Former Captive Recounts Checking Manchester United’s League Position While in Kidnappers’ Den
Emmanuel Femi Adedayo 
A kidnapping survivor has shared a striking and unusual account of his time in captivity, revealing that he once used a brief moment of access to a kidnapper’s phone to check Manchester United’s standing in the English Premier League.
According to the survivor, one of the gang leaders handed him a mobile phone and instructed him to install social media applications such as WhatsApp and TikTok. While carrying out the task, he took the opportunity to discreetly check live football updates and Manchester United’s league position.
He recalled that the incident occurred around November, when the club was reportedly sitting in ninth place on the league table at the time.
Despite the traumatic circumstances surrounding his captivity, the survivor said his attention briefly shifted to football, reflecting on how deeply rooted his support for the club remained even in a moment of extreme fear and uncertainty.
“At that point, I realized nothing can cure my support for Manchester United. If I could check the table in that situation, then nothing can shake me again. United for life. Glory, glory Manchester United,” he said.
The story has since drawn attention online for its unusual contrast between a life-threatening experience and a moment of everyday sports fandom.
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