Chapter 483: The New Captain
Amid the roaring cheers of the crowd, Manchester United players surrounded Bruno, celebrating his goal. This was United's first league goal of the new season, making it quite memorable.
Mata grabbed Bruno around the neck, playfully complaining, "I raised my hand, why didn't you pass to me?"
Bruno laughed heartily, "I saw you, and you were in a good position. I was going to pass, but I felt more confident taking the shot myself."
After all, the ball was already in the net—who could argue about confidence after a zero-angle goal?
Mata felt a mix of frustration and admiration. "Zero angle...more confident?"
He was on the verge of exasperation, feeling his position was clearly better.
Bruno chuckled, putting his arm around Mata's shoulder, and glanced at West Ham's goal where Joe Hart stood looking dismayed. Bruno silently sympathized with him.
Joe Hart, who had guarded Manchester City's goal during their rise, had faced many spectacular goals in his career. As a two-time Premier League champion and four-time Premier League Golden Glove winner, Hart was undoubtedly a successful goalkeeper. Yet, people often remembered the stunning goals he conceded, from Rooney's and Ibrahimović's overhead kicks to other acrobatic strikes.
Today, Hart's list of notable goals conceded had to add Bruno's zero-angle shot.
...
After high-fiving his teammates, Bruno signaled them to get ready for the restart. One goal wasn't enough for Bruno. He wanted United to not only win but win convincingly to ensure Mourinho would stick with this attacking style.
Bruno knew Mourinho was a stubborn coach, often leading to the "third-year syndrome" where things would go awry. However, Bruno had a great first season under Mourinho, with the team achieving remarkable results.
Historically, Mourinho's second year at a club was his most successful. This season, Bruno aimed for Champions League glory. He hoped this new approach could change Mourinho's fate.
...
After Bruno's first goal broke the deadlock, the game opened up. Just five minutes later, Bruno combined with Valencia on the right, creating another chance. Valencia crossed to the edge of the box, and Mata slotted it home with a swift strike.
2-0!
West Ham, demoralized by conceding twice, struggled to cope. Despite Bilic's efforts, United was relentless.
In the 19th minute, after Kante intercepted a pass and launched a long ball to McTominay, the young striker headed it on to Bruno. Bruno raced past the defenders, rounded the keeper, and scored, making it 3-0 with his second goal of the match.
Then, in the 29th minute, a combination between Mata and Rashford on the left led to Rashford's goal, making it 4-0.
West Ham was utterly stunned. Even after easing their pace with a comfortable lead, United managed another goal before halftime. Valencia's cross found McTominay, who headed it in from close range.
5-0!
United entered halftime with a five-goal lead, ensuring victory was almost certain.
In the second half, United controlled possession, not pushing too hard but maintaining dominance. West Ham had no answer.
The match ended 5-0, with United starting the season atop the Premier League table. Huddersfield Town, a newly promoted team, was second after a 3-0 away win against Crystal Palace. Manchester City and Tottenham, both winning 2-0, followed closely.
...
There was a week between the first and second rounds. United had a day off after the match and a half-day off on Friday morning.
Bruno, however, chose to stay at the club and train. He knew his form was rapidly improving and didn't feel the need to rest.
On Friday afternoon, all the players returned to Carrington for training.
After the session, Mourinho called a meeting, announcing that Carrick would join his coaching staff. This season, Carrick would serve as a player-coach.
Carrick decided to step down as captain to focus on his new role.
This meant United needed a new captain.
Choosing a captain is a big deal in the locker room. Carrick was a qualified and dedicated captain, but with his transition to a coaching role, he wouldn't play as much. While he still had the player title, he was effectively an assistant coach.
Without Carrick, who would be the right fit?
Many teams prefer captains who are homegrown talents, embodying the club's spirit. However, United's current homegrown players—Rashford, Lingard, and McTominay—were still too young and inexperienced for such a significant role.
...
If homegrown players were not an option, seniority and respect within the squad became critical factors.
