De Gea reacted quickly; the nickname "goalkeeper" was not for nothing.

Unfortunately, De Bruyne's shot-cross was perfect, an angle so textbook it could be used as instructional material.

De Gea, who had leaped into the air and fallen back to the ground, scrambled to his feet.

He looked like he wanted to devour someone.

Defense, defense, defense!!

Where's the defense???

Missing a man is one thing, but by two or three meters?

Everyone went to defend Zhao Gang. Was he the only one on Manchester City who could play football???

"De Bruyne's shot! Truly a celestial strike, the arc is exquisite!

Manchester City, level the score!

Manchester United's defense, after Zhao Gang broke through Pogba, everyone's attention was focused on Zhao Gang. This is simply fatal!"

Janlu was roaring, Neville was shaking his head. Never mind De Gea, you could put Buffon in there, and two goalkeepers might be able to stop it.

How could they give up such a huge gap?

"This is the defense that Mourinho has trained. The entire defensive line was torn apart in an instant. After Zhao got past Pogba, he didn't even continue dribbling forward. All the nearby Manchester United players rushed towards him.

Is this really the kind of defense a Premier League team should have?

Is this really what the defensive master Mourinho has trained?

Chain defense?

It's a joke!"

"Most of these Manchester United players experienced the Europa League match against Norwich. Their fear of Zhao is too great, and they may already have psychological shadows.

Their defensive positioning is indeed not up to normal standards. If it were any other Manchester City player, such a big defensive loophole wouldn't have appeared." Neville's partner quickly tried to make excuses.

Manchester United's lead lasted less than four minutes!

Manchester City quickly equalized!

Zhao Gang's breakthrough attracted the defense, followed by a rabona pass with the outside of his foot, and De Bruyne curled it into the goal!

De Bruyne's celebration was unusually subdued. He opened his arms to greet his teammates, but his expression was far different from Ibrahimovic's.

There was no aura of dominance; he looked more like a sunny boy who had received a favorite toy.

Manchester City teammates surrounded De Bruyne, and De Bruyne embraced Zhao Gang.

The goal was indeed handsome enough, the arc as pleasing to the eye as his passes.

De Bruyne himself didn't expect the goal to be so easy, so smooth.

He looked up, and there wasn't a defender in sight.

It was like facing the goalkeeper alone in training. How could it not be simple?

The Etihad Stadium, which hadn't calmed down for a few minutes, was immediately greeted by a storm of shouts.

Amid the surging waves of people, the pitiful Manchester United fans were like a small boat swaying in the wind and rain, full of dangers.

Guardiola smiled, rolled up his sleeves, and applauded vigorously.

Manchester United's defense was admirable. How could they dare to reveal such a big flaw, certain that Zhao Gang would shoot rather than pass?

What audacity!

This greatly boosted Manchester City's morale, while Manchester United's confidence, which had just risen after scoring a goal, was severely suppressed.

"Manchester United's defense is a joke!"

"Was De Bruyne not being marked?"

"Did they really treat Zhao Gang as a reckless man? Zhao Gang's favorite thing is to assist his teammates! What were these people thinking?"

"Mourinho's defensive training has been going on for almost a season, and the players are still making such mistakes? Especially Pogba, that's not even his defensive area, why did he rush over?"

"Pogba is really like a clown. Mourinho can't do anything about it; he has to use him!"

"End it now, don't play. I feel like something big is going to happen to Manchester United again. With this defense, sigh!"

"Manchester United's offensive ability is very strong after a season of integration. Ibrahimovic, Rooney, and Lingard in the front, and Pogba and Mkhitaryan behind them. They can definitely score again!

Believe in Manchester United, believe in Mourinho!! Come on, Red Devils! DNA awakening, hunting time!!"

Although some Manchester United fans were pessimistic about Manchester United, a considerable number of fans believed that Manchester United could definitely win the game.

After all, Manchester United scored first.

Manchester United's attack power is not much worse than Manchester City's!

In the center circle, Manchester United restarted the game.

Rooney received the ball again.

Rooney, Manchester United's true hero.

Before this season, he had the idea of leaving Manchester United because he felt that his competitive state might not be good enough.

But Manchester United's entire midfield couldn't find anyone who could replace Rooney.

Mourinho even earnestly persuaded him to stay.

Manchester United is Little Fatty's belief. As long as Manchester United wants him, Rooney will of course shed his last drop of blood for Manchester United.

So, when Manchester United really needed him, he would not hesitate!

This season, Manchester United is actually in a rebuilding period and needs veterans like Rooney to stabilize the team.

They need him to help some young players grow up.

