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Arsenal's Kieran Gibbs and Manchester United's Antonio Valencia. Dave Thompson/PA Wire/Press Association Images

As it happened: Manchester United v Arsenal, Premier League

The Premier League leaders travelled to the home of current champions.

OLD TRAFFORD IS the venue as Manchester United host Arsenal in the weekend’s biggest game.

As always, we’d love to hear your thoughts on the game. E-mail ben@thescore.ie, tweet @thescore_iepost a message to our Facebook wall, or leave a comment below.

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Manchester United 1-0 Arsenal

Good afternoon all. We’re 20 minutes away from kick-off at Old Trafford so I’ll get right to it. Here are the two starting teams:

Manchester United: De Gea, Smalling, Vidic, Evans, Evra, Valencia, Jones, Carrick, Kagawa, Rooney, van Persie. Subs: Giggs, Lindegaard, Hernandez, Nani, Cleverley, Fellaini, Januzaj.

Arsenal: Szczesny, Sagna, Koscielny, Vermaelen, Gibbs, Arteta, Flamini, Ramsey, Ozil, Cazorla, Giroud. Subs: Wilshere, Monreal, Fabianski, Bendtner, Jenkinson, Gnabry, Hayden.

Despite rumours this afternoon that Robin van Persie wouldn’t be involved, the Dutchman is named in the team to face his old club. Phil Jones will partner Michael Carrick in midfield while Shinji Kagawa looks likely to start on the left with Rooney in behind RVP.

The Gunners are without Per Mertesacker and Thomas Rosicky, who are both ill, so  Thomas  Vermaelen comes into the backline. Olivier Giroud, with eight goals this season, leads the line.

Minute’s silence out of the way so here we go. An observation from my colleague Steve O’Rourke: “Why does Fred The Red get to take part?”.

Under that enormous suit, mascots are real people too, Steve.

Credit: Dave Thompson/PA Wire/Press Association Images

Early pressure from United  in the opening five minutes but Arsenal deal with it sufficiently. The Gunners then get a hold of the ball and begin to string several passes together in the opposing half.

As the two sides feel their way into the game, Wayne Rooney takes a shot from distance which takes a deflection before being collected by Wojciech Szczesny.

Nice interchanges from Arsenal with Mesut Ozil down the right but Jones gets his body in front of Giroud and wins a free-kick. Expect the all-action England international to be in the thick of it today.

GOAL! Manchester United 1 Arsenal 0 (Robin van Persie)

Who else but RVP? The striker makes a late run to the front post to guide a glancing header into the far post from Rooney’s corner. He celebrates emphatically.

The home team are pushing for a second and Rooney appeals for a penalty after going down under a challenge from Giroud. Referee Michael Oliver is having none of it and it looks a good call.

There has just been a nasty clash of heads between Jones and Szczesny during a United corner leaves the Polish goalkeeper on the ground. He requires treatment but is okay to continue.

Harshly, Jones picks up a yellow card for his attempt to win a header.

Mathieu Flamini has also just been booked for a tackle on Jones a couple of minutes later.

Half-time: Manchester United 1-0 Arsenal

De Gea comes flying out of his goal and collides with Vidic, leaving the Serbian defender on the floor. He is stretchered off the pitch just before the half-time whistle and looks unlikely to return after the break.

Credit: 101 Great Goals

Second half — here we go. One change for United with Tom Cleverley coming on for the injured Vidic and Jones dropping back into central defence.

New signing Marouane Fellaini remains on the bench.

Free-kick to Arsenal after Cleverley takes Giroud down 30 yards out. Vermaelen tries his luck but it is nowhere near the target.

An Arsenal corner falls to Sagna, who puts the ball back into the danger area. Ozil takes a touch before shooting from an acute angle where he can only find the sidenetting.

Next, Giroud steps over the ball and Ramsey gets his shot off early. De Gea isn’t troubled and gets down to smother the ball.

Big chance for Rooney. Kagawa heads on to Van Persie and he feeds his strike partner, who cuts in onto his left and drags a shot just wide of the post.

Jack Wilshere is on for Flamini, meanwhile.