By these measures, vice-captain Valencia was a prime candidate. Having joined United in 2009, he was the longest-serving player in the squad, predating Smalling, De Gea, and Ashley Young.
Valencia's steady personality and veteran status made him a respected figure in the locker room. However, at 32, he was no longer a guaranteed starter. With Cancelo's arrival, his playing time might further diminish, making him a potential transitional captain rather than a long-term solution.
Other options like Smalling, Young, and De Gea also had their respective issues, making them less ideal.
Many felt Bruno was suitable. As the team's star player with a fighting spirit, he inspired those around him. But at 23, and with just one year at the club, he lacked the necessary seniority.
...
With the next match on Saturday noon, Friday's training focused on tactics. United's second-round opponents, Swansea, were not particularly strong, having barely avoided relegation last season. Thus, the atmosphere in training was relaxed.
As usual, the team stayed in a hotel the night before the game. Bruno, now an experienced player, was well-prepared and didn't need to return home.
He trained until dusk, then headed to the locker room to shower and change.
As he was leaving, he saw Carrick waiting outside. Carrick smiled, "I knew you'd still be here. Let me drive you to the hotel."
Bruno nodded, appreciating the gesture, and joined Carrick in the car.
United's hotel was in Manchester city center, a convenient four kilometers from Old Trafford.
Bruno sensed Carrick had something to discuss.
Sure enough, once in the car, Carrick started, "This afternoon, we had another meeting with the technical team about selecting the new captain."
Bruno listened, aware he was a candidate.
...
Earlier, when Carrick stepped down, several teammates, including Kante, Maguire, and Gundogan, suggested Bruno should strive for the captaincy. Bruno had his reasons for hesitating.
"The technical team and coaching staff favor you as the captain," Carrick revealed.
Bruno shook his head, "I don't think I have enough experience."
At 23, and with just a year at the club, Bruno felt he wasn't ready. Captaincy required more than good performance; it needed seniority and leadership, areas where he was still growing.
Bruno's primary goal was team unity and success in the Champions League. If striving for the captaincy disrupted team harmony, it wasn't worth it.
Carrick smiled, "We all know that's your only weak point. But honestly, we believe no one is better suited than you right now. Tonight, we'll have a vote."
Bruno nodded. A team vote was the fairest approach. He was prepared to support whoever the team chose, even if it wasn't him.
Carrick advised, "During the vote, stay calm and observe."
Bruno agreed. If the team chose Valencia or another player, he would fully support them.
His focus remained on maintaining team unity and aiming for top performance in the Champions League, which he hoped would propel him towards the Ballon d'Or and FIFA World Player of the Year.
...
Upon arriving at the hotel, Carrick dropped Bruno off and headed to park. Bruno went to his room, where Cancelo was already waiting. Since joining United, Cancelo had become Bruno's roommate, as Mourinho hoped Bruno would help him settle in.
Soon, Valencia came to summon Bruno and Cancelo for a meeting, likely about the captaincy vote.
This would be United's second captaincy vote of the season. After Rooney's departure, Carrick had been elected captain, but now with his new role, another vote was needed.
...
The meeting proceeded smoothly. Mourinho announced the vote, with players speculating whether Bruno or Valencia would emerge as captain.
Surprisingly, Valencia stood up, and instead of nominating himself, he endorsed Bruno for captaincy, pledging his full support.
Valencia's unexpected move stunned everyone. With Valencia's endorsement, Bruno's election was almost assured.
Senior players like Smalling, Young, and De Gea also expressed their support for Bruno.
With the veterans' backing, players like Maguire, Kante, and Cancelo followed suit. The vote concluded with Bruno being unanimously elected as United's new captain.
After the meeting, Valencia told Bruno he never intended to compete for the captaincy.
Bruno replied he hadn't planned to either.
Valencia sincerely said, "We all believe you're the best choice. I'm getting older and might not be here much longer. You represent the future. For United to return to the top, we need a long-term plan, and you are the right person to lead."
(End of Chapter)
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