Chapter 1 The First Minute

The time was just past midnight, which was more reasonable compared to a 3 AM kickoff.

However, it was much worse than the English Championship's prime 10 PM kickoff time.

Many fans even wished Zhao Gang was still in the English Championship so they could watch him perform at the best time.

Fortunately, it was Saturday afternoon local time, which was Sunday morning in Long Country. Compared to Monday mornings, there were many more Long Country fans watching.

Only a minute in, and Manchester United's goal had already been breached.

"Haha… It's Manchester United again! Zhao Gang's true lucky team! Zhao Gang wasn't that famous when he was tearing it up in the English Championship. What really made him famous were those two Europa League matches against Manchester United!

This time, it hasn't even been a minute, and Zhao Gang is at it again!!"

"I'm happy for Zhao Gang's assist, but Manchester United is my team! I've loved Manchester United for ten years!

Can we negotiate a bit? Can Zhao Gang score seven or eight goals, give out seven or eight assists, and then City loses in the end? That would make me so happy!"

"Huh? Manchester United still has fans?" One new fan was a little confused. What does Manchester United have? No Premier League titles, and they collapsed at the end of last season, not even qualifying for the Champions League.

Their style of play isn't flashy enough, and they don't play with enough passion. They have nothing going for them, so how can they have fans?

In reality, Manchester United has a large fan base in Long Country, especially among the real old fans.

The number might not be less than Milan's.

Manchester United's decline in recent years has made some new soccer fans feel that Manchester United's presence isn't strong and that they don't seem to have any fans.

Manchester United's fans are just old, not particularly active, they're not dead.

And the Manchester United they love has drifted further and further away, disappointing them to the extreme, and they're too lazy to discuss it.

It's similar to how Long Country fans feel about their national team's disappointments.

"Manchester United still has fans. New fans can have their own opinions, but don't mock us old guys."

"Ah, if only Zhao Gang could join Manchester United."

"There were rumors before that Sir Alex discussed it with Peran, and they even seemed to have eaten together with Zhao Gang.

It's just that Zhao Gang is closer to Guardiola's soccer philosophy. If Sir Alex hadn't retired, Zhao Gang might have joined Manchester United.

With the current Manchester United, Zhao Gang's personality would probably be infuriated to death by their arrogant DNA!"

"Yeah, look at these Manchester City teammates, they're all low-key and humble. No bloodline shackles."

*Beep!!*

Manchester United players kicked off from the center circle. The current Manchester United doesn't have any internal conflicts. Although they conceded a goal at the start, they didn't collapse like they did last season.

They organized a well-structured and purposeful counterattack.

Mourinho, as a world-class coach, of course did his homework on Manchester City before the match.

Manchester City's individual ball control and passing ability is quite strong. They've only conceded one goal in three matches, which seems like their defense is good.

But in reality, they concede few goals because their possession rate is very high, plus the players' individual abilities are outstanding. It's not because their team defense is perfect.

The best way to play Manchester City is, of course, a defensive counterattack, or a desperate style of play, like West Ham United did, constantly pressing and winning back possession.

However, now that they're behind, that method isn't very useful anymore.

So, they'll use another method.

Constantly attack Manchester City's right flank!

Which is Manchester United's left-wing attack, letting Martial break through constantly, turning Manchester City's right flank into a corridor, forcing others to come over and help defend, finding gaps for Rooney and Ibrahimović in the middle.

Just like Zhao Gang did before.

Using their own tactics against them!

Martial's greatest strengths are speed and breakthrough ability.

And facing Zhao Gang's defense, this is simply a drop in difficulty!

Speed isn't Zhao Gang's strong suit, and his defense isn't great either.

So, facing Martial, Zhao Gang has almost no way to stop him.

Fortunately, there's someone behind Zhao Gang, a very strong defensive midfielder, Fernandinho.

This was originally Guardiola's strong backup plan for Zhao Gang.

It's just that Manchester City's matches before haven't encountered any strong breakthrough points, so Fernandinho's role wasn't very obvious.

Now, his super strong interception ability and extremely tough style of play finally has a use.

Martial charged forward like a swift horse.

Welcoming the crazy cheers of Old Trafford.

Seeing that Long Country teenager being turned into trash by their record signing, they felt relieved!

Fernandinho kept covering, making several direct tackles, because his defensive experience was so good, his positioning and timing were excellent.

So, he didn't commit any fouls, just gave Manchester United a throw-in.

Zhao Gang stood not far away, thinking to himself that he must seize this opportunity.

Such excellent teammates, such a good defensive midfielder, he has to learn from him!

And on the other side, Gundogan also quickly came to support, which is why Guardiola bought him.

Gundogan's individual defense isn't strong, but his teamwork and ability to support his teammates is extremely strong.

It wasn't difficult for two defensive midfielders to surround Martial.

Martial received the support of the entire stadium, and he became more and more excited as he played. Being able to gain such a one-sided advantage in the contest with Zhao Gang, his emotions flared up at his age, and he became unstoppable.

However, Ferguson in the stands and Mourinho on the sidelines weren't too excited.

Martial indeed has enough talent and skill.

And from the looks of it, he seems to be making Manchester City's midfield suffer.

But, this is all an illusion.

Martial can break through, he can accelerate past defenders, but he can't enter the real danger zone at all.

More importantly, he can't see his teammates at all!

He doesn't have a passing awareness, and probably doesn't have the passing skill either!

His level is such that he can defeat an amateur team on his own, but he's facing Manchester City!

How can he defeat them alone?

Ferguson chewed his gum, looking at the somewhat clumsy young man in defense.

Martial is full of energy now, and thinks he's really stronger than Zhao Gang.

Little does he know that Ferguson saw the difference between the two at a glance.

Every step of Zhao Gang's dribbling breakthrough is looking for opportunities, for his teammates and for himself.

His progress is for the sake of scoring goals, for the sake of winning!

And Martial is completely trying to show off himself, to get everyone's approval!

His thinking is the problem.

What it shows is, selfishness.

His breakthrough can win the cheers of the fans and increase his own confidence, but in the eyes of the top coaches, it's completely useless.

Rooney and Ibrahimović ran around for several laps without receiving a pass from Martial.

Martial only thinks of his teammates when he can't break through, passing the ball out like he's doing charity.

Only when the ball reaches Rooney's feet does a real threat appear!

The cooperation between him and Ibrahimović put a lot of pressure on Manchester City's defense.

Ibrahimović's physical condition and ball sense are absolutely top-notch among center forwards.

"Whoa…"

Ibrahimović, at the edge of the penalty area, received a pass from Rooney and took a powerful shot. Bravo didn't even dare to catch it directly, but instead punched the ball out of the penalty area with both fists.

Zhao Gang, who had just been beaten by Martial, was working hard to retreat, when he suddenly saw Gundogan control the ball with his chest and pass it to him with a powerful turn.

Manchester City's attacking midfielder turned and ran.

Zhao Gang, receiving the ball, didn't hesitate at all, and passed a long ball to De Bruyne.

Ferguson in the stands clenched his fists tightly.

That's what you call a counterattack!

If it were Martial, he would have dribbled the ball all the way across the midfield line.

Breaking through isn't necessarily a bad thing, but in this situation, the ball definitely travels faster than a person. Directly finding a more threatening teammate is the best choice.

This is the qualitative difference between excellent players and superstars.