Capital with my mates, came out of Queen Street and a fair few Mancs/Londoners were across the street, a few verbals were exchanged in the form of ‘Where’s you IRA Songs?’ from them and ‘Who the eff are Man Utd’ from us. They were re-directed by Police, and we headed for the Gallowgate. I didn’t see many ManYoo supporters after that until after the match, went up to the Hoops Bar. The atmosphere was really building, and my nerves were shattered. I really couldn’t drink my drink for thinking about the match, i had 3 Spliffs to calm me down, before i left Embra.

A few more drinks, and we left about 7 and headed for the Stadium, banter was excellent, and i was feeling confident, then i got a call from my Da’ telling me what the team was. I must say i felt unconfident after that, why Sno? Where were the three M’s? What was Strachan thinking. Arrived at the Stadium, phoned the ex and told her to make sure my 10 month bhoy was watching the match.

Tbh, everything’s a bit of blur until kick-off, YNWA, TFOA and the Huddle was absolutely amazing. I was emotional after it. The first half sort of flew by because there was nothing to remember from us, we looked so nervous and showed them too much respect, then towards the end of the 2nd half we had the free-kick in the corner at my end, North Stand Lower, i looked in the box and seen Bobo, Mick and Jan and thought just maybe, but it wasn’t to be and the half time whistle went, i knew changes needed to be made, Sno was out of his depth and we had a lack of belief. What could we do? I went to the toilet for a smoke, came back and seen JJ and Maloney were coming on. Let’s get intae them! The 2nd half we seemed better, but nothing was happening of note. I was thinking to myself wheres this match going? The most exiting thing that was happening was Darren Fletcher warming up over our way…

# Fletcher, bless yourself, Fletcher, Fletcher bless yourself #

# Fletcher, your a tim, Fletcher, Fletcher your a tim #

Top marks for Fletch, he was laughing away and gave us a !

79 minute and i couldn’t see it, little did i know that the pandemonium of the last 15 minutes was about to happen. JJ dived masterfully and the free kick was awarded, from my end it looked very close to the net. In no way did i think that it was 30/35 yards, everyone up North Stand thought it was the next best thing from a penalty because it looked so close. My mate said ‘Maloney can’t touch it, Naka has this one’, and then he lined up and BANG! I couldnae believe it bhoys, the place absolutely erupted. There were people on the floor, i lost my phone and found myself 3 rows infront of my seat. Absolutely mental, and the next 8 minutes were just singing and dancing…

# Can you hear United sing? No-o, No-o, can you hear United sing? Cannae hear a fu<king thing #

# Who the fu<k are Man United? #

Absolutely excellent, then the free-kick came, Lennon was going mental and i just had this sinking feeling in my stomach, Roo or Ron? I can’t even remember who took it, hit the wall and everyone cheered and then the ref blew the whistle. I thought it was a re-take, but then i seen John O’Shea and Gary Neville giving one another a high five, and i thought to myself ‘What the fu<k?’ the then my mate ‘Ray, he’s given a fu<king penalty!’ I swear i was nearly crying. How, why? Just our fu<king luck. The hold up was long, i just wanted it to be taken, i couldn’t hear myself think for the whistles. Saha stepped up and Boruc saves. Pandemonium, this match had turned in the head. It was written in the stars, i just knew there was no-way we were conceding in this match, King Artur had done it. A few clearences, the Lennon punt and all eyes were on the ref. The whistle blew and we all went crazy, Artur tried to jump into the crowd. Thats passion for you. It was just absolutely fantastic, everyone was dancing and singing, and the ‘YNWA’ was so emotional. I had a tear in my eye.
(Paddy Malone from KStreet forum)

United crash as Nakamura puts Celtic through

Celtic have entered uncharted territory by reaching the last 16 of the Champions League for the first time. In the process, Scotland’s champions ensured that Manchester United are heading for a state of perplexity accentuated by Louis Saha’s miss from an 88th-minute penalty.

The Premiership side have a very patchy record in this tournament, but the home comforts of Old Trafford should come to their aid. So long as Benfica do not win there next month, United will reach the knockout phase.

Even so, that cannot be sufficient to soothe all of the aches. Sir Alex Ferguson’s team fashioned few opportunities last night, despite an overwhelming superiority in technique. Soon after they had fallen behind to an exquisite free-kick by Shunsuke Nakamura in the 81st minute, Saha paused fatally when clear because of a mistaken belief that he was offside.

