Kidnapped victim Shahbaz Taseer has revealed how listening to Manchester United games on the radio while being held captive kept him alive and sane.
Taseer, who is in his early 30's, was kidnapped by Islamic Insurgents in 2011 as a result of his father's position as a Pakistani governor."?
He spent a gruelling five years being held captive by gunmen in Lahore, Pakistan, before being released back to his family in March of this year.
"?"?He claimed that during his ordeal, the only thing that kept him sane was listening to Manchester United games on the radio, which was secretly brought in by a guard and fellow Man Utd fan.
OMG @ManUtd just sent me this!!! pic.twitter.com/ZJPOvNUdJr
"For me, it was a window to the outside world. Getting soccer news kept me sane,"? he said, as quoted in "?the Sun.
After hearing of the tragic happenings behind Taseer's kidnap, the Red Devils sent the victim a signed Manchester United shirt, much to the delight of the Pakistani native.
Over his five years of being captive Taseer listened on as Sir Alex Ferguson announced his retirement and as the likes of David Moyes and Louis Van Gaal enjoyed short stints in the Old Trafford hot seat.
With the violent events of the last few days in France reaching a climax, Shahbaz Taseer's story is a refreshing reminder of the power football has in the time of adversity.
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