Rooney had just dribbled the ball past midfield when he encountered Zhao Gang.

The current Rooney is no longer the hot-blooded, combative teenager he was more than a decade ago.

He is now extremely selfless and peaceful, so he chose to pass the ball immediately.

He didn't have the confidence to get past Zhao Gang, and even if he did, he wouldn't easily dribble the ball himself.

It's not necessary.

Will it win cheers, but can it win the game?

Rooney passed to Pogba, signaling Pogba to be stable and look for teammates.

Pogba got the ball and saw Zhao Gang rushing towards him again. He had a lot of complaints about Zhao Gang, who not only ruined his dribbling breakthrough, but also made him fall to the ground like a turtle.

But he had to admit that this young man was too fierce.

Good defense, strong offense, passing, breakthroughs, tackles, he's good at everything.

Mourinho was right, this guy is very powerful!

However, Pogba knew it, but it was impossible for him to admit that Zhao Gang was very powerful!

This time, Pogba did not force a breakthrough against Zhao Gang, not because he didn't want to prove himself, but because Rooney and Mourinho kept reminding him to look for teammates.

This game is crucial for Manchester United. If he is intercepted by Zhao Gang again, he will probably be heavily criticized.

Winning is the most important thing!

Pogba began to pass the ball to find teammates and create space.

Wasting Zhao Gang's unnecessary running distance, defeating him doesn't necessarily mean winning one-on-one. Cooperating with teammates to make him run and tire him out is also a victory.

In fact, with Pogba's personality, he would never give in. After suffering such great humiliation, he would definitely try to make up for it. Rooney and Mourinho's reminders would not stop him at all.

The reason why he listened was entirely because he was afraid, afraid that he would be even more embarrassed when facing Zhao Gang.

These reasons were just Pogba comforting himself.

Manchester United's attack was proceeding in an orderly manner. Although they had lost a goal, the players' morale had not been lost.

It's a ninety-minute game, and it's still early!

They were looking for Manchester City's defensive loopholes.

But now, with Kyle Walker's addition, coupled with the improvement of Zhao Gang's defensive level, and the two center backs becoming more and more tacit, the defensive level has improved too much.

It is no longer the leaky situation it was at the beginning of the season.

It was difficult to create space using Manchester City's best ball control.

They could only rely on the players' individual abilities, constantly breaking through and attracting the defense to tear apart the defense line.

Manchester United took the initiative to slow down, and Manchester City did not easily speed up, still because of physical fitness issues.

Three days later, they would have a big battle against Arsenal away from home to determine the first champion of the season.

This is very important for both Manchester City and Arsenal.

The attacking and defensive rhythm of both sides slowed down.

Zhao Gang stood alone near the center circle, turning his head to observe the running positions of his teammates and Manchester United players.

Guardiola watched Zhao Gang's behavior with his arms crossed, his mind full of the figure of his proud disciple.

Too similar.

Except for being taller and having a better ability to score in the box.

He seems to be even stronger than him?

Guardiola exhaled. He couldn't help but sigh. What luck it was to be able to meet superstars that others couldn't meet in several lifetimes in such a short coaching career.

And he met two at once!

Zhao Gang, who was wandering in midfield, suddenly began to press forward!

This was a signal.

Seeing Zhao Gang's actions, Manchester City's midfielders and forwards almost simultaneously moved closer to Manchester United's off-ball players.

Unified frequency makes it more likely to win back the ball.

Jesus was the most active. This former rebellious guy now wanted nothing more than to create a penalty in the box for his big brother to take.

Seeing Zhao Gang start to press, Jesus rushed over like a gust of wind.

Manchester United's backfield immediately became chaotic. Their rhythm of passing the ball also sped up, but the forwards didn't have good positions, so they could only keep passing backwards, eventually reaching De Gea's feet.

Jesus rushed over like he was on steroids. As De Gea kicked the ball out, Jesus jumped high. Although he didn't intercept the ball, he still startled De Gea into a cold sweat.

Ibrahimovic had already retreated when he saw Manchester City pressing.

He didn't need to waste time on the front defensive line.

Retreating to wait for De Gea's long ball and setting up the attack for his teammates was also a common tactic.

The tall and strong Ibrahimovic struggled to win the ball, shook it twice, and didn't have a chance to turn around. Seeing Fernandinho pressing, he could only pass it back.

Rooney quickly responded.

Zhao Gang was still very active, interfering by sticking close.

He didn't stick too close. Manchester United's players have very good individual abilities. If he stuck too close, he could easily be dribbled past.

If it were a Championship team, Zhao Gang would have made close contact long ago. Would he still have room to dribble the ball?

