Chapter 482: The Start of a New Season
On the afternoon of August 13, 2017, at 4 PM, Manchester United hosted West Ham United at Old Trafford for the first round of the Premier League season.
The two teams had a significant disparity in strength, and with United playing at home, defeating West Ham should not have been too challenging. However, everyone still felt uneasy.
The first match of the season is always tricky; neither team has yet found their rhythm, and surprises are not uncommon.
In the first match of this round, Arsenal almost suffered a shocking upset at home. Leicester City led Arsenal twice in the game, and it was only through late goals from Ramsey and Giroud that the Gunners managed to overturn the deficit and beat Leicester City.
Liverpool, playing soon after, were not as fortunate. They conceded a goal in the final moments of stoppage time, resulting in a 3-3 draw away at Watford.
Compared to Liverpool, who had a lucky escape, Chelsea had a worse fate. Despite their extensive summer signings, they fell 3-2 to Burnley at Stamford Bridge. Captain Gary Cahill was sent off in the 14th minute, causing Chelsea to collapse in the first half, conceding three goals. This was the first time in Premier League history that Chelsea were three goals down at half-time at home. Despite a spirited second-half comeback, they still lost 2-3. To add insult to injury, Chelsea also saw midfielder Cesc Fabregas sent off in the 81st minute with a second yellow card.
...
Would Manchester United fall into the same trap as Liverpool and Chelsea?
Could Bruno, who had been in sensational form last season, continue his excellent performance?
All these questions would begin to unfold from this match.
Mourinho set up his team in a 4-3-3 formation.
De Gea was in goal, with Valencia, Phil Jones, Maguire, and Blind forming the backline. Smalling was left out of the squad after picking up a slight injury in the European Super Cup against Real Madrid, with Phil Jones replacing him.
The midfield trio comprised Gundogan, Kante, and Mata, while the forward line included Rashford, McTominay, and Bruno.
Mourinho continued to deploy Bruno as a forward, but even so, United were still short-handed up front. Lingard was also dealing with some physical issues, and the medical staff advised him to rest.
With no other options, Mourinho had to use the young McTominay as a makeshift striker. Standing over 1.90 meters tall, McTominay had played as a forward in his early years. However, after joining United's youth academy under then-youth coach Warren Joyce, he was converted into a midfielder.
Now, with the team desperately short of forwards, Mourinho had no choice but to revert McTominay to his old position.
Mourinho also urged the transfer team to expedite the signings of Harry Kane and Mbappe to address the forward crisis.
...
West Ham United's coach, Slaven Bilic, was not new to the Premier League and understood the importance of the season opener. He knew Manchester United's game plan and set his team up cautiously with a 4-2-3-1 formation, determined to play on the counter.
Manchester United pressed forward aggressively, with the tall McTominay as the target man, putting immense pressure on West Ham's defense.
Rashford and Bruno operated on the wings, while Gundogan, Kante, and Mata pushed forward from midfield.
From the start, United implemented a high press, aiming to secure an early advantage over West Ham.
However, West Ham's defense held firm initially, organizing themselves well at the back.
Bruno's form was visibly improving, more active than in the European Super Cup.
In the 18th minute, Bruno made a strong run down the right and crossed into the box, but West Ham center-back Ogbonna cleared it out, giving United a throw-in near the right corner flag.
"I'll take it!" Valencia sprinted forward, signaling to take the throw-in.
Bruno, who initially wanted to take a quick throw-in, saw that West Ham had already reorganized their defense and handed the ball to Valencia, moving back into the field.
West Ham's defenders were on high alert, blocking all of Valencia's throw-in angles, and even in the box, they were wary of a direct throw.
Five West Ham defenders crowded the right side, while United had only three attacking players in the area, including Valencia.
...
Bruno was being closely marked but kept moving to create space and signal to Valencia.
Having played together for a year, Bruno and Valencia had developed a good understanding.
As Valencia was about to throw the ball, Bruno made a sudden stop and turned, evading his marker Masuaku and receiving Valencia's throw-in.
Masuaku, who had been closely marking Bruno, was caught off guard by the quick turn and move.
The nimble and speedy Bruno, like a slippery eel, was difficult to mark. However, Masuaku quickly recovered and pressured Bruno from behind, aiming to prevent him from turning.
Bruno, aware of Masuaku's intention, shielded the ball and passed it back to Valencia before sprinting forward.
With Masuaku now marking Valencia, another West Ham player had to pick up Bruno, creating a brief gap in their defense.
Bruno sprinted towards the byline, and Valencia, understanding the move, chipped the ball forward.
Bruno controlled the ball and pushed past Ogbonna into the box.
The improved physicality of Bruno was evident as he held off the bigger Ogbonna, maintaining possession.
Using Ogbonna's pressure against him, Bruno accelerated and broke free, charging into the box.
Reid, the other center-back, rushed over to cover.
Bruno, driving along the byline, kept an eye on the situation around him.
West Ham's goalkeeper, Joe Hart, was known for his occasional lapses in concentration, which had led Guardiola to let him go.
Hart crouched low, covering the near post, ready to make a save, but Bruno noticed an opening above Hart's head.
Seeing this gap, Bruno decided against further dribbling and instead took a direct shot from a tight angle.
Everyone, including Hart, was caught off guard as the ball flew over Hart's head and into the net off the far post.
"GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAL!!"
"In the 18th minute, Manchester United take the lead through a near-impossible angle from Bruno!"
"Oh my God, this has to be one of the most spectacular goals of this Premier League round!"
"Bruno, after a quick one-two with Valencia, cut inside and unleashed a stunning shot from a zero angle, leaving everyone in awe!"
...
After scoring, Bruno ran out of the field, leaped over the advertising boards, and slid to a stop in front of the cheering fans with arms outstretched.
Seventy thousand fans screamed his name.
"West Ham's defense was solid, but United's attacking intent was clear from the start. They have pressed West Ham back, forcing them into mistakes."
"Bruno's goal was exceptional, showcasing his individual brilliance and ability to exploit defensive gaps."
"It's clear that Bruno is regaining his form quickly. We can expect to see the unstoppable Bruno very soon!"
(End of Chapter)
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