That was grossly unprofessional conduct and United never attended to the essential business of finishing off opponents who seemed to be at their mercy. The syndrome grew even more severe in the closing seconds, when they could not even thrive on good fortune. The referee Rafael Mejuto González had been cruel indeed when he ruled that Shaun Maloney, half-turning in the defensive wall, was guilty of intent as Cristiano Ronaldo’s free-kick rebounded from his arm.

Boruc plunged to his right to parry Saha’s effort from the spot. By preserving the lead he guaranteed that Celtic will stand above United even if the clubs finish level on points. The advantage comes from the two away goals in the loss at Old Trafford. Nakamura had scored one of them in a comparable manner to the one he lodged here.

This time Nemanja Vidic fouled Jiri Jarosik and the Japanese midfielder piloted the dead ball high past the left-hand of Edwin van der Sar from 30 yards. Nakamura had perked up after a rejigging of the system at the interval which relocated him to his normal post on the right. If the victors claim that they phased their approach to be more adventurous as the night wore on, it would be uncharitable not to take them at their word.

United, beaten 1-0 in consecutive Champions League away matches, will receive no sympathy. They held all the cards, with Ferguson ensuring that his side would, in theory, be at their most potent despite speculation that certain players would be rested ahead of Sunday’s encounter with Chelsea.
He selected a first-choice XI designed to make Celtic feel second-rate, and in a sense it worked. The home crowd were uneasy as well because, as Strachan admitted, an initial scheme deploying Thomas Gravesen on the right had bashed too many square pegs into round holes.

There were quiet phases at a workplace where there can be such bedlam that it is a wonder the health and safety executive does not require footballers to don ear protectors. Last night’s cacophony, delayed as it was, may have been louder than ever when the audience at last deduced from the referee’s body language that the full-time whistle must have blown.

There had been weaknesses on which United would have been expected to prey. Bobo Balde, a replacement for the injured Gary Caldwell, was, for instance, making only his third appearance in seven months. But if the result is to be explained in terms of anything other than United bluntness in the goalmouth, the contribution of Celtic’s dogged full-backs has to be hailed. They could never be at peace, but Lee Naylor in particular suppressed the visitors’ moves down their right. Alarms were uncommon even if United’s higher standards proved indisputable.

The first-half menace peaked as Balde lost the ball to Ronaldo in the 36th minute. The Guinea defender recovered to make a challenge that United believed should have brought a penalty. The Premiership leaders probably had the first of their flashbacks to the previous Champions League outing, where they contrived to lose in Copenhagen. That result had brought intrigue to Group F.

Celtic began the night knowing that they could finish anywhere in it, from first place to last. To their delirious shock the win guaranteed them further adventures in the new year. United must attribute that turn of events to their lack of presence inside the 18-yard box.

The debate over the sale of Ruud van Nistelrooy will never end in agreement. United are more fluid without him, but his gift for rooting out a chance was pined for terribly. They possessed adroitness, but there was a shortage of flair. Celtic coped with a series of ordinary crosses and never met with real vivacity. Wayne Rooney was subdued and Paul Scholes let people see why he is not so pleased with his form.

Celtic 1-0 Man Utd

BBC
By Colin Moffat

Celtic edged through to the knockout phase of the Champions League thanks to a wonderful Shunsuke Nakamura free-kick and a penalty save from Artur Boruc.

The Japanese star curled a sweet 30-yard strike into the top corner after 80 minutes to brighten what had been a cagey affair.

Manchester United striker Louis Saha was guilty of a terrible miss when he appeared to assume he was offside.

And Saha’s night got worse when Boruc saved his last-minute penalty kick.

United must now take a point from the final Group F match at home to Benfica to progress in the tournament.

Celtic, who have never made the last 16 in the Champions League, are level on nine points with United.

But Gordon Strachan’s side have a better head-to-head record with United, having scored away goals in their 3-2 loss at Old Trafford.

The visitors settled into a neat passing rhythm early on, taking the sting out of a keenly anticipated contest with sustained periods of possession.

Celtic were uncharacteristically timid in their approach, playing with two solid blocks of four and providing nothing for their strikers.

Neither goalkeeper had been threatened until an ambitious 20-yard volley from United’s Wayne Rooney skidded narrowly wide on 29 minutes.

A mistake from Bobo Balde then allowed Cristiano Ronaldo to race in on goal but the defender’s recovering lunge took the pace off the Portuguese star’s shot and Boruc got down smartly to save.