Manchester City failed to successfully steal the ball in one round of pressing, and then slowed down the pace, but they didn't retreat as deeply as before. They would still follow up to interfere.

Time passed, and the score on the field did not change.

But Manchester United players, especially Rooney and Pogba, felt some solemnity.

Manchester United's midfield found it difficult to find teammates in the front.

It was difficult for them to break through Manchester City's midfield with the ball.

They could only keep choosing to pass back, and then kick a long ball, letting Ibrahimovic launch the attack as a pivot.

But this kind of attack had a very low success rate. After getting the ball, Ibrahimovic mostly had to choose to pass it back.

After receiving the pass from the defender, Pogba turned halfway, preparing to look for teammates or dribble forward, when he heard his old man Blind shouting loudly at him.

He also felt a gust of wind behind him.

He immediately realized that someone was coming to press!

His first reaction was Zhao Gang.

He turned his head to look, and sure enough, it was as expected!

Pogba was half-turned, almost with his back to Zhao Gang.

His heart was still full of the idea of defeating Zhao Gang, even if it was just to tease him.

Pogba was also very confident in his ability to protect the ball.

So he didn't choose to pass back to his teammates at first, but leaned against Zhao Gang.

Then, Pogba flicked the ball, and in a flash of lightning, he thought of his predecessor.

That French legend, Zidane!

The Marseille turn, extremely dashing!

If he performed a fancy move at this time, wouldn't he regain his face?

He would not only receive praise from the commentators and cheers from the fans.

More importantly, he would make Zhao Gang lose face!

Newspapers would report, in the Manchester derby, Pogba teases the core of Manchester City!

At this moment, Pogba had infinite power, as if Zizou had possessed him.

Left foot switches to right foot, right foot taps, dashing turn!!

Whoosh!

Pogba made a very large turn, which did look smooth!

However, the person turned around, but the ball was gone.

Pogba anxiously clapped his hands and turned his head to look at Zhao Gang dribbling the ball forward.

His movement just now was too large, and he was directly seen through.

Moreover, he didn't have enough spirituality and was not suitable for playing this kind of move at all.

Playing it was like Balotelli's swivel shot during his time at Manchester City, unsightly.

Blind's head was about to explode with anger.

You're a defensive midfielder, a defensive midfielder!

Do you know how terrible it is to lose the ball in that position??

Blind, who played as a defensive midfielder, of course knew how dangerous it was.

Mourinho on the sidelines roared and slapped his thigh hard.

He thought Pogba had really listened and would cooperate with his teammates and play well.

But he didn't listen at all!

Watching Zhao Gang dribble the ball forward, Blind quickly directed his teammates, Bailly stepped forward to intercept, and Blind held the line.

And Sane and Jesus saw Zhao Gang successfully steal the ball and rushed to the penalty area, quickly following forward.

Jesus rushed into the penalty area, and Sane ran all the way along the wing, about to step into the left side of the penalty area.

In an instant, Manchester United's penalty area was full of dangers.

Sterling was also sprinting on the right wing.

Jesus's pull made Blind have to move closer to him.

And Sane quickly bypassed Valencia.

At the moment when he was about to be offside, Zhao Gang chipped the ball up and into the penalty area.

Bailly hadn't even marked him closely yet, and the ball had already flown away.

Sane, who bypassed Valencia, accelerated, and Valencia couldn't turn around in time.

When the football fell, Sane threw himself out, stretched out his leg, and directly cushioned the football.

Then Sane slid a distance along the turf, and the football went into the near corner of the goal!

Whoosh, the football hit the net. This ball was of average speed for professional players, but the distance was too close!

De Gea quickly went to ground, but couldn't stop it.

Two to one!

Manchester City took the lead at home!

Sane quickly got up and rushed to the sidelines.

Since joining Manchester City, he had only performed well in the first two games. After that, Sane seemed to be a little lost in attack.

Today, on the big stage of the Manchester derby.

In the spotlight, he returned to the wing and immediately scored!

Sane excitedly waved his fist and roared, releasing the pressure in his heart.

The young man, who became famous in the Bundesliga, was a little unaccustomed to the Premier League. The huge gap made him struggle.

At this moment of venting, he even had the urge to cry.

Listening to the cheers of Manchester City fans, Sane was very excited, and those doubts could finally leave him for a short time!

He turned around and hugged Zhao Gang, who ran over to celebrate.

They weren't much different in age, plus Jesus, De Bruyne, and Sterling.

These young people, even if Manchester City doesn't introduce midfielders and forwards in the next five or six years, these few are enough to make the Premier League tremble.