Chapter 642: Prelude to Ascension
September 19th – UEFA Champions League Group Stage, Matchday 1
Manchester United hosted former Ligue 1 powerhouse Lyon at Old Trafford. This match was critical for United.
Drawn into a tough group, United faced formidable opponents in Lyon, Hoffenheim, and Shakhtar Donetsk. While advancing seemed achievable, it wouldn't be easy. Lyon, a seven-time Ligue 1 champion, boasted strong European experience and undeniable quality. Among their ranks was a familiar face—Memphis Depay.
The Dutch winger, once touted as Cristiano Ronaldo's successor under Louis van Gaal, had been sold to Lyon by United. At Lyon, Depay had flourished, becoming a key player. Now, as he returned to face his former club, he was determined to prove United wrong for letting him go.
Anticipation in the Tunnel
As players lined up in the tunnel, the referee paused upon seeing Bruno Fernandes, nodding slightly in acknowledgment.
The football world knew the FIFA Best Player award was a foregone conclusion. Bruno's previous season was too extraordinary to ignore: leading United to a sextuple, powering Portugal to World Cup glory as their linchpin, and collecting both the Premier League and European Golden Boots. On top of that, he had claimed MVP honors across competitions, including the World Cup.
Even Cristiano Ronaldo, now a reigning Ballon d'Or winner and recognized football king, couldn't rival Bruno's dominance this year.
A Bright Start
From the first whistle, Bruno played with the excitement of someone aware the world was watching. Within six minutes, his sharp instincts created a dangerous opportunity.
Luke Shaw intercepted a ball in United's half and quickly scanned the field. Lyon's left-back, Ferland Mendy, was caught ball-watching, oblivious to the danger unfolding. Shaw seized the moment, launching a long diagonal ball into the space behind Lyon's defense.
Bruno, racing like the wind, surged past Mendy, chesting the ball down in full stride. His control was impeccable, but Jason Denayer reacted swiftly, closing in to block Bruno's path.
The First Booking
Bruno attempted to dribble past Denayer, but the Lyon defender resorted to a tactical foul, bringing Bruno down. The referee didn't hesitate—yellow card.
The resulting free kick saw Bruno whip a dangerous cross into the box. Harry Kane rose highest, but his header skimmed just over the bar. Despite the near miss, Bruno's early contributions were already shaping the match.
A Calculated Strategy
On the touchline, José Mourinho was visibly pleased. Bruno's ability to force Denayer into an early booking gave United a tactical edge. A center-back burdened with a yellow card often hesitates in challenges, providing opportunities for attackers to exploit.
Mourinho chuckled as he exchanged a knowing glance with assistant coach Rui Faria. Bruno had already adjusted United's tactics on the pitch, signaling teammates to target Lyon's vulnerable right flank.
As a result, United's attacking trio of Mbappé, João Cancelo, and Bruno relentlessly pressured Lyon's left side. The visitors were pinned back, struggling to cope.
Building Momentum
In the 21st minute, United's persistent pressure paid off. Rashford sent a clever diagonal pass to Harry Kane, who laid it off for Bruno at the edge of the box. Bruno spotted Cancelo making a surging overlap and threaded a perfectly timed ball to him.
Cancelo drove into the box, pulling Ferland Mendy out of position before cutting the ball back.
Bruno, finding a pocket of space, received the pass. With one fluid motion, he shifted the ball to his left foot, evading Denayer's challenge, and unleashed a thunderous shot into the bottom corner.
(Chapter Ends)
Bruno's brilliance was undeniable, and his influence set the tone for a dominant United performance. With his name on the scoresheet, Old Trafford erupted in cheers, further cementing Bruno's legacy as the team's talisman.
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Chapter 643: A Gift of Honor
"Bruno!!!"
"GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAL!!!"
"21 minutes in, and Manchester United have broken the deadlock against Lyon!"
"What a clean and decisive play this was!"
"United's attack started from the left. Harry Kane headed it on, Mbappé played a quick pass to Bruno, who spread it wide to Cancelo on the right. Cancelo, with perfect chemistry with Bruno, dragged the defenders away before delivering a precise cross to the center."
"Faced with a one-on-one inside the box, Lyon's defender Denayer, already on a yellow card, hesitated and could only watch as Bruno created space and struck the ball into the net!"
