Starting with saving Manchester United

Chapter 59 David, I scored!

"CCTV, this is CCTV!"

"Viewers at home, we are now broadcasting live the first leg of the 2013/14 UEFA Champions League quarter-finals at Camp Nou in Barcelona, Spain."

"Spanish powerhouse Barcelona will host English Premier League giants Manchester United at home."

"In this highly anticipated match, standing in front of the away team Manchester United's coaching bench is Yang Fan, a 25-year-old head coach from China."

"This 25-year-old young man comes from a southern province on the coast of China. He graduated from the Department of Economics at the University of Bristol in the UK. He joined Manchester United in 2013. In March, Manchester United manager Moyes was sacked, and he was temporarily appointed as Manchester United's interim manager."

"During his time at Manchester United, he led the team in four games, and Manchester United won four games in a row. This not only stopped the slump of the past six months, but also turned around the team's morale and confidence."

"These four matches include a remarkable comeback against Olympiacos and a derby victory against Manchester City, which we beat 3-1."

"Now, he's leading Manchester United in an away game against Barcelona!"

"This is the first time in history that a Chinese person has appeared on the stage of the highest level of competition, the Champions League quarterfinals."

"What's even more remarkable is that he did it not as a player, but as a head coach."

"As we watched the live television broadcast, we could see that this was Yang Fan."

"25 years old, very young, even younger than most of Manchester United's players."

"The person shaking hands with him was Barcelona's head coach, Martino."

"We have the starting lineups for both teams."

"Manchester United, playing away, will still use the 3-4-2-1 formation they have been using recently."

Goalkeeper: De Gea;

Defense: Vidic, Ferdinand and Smalling;

Midfielders: Ashley Young, Carrick, Phil Jones and Valencia, with Fellaini and Rooney up front;

Forward: Robin van Persie.

"From today's starting lineup, we can see that Manchester United has made some targeted adjustments."

"Cleverley did not start this game; Phil Jones was replaced in a deeper midfield position."

"This formidable player has always played as a defender, but he has also had excellent performances in midfield, earning him the nickname 'Flying General'."

"Playing Phil Jones in midfield in a match like this is clearly intended to increase the pressing and interception intensity in midfield."

"Furthermore, this is the first time in recent times that Vidic and Ferdinand have started together."

"Manchester United captain Vidic will join Inter Milan after this season ends, while Ferdinand has not yet renewed his contract."

"Therefore, the partnership between the two will basically be their swan song after this season ends."

"As for the forwards, Van Persie and Rooney have both been recovering in form recently and are performing better and better."

"Fellaini is also one of Manchester United's most outstanding players in recent times."

"But how effective it will be remains to be seen in the competition."

……

Standing in Camp Nou, Yang Fan looked up at the stadium, which can hold nearly 10 people. It was truly oppressive, especially when the roar of the fans poured down from the stands.

It's not just about the number of people.

More importantly, the slope of the stands.

Due to two tragedies in the 80s, the slope of stadium stands in the UK is strictly limited.

But in Spain, there are no such concerns, so the stands are very steep.

The three-tiered stands were packed with people, one after another, a sea of black.

That feeling was truly amazing!

When Yang Fan turned his gaze back to the pitch, Van Persie and Rooney were already standing in the center circle, ready to kick off.

At this moment, the Barcelona players are already on high alert.

Yang Fan and the coaching staff correctly predicted Barcelona's starting eleven and their tactics.

Inside the stadium, all 11 Manchester United players had three green lights lit up above their heads.

This is currently the strongest and best-performing lineup that Yang Fan can field.

Manchester United's opening move was meticulously planned from the start.

The players are all on high alert.

As soon as the German referee Brych blew his whistle, Fellaini rushed forward at top speed from the left side of the center line.

Van Persie passed to Rooney, who then passed back to Carrick.

Carrick didn't pass the ball back. Instead, after stopping the ball and adjusting, he launched a long, high pass to the left flank of the attacking third.

Fellaini and Mascherano both jumped at the same time to contest the header.

The Belgian headed the ball first and passed it back to the left sideline.