They may be enjoying the majority of possession but, as of yet, Arsenal have been unable to break down United’s backline. As I write that, there is some fairly desperate defending to get the ball clear.

Rooney then sprints three-quarters of the pitch and catches Vermaelen late. Free-kick but no card.

Sagna’s cross is a good one but Evans gets the slightest of touches to put it out of the reach of the loitering attackers. The corner finds its way to Cazorla, but the Spaniards gets his angles all wrong.

Yellow card for Rooney after he chops down Ramsey.

Ryan Giggs is coming on for the final 13 minutes with Kagawa making way. Arsene Wenger, meanwhile, is introducing Nicklas Bendtner for Santi Cazorla.

Van Persie sends in an inviting free-kick into the box and Smalling arrives at the back post but can’t get his head to it.

The defender makes up for the miss moments later with a perfectly-timed tackle on Giroud.

Backs against the wall for United now. Two minutes plus injury time to play.

Full-time: Manchester United 1-0 Arsenal

Given their indifferent start to the season, that is a massive win for United. With Man City losing out to Man City, David Moyes’ men are up to fifth — just five points behind Arsenal.

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62 Comments
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    Mute Mr. Common Sense
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    Nov 10th 2013, 4:07 PM

    Watching the teams walk out…I do miss Roy Keane and Vierra….

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    Mute Conor Curtis
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    Nov 10th 2013, 3:49 PM

    Come on arsenal

    96
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    Mute Andrew Nolan
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    Nov 10th 2013, 4:08 PM

    37 red thumbs for supporting your team! The world is a sad place.

    46
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    Mute andrew
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    Nov 10th 2013, 7:52 PM

    113 red thumbs for your comment. thank god the fight against banality continues

    18
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    Mute Joseph McGranaghan
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    Nov 10th 2013, 6:08 PM

    Rumours of our decline have been massively exaggerated!!

    83
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    Mute Kieran McGurran
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    Nov 10th 2013, 4:15 PM

    No place for the diving expert Mr A Young

    82
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    Mute P O Leary.
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    Nov 10th 2013, 6:08 PM

    and rightly so

    42
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    Mute Michael King
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    Nov 10th 2013, 4:04 PM

    So beautiful watching Man United’s decline! Haha

    63
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    Mute Paul Nelly Nelson
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    Nov 10th 2013, 4:32 PM

    agreed, i hope they both lose

    15
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    Mute Bob Frapples
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    Nov 10th 2013, 6:06 PM

    Some decline alright…

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    Mute Karol Doran
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    Nov 10th 2013, 6:23 PM

    Michael,

    What decline are you referring to?

    38
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    Mute Conor Cahill
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    Nov 10th 2013, 4:41 PM

    Robin Van Persie has scored. Now a certain Michael King said he loves watching Man United’s decline. Well Mr. King, we’re not on decline, based on what I have seen of the whole game so far.

    59
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    Mute P O Leary.
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    Nov 10th 2013, 6:13 PM

    happy with that result. signs of improvement over the past few weeks. very strange results all weekend so its anybody’s title at this stage.

    59
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    Mute Lar G Rection
    Favourite Lar G Rection
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    Nov 10th 2013, 6:05 PM

    Great result for Moyes and football, United now into 5th place.

    56
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    Mute Mark Campbell
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    Nov 10th 2013, 9:32 PM

    Good result for football? United are a team of hoofers that wouldn’t know a string of passes if it kicked them in the face

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    Mute Alan McCartney
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    Nov 11th 2013, 1:22 AM

    You’re hardly supporting a British team?

    2
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    Mute Joseph McGranaghan
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    Nov 10th 2013, 5:50 PM

    He’s won it 13 times, he won it 13 times, that boy Giggsy he’s won it 13 times!!

    52
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    Mute SlyLad
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    Nov 10th 2013, 4:16 PM

    What’s the odds Arsenal will brown the togs in this game

    52
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    Mute Déaglán MacThóirdealbaigh
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    Nov 10th 2013, 4:20 PM

    Arsenal are 6/5 to lose

    8
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    Mute Conor Cahill
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    Nov 10th 2013, 4:22 PM

    What on earth does that even mean? -_-

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    Mute SlyLad
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    Nov 10th 2013, 4:31 PM

    Use your imagination conor

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    Mute Conor Cahill
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    Nov 10th 2013, 4:35 PM

    No. Try to be more clear with what you’re saying SkyLad.

