Chapter 660: The Fearsome Manchester United
October 29, 2018—the beginning of a new week, and sports media worldwide were flooded with news about Manchester United.
"50!": The Times' headline was simple yet powerful, praising Manchester United for achieving a monumental record."50 Matches Unbeaten! Manchester United Did It!": The Guardian reviewed how United meticulously built this record, starting from their May 17, 2017, rescheduled Premier League match to the 10th round of the current season.France's L'Équipe praised Bruno Fernandes, calling him the man who ended the era of Messi and Ronaldo dominance. The article subtly hinted that Bruno might soon be crowned the 2018 Ballon d'Or winner.
Ballon d'Or Speculations
Following FIFA's awards ceremony, the football world eagerly awaited the announcement of the Ballon d'Or winner by L'Équipe. Earlier in October, the publication had revealed the 30-player shortlist. Unsurprisingly, Manchester United dominated the nominations, with eight players: Bruno Fernandes, Harry Kane, Kylian Mbappé, Marcus Rashford, N'Golo Kanté, Harry Maguire, Luke Shaw, and David De Gea.
Betting odds heavily favored Bruno Fernandes, who led by a wide margin, solidified further by United's record-breaking achievement. This made L'Équipe's praises for Bruno even more significant, as global audiences speculated about the announcement.
Italy's La Gazzetta dello Sport warned, "AC Milan must beware of this record-breaking Manchester United."
Meanwhile, Spain's Mundo Deportivo took a different angle, questioning if the Premier League's level had dropped, allowing United to reach 50 unbeaten games.
The Next Challenge
November 3, 2018—Dean Court Stadium, Dorset. Bournemouth hosted Manchester United in a highly anticipated Premier League match. All eyes were on the Red Devils, watching to see if they could extend their unbeaten streak.
Despite a midweek Champions League fixture, Mourinho fielded a full-strength lineup. The decision was backed by United's comfortable position in the Champions League group stage, where they led by seven points. With a mere draw against Shakhtar Donetsk in their next match, United could secure early qualification, and potentially the top spot in the group.
Bournemouth's Early Resistance
Bournemouth, this season's dark horse, entered the match with a commendable record: 6 wins, 2 draws, and 2 losses. They stunned United early, with Stanislas assisting Wilson in the 11th minute to give the hosts a 1–0 lead.
United, however, responded in the 35th minute. João Cancelo crossed to Mbappé, whose pinpoint pass found Bruno Fernandes. The captain slotted the ball home from 12 yards, leveling the score at 1–1 with his 12th league goal of the season.
The match seemed destined for a draw. As injury time approached, fans braced for a stalemate that would still extend United's unbeaten streak.
Last-Minute Heroics
In the 92nd minute, Bruno whipped in a cross from the left. Bournemouth defender Nathan Aké misjudged the ball, and Rashford capitalized, chesting it down before firing into the net. United snatched a dramatic 2–1 victory.
The Unyielding Manchester United
This narrow win epitomized the resilience and mental fortitude of Mourinho's Manchester United. It marked their fourth comeback victory in their last five league matches, reinforcing their reputation as a team that never gave up.
Round 7: United trailed West Ham after an Arnautović goal but scored twice in the second half to win.Round 8: Conceding two early goals against Newcastle, United rallied in the second half with a Bruno brace and a Rashford winner.Round 10: Their unforgettable 4–3 comeback against Everton saw United overcome three deficits.
Including a Champions League comeback win against Hoffenheim, United had become synonymous with dramatic turnarounds.
This ability to fight back from the brink highlighted United's greatest strength: an unbreakable spirit in the face of adversity. It's this resilience that separates great teams from legendary ones.
Eyes on the Derby
Having extended their unbeaten streak to 51 matches, United shifted focus to an upcoming Champions League match against Shakhtar Donetsk. Mourinho, aware of the looming Manchester Derby, opted for heavy squad rotation.
The Premier League title race was heating up. Despite United's record, the league table remained tight:
Manchester United: 10 wins, 1 draw (31 points).Manchester City: Undefeated with 9 wins, 2 draws, boasting the league's best attack (33 goals) and defense (4 conceded).Liverpool: 8 wins, 3 draws, with a solid attack (21 goals) and defense (5 conceded).