Ashley Young made a quick forward run, caught up with the ball, and faced Alves. He first made a feint, but failed to shake off Alves. He then tried to cut inside, but Alves got there first and poked the ball away.

But by this time, Manchester United's overall formation had already pushed forward.

Carrick once again passed the ball diagonally to the left flank of the attacking third.

Fellaini used his body to block Mascherano, controlled the ball with his back to goal, and then passed it back to Ashley Young, who was cutting inside.

Ashley Young, without stopping the ball, launched a high, diagonal pass.

Pique headed the ball away before Van Persie could get there.

But the ball still didn't fly far.

Outside the 30-meter zone, Phil Jones intercepted the ball and passed it to Carrick, who then passed it back to Fellaini on the left flank.

The Belgian received the ball with his back to goal and then passed it to the left wing.

Ashley Young received the ball and tried to cross it, but was double-teamed by Alves and Busquets, and ended up taking the ball out of bounds.

Barcelona's throw-in.

The entire Camp Nou stadium was filled with cheers!

When Yang Fan saw this scene from the sidelines, he clapped enthusiastically to encourage his players.

"Well done, keep pushing it up, keep pushing it up!"

Manchester United players pressed forward in large numbers.

Alves had just thrown the ball out of bounds when Manchester United intercepted it.

Carrick tried to chip the ball behind the defense again, but this time Mascherano headed it away.

Barcelona quickly switched the ball to the right flank, where Manchester United's defense was weak, which is Barcelona's left flank.

But when Alba received the ball in front of Barcelona's 30-meter zone, Valencia had already rushed up to him.

Iniesta quickly dropped back to receive the ball, but instead of holding onto it, he kicked it back to Alba who was running towards the center.

As a result, Rooney stood there and easily intercepted the ball.

After successfully intercepting the ball, Manchester United immediately launched a counter-attack.

Rooney passed to Valencia, who attempted a breakthrough on the right wing but failed, and then passed back to Phil Jones.

When Van Persie received the ball on the right side of the penalty arc, he didn't hesitate at all and immediately swung his foot to shoot.

The left-footed curler almost curled into the top left corner of Barcelona's goal.

At this moment, it is exactly 1 minute and 30 seconds.

The first shot of the game!

The 10 Barcelona fans at Camp Nou were all speechless!

……

"Manchester United started very aggressively."

"Barcelona are preparing to take the goal kick, but Manchester United show no intention of retreating to their own half."

"Look at this time, Pinto takes the goal kick."

"Vidic headed the ball back."

"The ball is still in Barcelona's half, and Manchester United are pressing forward again."

"The Red Devils are very ambitious playing away from home."

"Manchester United made a successful interception, followed by a one-two pass in the attacking third."

"Rooney passes to Fellaini again..."

"Oops, it stopped too late."

"Fellaini's footwork is still a bit rough."

"Manchester United players still can't handle the kind of continuous one-touch passing that Barcelona plays."

"But after losing possession, they quickly counter-pressed, forcing Busquets to pass the ball back to the goalkeeper."

When goalkeeper Pinto receives the ball, under normal circumstances, the team should choose to retreat.

Unexpectedly, Van Persie suddenly accelerated and sprinted towards Barcelona's penalty area.

Goalkeepers cannot use their hands to receive back passes.

Pinto stopped the ball with one kick, and initially wanted to take a moment to catch his breath.

Unexpectedly, Van Persie suddenly came up, and there was no reliable passing option within his field of vision, so he had no choice but to make another long pass and kick the ball out.

Needless to say, the ball fell back to Manchester United's feet.

Manchester United pressed forward again.

Although this attack still failed to create a shooting threat, Manchester United showed an aggressive style.

And then there's the players' determination.

Yang Fan clapped enthusiastically from the sidelines, cheering on the players' performance.

The Barcelona fans at the scene also noticed something amiss.

Although it's an away game, the match has already been going on for 3 minutes, and it's mostly been played in Barcelona's half.

The Red Devils have absolutely no intention of retreating.

This kind of all-out determination from the very beginning made even the 10 Barcelona fans in the stands feel uneasy.