Maciej Zurawski and Michael Carrick compete at Celtic Park
United must now take a point from the final match

Celtic made a rare break forward late in the first half but Thomas Gravesen’s header from a Maciej Zurawski cross flashed harmlessly across the goal.

Strachan introduced Jiri Jarosik and Shaun Maloney after the interval but the switch did little to enliven proceedings.

Saha headed wide from a corner and Rio Ferdinand hooked a shot high over the crossbar from a similar situation.

Gravesen and Nakamura delivered shots on target but United keeper Edwin Van der Sar gathered with ease.

Ronaldo did well with a strong run after 77 minutes only to see his angled strike take a slight deflection and fizz wide.

The game burst into life in the final 10 minutes and Nakamura brought the previously subdued home support to their feet with his sensational free kick.

Saha was then guilty of dithering in front of goal, looking over at the linesman and allowing Boruc to block his shot.

United were awarded a penalty when Maloney handled a Ronaldo free-kick, but Boruc flew to his right to push away Saha’s spot-kick.

Celtic: Boruc, Telfer, Balde, McManus, Naylor, Nakamura (Miller 85), Gravesen, Lennon, Sno (Jarosik 46), Vennegoor of Hesselink, Zurawski (Maloney 46).
Subs Not Used: Marshall, Wilson, McGeady, O’Dea.

Booked: McManus, Gravesen, Lennon.

Goals: Nakamura 81.

Man Utd: Van der Sar, Neville, Ferdinand, Vidic, Heinze (Evra 87), Ronaldo, Carrick (O’Shea 87), Scholes, Giggs, Saha, Rooney.
Subs Not Used: Kuszczak, Brown, Richardson, Fletcher, Silvestre.

Booked: Scholes.

Att: 60,632.

Ref: Manuel Gonzalez (Spain).

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Man Utd hero fumes at teammate’s prediction following Celtic Park penalty miss

By Lubo98 19 November, 2020 No Comments

Man Utd hero fumes at teammate’s prediction following Celtic Park penalty miss

WITH THE FOURTEENTH ANNIVERSARY of Celtic’s famous win over Manchester United approaching, it is a game that one Celts in particular is fondly remembered, Shunsuke Nakamura. Gordon Strachan’s men put Sir Alex’s men to the sword with the Japanese midfielder scoring a sensational free kick and sealing the qualification to the Last 16.

However, some supporters might forget that Artur Boruc pulled off a stunning late penalty to deny Louis Saha and seal the three points in the Champions League for Celtic. Saha opened up about missing a penalty at Celtic Park for Manchester United in the Champions League in 2006. However, it was the aftermath of the game that upset the Frenchman so much with Gary Neville claiming he predicted that Saha would miss.

Embed from Getty Images

With a spectacular second half free-kick from Shunsuke Nakamura bursting the net, Celtic led going into the dying embers of the match. Although, with just minutes remaining, Sir Alex Ferguson’s side were given a life-line when Shaun Maloney was adjudged to have handled the ball from a United free-kick. Saha took the ball and the 60,000 in the stadium and fans around the world held their breath. Boruc saves. Celtic Qualify for the Last 16 with a victory over their English neighbours.

Speaking to FourFourTwo, the Frenchman accepted that Artur Boruc made a good save to deny him on the November night in Glasgow’s East End thirteen years ago.

“I have to credit Celtic’s goalkeeper for the penalty.

“It was a good save.”

However, Saha has revealed that the worst thing about the penalty is that his teammate and then United captain, Gary Neville spoke out about how he thought the then 28-year-old would miss from the spot.

“The worst memory about it is that my own team-mate, Gary Neville, actually predicted I’d miss the penalty!

“He said that to someone, then I read it in a newspaper – I was fuming!

“But with Gary, we argued a lot, so no change there.

“It’s about how you react, and the following weekend I scored against Chelsea , one of the best goals I scored in my career.”

Embed from Getty Images

Artur Boruc’s save from Louis Saha’s penalty filmed from the away end in Celtic’s 1-0 win against Manchester United.
“eff off!”  pic.twitter.com/pvfeoUhgFP

— John Sludden (@FACT290) November 21, 2018

Saha left Manchester United in 2008 with 42 goals in 124 games; however, all these years later it is obvious that THAT miss at Celtic Park still haunts him. The game that night set Celtic on the way to the Last 16, the first of Gordon Strachan’s time at Celtic and sealed a famous European victory against a top Man Utd team.

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From Autobiography – Between the Lines, (2021) of Michael Carrick

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