Defensively, United lagged, having conceded 15 goals in 11 matches—more than any team in the top seven. This defensive fragility made the Manchester Derby an even greater test for Mourinho's men.
Bruno Fernandes, as ever, remained United's beacon of hope. Tireless and inspiring, he donned the captain's armband once more, leading United into their next battle.
...
In the first leg at home, Shakhtar Donetsk had managed to score first, though Manchester United ultimately staged a comeback. That initial success gave Shakhtar hope that they could compete with United, especially with this game seeing Mourinho rotate 10 out of 11 starting players. However, what awaited them at Old Trafford turned into a nightmare.
The Match Begins
In the first minute, Manchester United won a penalty. Youngster Mason Greenwood, making his Champions League debut, charged down the right wing at high speed. He outmaneuvered Shakhtar's left-back with a sharp cut inside and continued advancing.
Shakhtar's center-back Yaroslav Rakitskiy couldn't stop Greenwood and instinctively grabbed him, pulling him to the ground inside the box.
The referee immediately blew the whistle, pointed to the penalty spot, and walked towards Rakitskiy, issuing a red card!
The Reactions
Commentators were quick to react:
"Penalty! Penalty and a red card! Just one minute in, and Shakhtar are in serious trouble!" shouted He Wei."Red card and penalty! Rakitskiy's foul was foolish. This is the perfect start for Manchester United," exclaimed Andy Gray."The referee made the correct decision. Rakitskiy was the last defender, and the foul occurred inside the box. A penalty and a red card are the right calls," affirmed Martin Tyler.
Shakhtar players surrounded the referee, protesting the decision. While they reluctantly accepted the penalty, they argued that the red card was excessively harsh. On the other hand, Manchester United players celebrated their dream start.
Bruno Fernandes Converts
Bruno Fernandes stepped up to take the penalty. With his usual calm demeanor, he sent Shakhtar goalkeeper Pyatov the wrong way and slotted the ball into the net.
"GOOOOOOOOOOOOOALLLLLLL!"
"1–0! Bruno Fernandes converts, and Manchester United take an early lead against Shakhtar Donetsk!"
Shakhtar's Gamble
Surprisingly, after Rakitskiy's dismissal, Shakhtar didn't make any substitutions. They decided to continue with a makeshift three-man defense.
"Are they sticking with three defenders?" Faria wondered aloud."It seems so," Mourinho nodded.
Mourinho, while familiar with three-back systems, rarely employed them himself, favoring a more defensively secure approach. He noted that Shakhtar's improvised formation was more of a necessity than a strategy, leaving their defensive line exposed.
Dominance and Frustration
Manchester United dominated possession, but Mourinho remained unsatisfied.
"We're up a man, yet it's been over 20 minutes, and we haven't extended the lead. No wonder the boss isn't happy," Ander Herrera explained to his teammates.
Knowing Mourinho's high standards, the players ramped up their intensity.
The Second Goal
In the 31st minute, United's relentless pressure finally broke Shakhtar's defense.
Herrera intercepted the ball in midfield and passed it to Mahrez on the wing.Mahrez drew defenders before passing to Greenwood, who cut inside. Shakhtar's remaining defenders hesitated, fearing a penalty, and Greenwood exploited this to enter the box.Greenwood's curling shot was saved by Pyatov, but Bruno was quick to retrieve the ball and cross it back into the box.McTominay's attempt was blocked, but Bruno, ever alert, flicked the ball towards Mahrez.
Mahrez controlled the ball, feinted past Pyatov, and calmly slotted it into the net.
"GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOALLLLLLL!"
"Riyad Mahrez scores! Manchester United lead 2–0!"
A Commanding Performance
With a two-goal cushion and a one-man advantage, United controlled the match effortlessly. Mourinho, however, stayed focused on the sidelines, constantly analyzing and preparing for future challenges.
Shakhtar, down to ten men, had no answers to United's relentless attacks.
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