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    Mute Paul Nelly Nelson
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    Nov 10th 2013, 4:58 PM

    conors’ penny has a parachute

    28
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    Mute Colm Moynihan
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    Nov 10th 2013, 9:16 PM

    That’s excellent hahaha

    7
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    Mute Joseph McGranaghan
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    Nov 10th 2013, 5:42 PM

    Every time I see Phil Jones play centre half I’m impressed, I just hope we can get some midfielders in the club in January so we can let him establish himself in there

    50
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    Mute Aidan Lennon
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    Nov 10th 2013, 6:13 PM

    Davie Moyes is a football genius

    50
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    Mute Declan Doyle
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    Nov 10th 2013, 6:20 PM

    United are finished as a team. Yawn yawn yawn. Look over your shoulder boys here we come !
    Arsenal neutralised and made look ordinary for much of that

    49
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    Mute redmarauder
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    Nov 10th 2013, 6:11 PM

    Go reds! We are back for the title race!! 1-0

    40
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    Mute Graham Kavanagh
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    Nov 10th 2013, 7:53 PM

    Yeah go reds, i agree, great to see ‘pool up there…. Kidding! But I am serious, great too see the league wide open right now. Been a long time since it was this open. If any of the top 5 go on a 6-7 winning streak, would put themselves in a good position…. Great to see southampton there too…. People were pissed when they fired the coach last year….

    21
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    Mute Lar G Rection
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    Nov 10th 2013, 5:26 PM

    Come on United.

    34
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    Mute Ciaran O Connor
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    Nov 10th 2013, 4:08 PM

    As a liverpool supporter a draw would be nice. As for my dream team a 1 all draw with ramsey and rooney scoring would do quite nicely.

    33
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    Mute John Deane
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    Nov 10th 2013, 6:41 PM

    I was an idiot for saying David Moyes is the wrong man for the job. I have egg on my face now. Great win for United. 5 points behind Arsenal and in 5th Place.

    30
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    Mute Mark Campbell
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    Nov 10th 2013, 5:15 PM

    Arsenal desperately need a Top striker in January.

    22
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    Mute Fong Wannapho
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    Nov 10th 2013, 4:21 PM

    It’s a pity they couldn’t both lose.

    19
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    Mute micheal285
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    Nov 10th 2013, 6:42 PM

    RVP celebration was a disgusting to say the least ; no respect for the Man and the Team that made him what he is today .

    15
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    Mute Davin Lynch
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    Nov 10th 2013, 7:09 PM

    Made him what he is? He had to leave just to win something,get over it.

    69
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    Mute micheal285
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    Nov 10th 2013, 7:31 PM

    Yes Davin : made him what he is ; stuck by him all them seasons when he was injured and never lost faith in him : after one good season he wanted away but by that stage old Whiskey Nose had his little soldiers out and unsettling him ; he stayed and helped us get into the CL but he wanted to go and live the dream and Wegner allowed him to do that and he threw it all back in his face today : ye can have him and yer welcome to him

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    Mute mark ryan
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    Nov 10th 2013, 7:41 PM

    You obviously didnt see his two goals against Arsenal last year?

    35
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    Mute micheal285
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    Nov 10th 2013, 7:46 PM

    Yes I did but he didn’t rub it in like he did today : he was disrespectful today

    4
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    Mute Davin Lynch
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    Nov 10th 2013, 7:49 PM

    Sour grapes much? Will you be as bitter when Nicky (Pele) Bentner leaves?

    31
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    Mute micheal285
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    Nov 10th 2013, 8:13 PM

    It’s not sour grapes Davin ; it’s about respect ; how privileged are they to have such a life but never forget who gave it to them

    2
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    Mute Davin Lynch
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    Nov 10th 2013, 8:16 PM

    The gooners boo his every touch, where’s their respect? Don’t forget he carried arsenal for a time too, swings both ways.