The crowd at Old Trafford erupted, chanting Bruno's name. Arms outstretched, Bruno sprinted toward the stands, basking in the adulation of the fans.
This goal seemed effortless, largely thanks to Bruno's movement and positioning, which left Denayer helpless. Of course, Cancelo's perfect assist was also crucial. As teammates rushed to celebrate, Bruno wrapped Cancelo in a jubilant embrace, both soaking in the cheers from the stands.
Frustration in Lyon's Camp
Lyon's head coach, Bruno Génésio, was visibly irritated after Bruno's goal. He quickly adjusted the team's strategy, pulling players deeper to focus on defense. This shift made it harder for United to create further opportunities for the rest of the first half.
Bruno, now under tight marking, found his chances limited, and the score remained 1–0 at halftime.
Second Half: Bruno Strikes Again
After the break, United continued their steady probing of Lyon's defense, particularly targeting the vulnerable Denayer.
In the 53rd minute, Mbappé surged down the right, taking on Ferland Mendy one-on-one. Using his explosive pace, Mbappé cut into the penalty area. With both Mendy and Denayer focused on him, Mbappé cleverly passed the ball back to Bruno, who had positioned himself perfectly.
Bruno received the pass, advanced into the box, and unleashed a powerful right-footed shot, scoring his second goal of the night.
2–0!
This goal gave United a commanding lead, leaving Lyon with no choice but to retreat further into defense. With the Champions League group stage spanning six matches, Lyon's players seemed to focus on damage control, knowing a single loss wouldn't ruin their chances of advancing.
Sealing the Hat-Trick
Bruno, however, was far from done. Just eight minutes after his second goal, he made another decisive play. Receiving a pass from Harry Kane, Bruno charged into the penalty area. Denayer, out of options, brought Bruno down with a desperate tackle.
The referee immediately pointed to the spot and issued Denayer his second yellow card, sending him off.
As United's captain and designated penalty taker, Bruno stepped up. Calm and composed, he converted the penalty with precision, completing his hat-trick and extending United's lead to 3–0.
Six minutes later, Bruno contributed once again, this time with a perfectly timed through ball to Rashford. The young forward's shot took a deflection off a defender, wrong-footing Lyon's goalkeeper and rolling into the net. 4–0!
United maintained this scoreline until the final whistle, securing a dominant victory.
A Special Premier League Match
Following their triumph over Lyon, United faced Wolverhampton Wanderers at Old Trafford in the Premier League's sixth round. The match held special significance as it marked the return of Sir Alex Ferguson to the stadium following his recovery from a serious illness.
Ferguson's resilience and determination to return to Old Trafford after a life-threatening health scare mirrored the "never say die" spirit he instilled in United during his legendary tenure. The players were determined to honor their former manager with a resounding victory.
A Fierce Encounter
The match began with Wolves taking the initiative. In the 6th minute, Raúl Jiménez fired a shot from 12 yards, only for De Gea to block it with his feet. Ten minutes later, Wolves came close again as Boly's header was expertly tipped over the bar by De Gea.
After weathering Wolves' early storm, United found their rhythm. In the 18th minute, Rashford's cross was partially cleared by Coady, only for Bruno to pick up the loose ball and lay it off to Fred. The Brazilian midfielder unleashed a thunderous shot into the bottom corner, scoring his first goal for United.
1–0 to United as the teams headed into halftime.
Wolves Fight Back
Wolves equalized in the 52nd minute when Hélder Costa's cross found Jiménez, who laid it off to João Moutinho. The Portuguese midfielder unleashed a powerful left-footed strike into the top corner, leveling the score at 1–1.
This goal spurred United into action. Bruno, ever the orchestrator, assisted Harry Kane in the 55th minute to restore the lead. Just nine minutes later, he combined with Mbappé to set up Mata, who played a delightful through ball to Rashford. The England forward calmly slotted it home, making it 3–1.
Wolves' coach, Nuno Espírito Santo, tried to turn the tide with substitutions, but United's control of the game was unshakable.
In the 78th minute, Bruno was subbed off to a standing ovation, with Mahrez coming on in his place.
A Victory for Sir Alex
The final whistle confirmed United's 3–1 victory. It was a heartfelt tribute to Sir Alex Ferguson, whose presence inspired the team to deliver a performance worthy of his legacy.
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