More importantly, it was the Manchester United players' commitment and execution during the game.

Even Van Persie was like a hunting dog, tearing apart his prey as soon as he caught it on the field.

Barcelona has always had a problem with a slow start to the game, and in the past two years, this problem has become more and more serious as the players have aged.

Now that Manchester United are playing with all their might, even at Camp Nou, Barcelona are struggling to keep up.

Martino, dressed in a suit and tie, stood on the sidelines with one hand in his pocket and a serious expression on his face.

But clearly, he was helpless about it.

Around 5 minutes and 20 seconds into the game, when Alba dribbled forward down the left flank and, under pressure from Valencia, sent a through ball to Iniesta on the left side of the midfield, Phil Jones suddenly appeared from the side and made a sliding tackle, sending Iniesta and the ball flying out of bounds.

Out of bounds.

But when Alba walked over and raised the ball above his head with both hands, he found that Manchester United were already waiting in full force.

Once the ball is thrown past midfield, it's probably gone for good.

After thinking for a moment, Alba feinted a shot, then turned and threw the ball towards his own half, intending to find Pique.

Van Persie quickly chased after Pique.

Pique had no choice but to turn around, shield the ball, and pass it back into the penalty area to find goalkeeper Pinto.

"Manchester United's pressing from the start was suffocating!"

"But this style of play is also very physically demanding."

"We saw Yang Fan on the sidelines waving his hand repeatedly, signaling the team to push forward."

……

Just as Pique passed the ball back to the goalkeeper, Rooney, who had been tracking back, hadn't yet gotten into position.

Without hesitation, Fellaini rushed towards Mascherano on the left side of the edge of Barcelona's penalty area.

"Watch out, someone's there!" Busquets shouted.

Pinto received the ball from Pique on the right side of the penalty area. He was supposed to control the ball and then pass it to Mascherano.

This is his standard procedure.

Upon hearing the warning, he slammed on the brakes and quickly stopped the ball. When he saw Fellaini, he felt a wave of fear wash over him.

Manchester United's pressing was so damn aggressive!

Consequently, Barcelona's entire pace of play was sped up.

Pique has Van Persie on his side, and Mascherano has Fellaini on his side.

To whom should it be sent?

Just as Pinto hesitated, Busquets quickly ran back towards the top of the penalty area to call for the ball.

Watch out behind you!

Pinto had barely finished passing the ball when he immediately issued a warning.

Busquets, being more cautious, noticed Rooney closing in quickly and, not daring to let the ball linger at his feet, passed it back to Pinto.

But the next moment, his heart jumped into his throat.

Rooney, like a gust of wind, swept past Busquets and charged towards Barcelona's penalty area at top speed, heading straight for Pinto.

Pinto, of course, saw it and was also taken aback. He immediately stepped forward to meet the ball, his mind racing.

To whom should it be sent?

Pique is on the right side of the penalty area, where Van Persie is.

The ball was passed forward to Busquets, but Rooney intercepted it.

Pass it to Mascherano on the other side?

Fellaini is nearby.

In a split second, Pinto had no time to hesitate and could only push the ball through the gap to Iniesta near the right sideline in the 30-meter zone.

Just when everyone thought it was safe for the time being, before Iniesta could get the ball, a red figure rushed over at lightning speed, kicked the ball away before he could reach it.

"A successful interception by Manchester United in the attacking third."

"Valencia intercepted the ball and quickly launched a counter-attack."

"Both Van Persie and Rooney have a chance."

"Let's see what Valencia chooses."

"Pass diagonally to the left side of the penalty spot, find Fellaini!"

Fellaini used his body to firmly block Mascherano from behind inside the penalty area.

When the ball comes down, take a step forward, straighten your chest to receive the ball, turn around, and volley it into the air.

The football, like a bolt of lightning, darted into the bottom right corner of the Barcelona goal at incredible speed.

Despite a diving save, goalkeeper Pinto was still out of reach.

"GOALLLLLLLLLLLLLL!!!!!"

"Goal!!"

"Less than six minutes into the game, Manchester United's attacking pressure paid off!"