    41
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    Mute micheal285
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    Nov 10th 2013, 8:22 PM

    Hahaha and ye never do that : I’m not talking about the fans I’m talking about the Manager and the club

    2
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    Mute Kurt Barlow
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    Nov 10th 2013, 8:24 PM

    Also don’t forget Michael that Wenger tried playing with his head in the last two days saying that in his eyes RVP is still an arsenal player , So he was right to celebrate to slap Wenger in the face for his childish mind games

    22
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    Mute Davin Lynch
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    Nov 10th 2013, 8:26 PM

    Come on man,Wengers comments were brutal and if anything showed a lack of respect, ” I consider him an arsenal player”… I’ve got news for you, he ain’t,utd pay his HUGE wages that arsenal wouldn’t. He should know better.

    19
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    Mute Dan Harrington
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    Nov 10th 2013, 8:52 PM

    Van Persie says nothin but good things about Arsenal, fans scream for his blood, call him traitor, and yet it takes him 3 games to eventually celebrate.
    Ronaldo says good things about United, fans reciprocate. He doesnt celebrate.
    Respect is a two way street!

    30
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    Mute Vinny Healy
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    Nov 10th 2013, 10:55 PM

    He didnt celebrate the first goal he scored against arsenal. Hes entitled to celebrate after that

    16
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    Mute Vinny Healy
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    Nov 10th 2013, 10:57 PM

    “Ye can have him and yer welcome to him”. we have him and we are keeping him but in the mean time if you could get over yoursel that’d be great

    10
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    Mute micheal285
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    Nov 11th 2013, 12:05 AM

    And of course Fergie never played with anyone’s head !!!!!!

    2
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    Mute Davin Lynch
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    Nov 11th 2013, 12:40 AM

    Stop being a bad loser,everybody gets beat,suck it up.

    11
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    Mute Brendan Corcoran
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    Nov 11th 2013, 2:32 AM

    Just as disrespectful as the Arsenal fans singing about him being a rapist! Get over yourself!

    13
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    Mute Paddy
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    Nov 11th 2013, 2:27 PM

    Van-per-sie….when the girl says no…molest her! To the tune of re rewind by Craig David. One of the better chants :-)

    1
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    Mute Dagda
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    Nov 10th 2013, 4:15 PM

    Mertesacker off home with a stomach bug, I hope Vermaelen is up to task. A win today would be huge considering the way the other results have gone. 3-1 to the Arsenal with the boy Ramsey gettin’ 1 and giroud gettin’ 2. Shrek will get 1 for Baa utd.

    14
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    Mute Conor Curtis
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    Nov 10th 2013, 4:20 PM

    1-1 draw for me

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    Mute Jack Russell
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    Nov 10th 2013, 4:18 PM

    Hurry up with the james mcc story.. comments should be good

    12
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    Mute Joe Mahon
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    Nov 10th 2013, 4:41 PM

    What are you on about?

    10
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    Mute Jack Russell
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    Nov 10th 2013, 4:51 PM

    Head over to twitter joe. Search for McClean. All will be revealed

    5
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    Mute Steve Herron
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    Nov 11th 2013, 6:48 AM

    One has to question why Bendtner is allowed to even have a place on the bench. I know the squad is stretched but surely a kid from the youth team would be better than a player who repeatedly states his public contempt for the manager and team. Hell I’d play the kit man with the glass eye before I’d play Bendtner.

    6
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    Mute Joseph McGranaghan
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    Nov 10th 2013, 5:44 PM

    Kagawa has drifted out of this one, maybe Adnan time?

    3
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    Mute Paul Nelly Nelson
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    Nov 10th 2013, 5:56 PM

    liverpool are calling suarez and sturridge SAS, heres a suggestion of the players that could be used for utd -welbeck, anderson, nani, kagawa

    27
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    Mute Vinny Healy
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    Nov 10th 2013, 10:59 PM

    Well thought out very good

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    Mute Kenneth
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    Nov 11th 2013, 11:27 AM

    Soccer = nonsense

    1
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