Manchester United started 2026 with a bang, performing well in all competitions.
Michael Carrick is somewhat different from Erik ten Hag, rarely discussing championships in front of the media.
What they have in common is that both are leading their teams in the pursuit of championships.
After the January matches, Manchester United remained active on four fronts.
Manchester United reached the English League Cup final.
They advanced to the FA Cup 4th round.
They successfully entered the Champions League knockout stage.
They were at the top of the Premier League table.
Michael Carrick's coaching ability was infinitely magnified by the media; the more doubts he faced when he first took over Manchester United, the more expectations he now receives.
Manchester United fans seemed to see the club completing its rebuilding and returning to its former status as Premier League overlords.
However, entering February 2026, Manchester United's situation took a sharp turn for the worse.
Neymar was the first to suffer; after his starting position became unstable, the 34-year-old Neymar's form declined sharply.
This was somewhat natural, as the free-spirited Neymar spent more time enjoying life.
News from nightclubs always outnumbered news from the pitch; amidst the decadent lifestyle, only Antony solidified his starting position, along with Gao Nuo's sighs.
Not only that, on the first day of February, in Manchester United's 1-2 loss to Arsenal, Neymar was injured off-ball.
After a professional diagnosis, Neymar suffered a ruptured Achilles tendon, ending his season.
Neymar, with only one year left on his contract with Manchester United, had no intention of renewing; whether he would retire or move to a lower League for retirement after his contract ended would depend on his choice.
Neymar's injury was not the fundamental reason for Manchester United's four consecutive losses in February.
Gao Nuo's body was overly fatigued; after Neymar's injury, Gao Nuo also succumbed to injury on the training ground.
With a groin strain, Gao Nuo needed 20 days of rest.
Michael Carrick did not reinforce the forward line in the winter transfer window, leaving Manchester United's attack, without Gao Nuo and Neymar, somewhat stretched.
Although Garnacho showed good form, and Rashford also displayed impressive attacking ability in the center-forward position.
But it was not enough; under the dense schedule, Manchester United suffered successive heavy blows after their 1-2 loss to Arsenal.
On February 5, 2026, Manchester United lost 2-3 away to West Ham United, falling from the top of the Premier League table.
On February 8, 2026, Manchester United lost 1-4 to Leeds United, losing the Rose Derby and exiting the England FA Cup in the 4th round.
On February 14, 2026, Manchester United lost 1-3 away to Chelsea, with Mbappé scoring a hat-trick and achieving his first victory against Manchester United.
On February 21, 2026, Manchester United returned home, but failed to reverse their decline despite the fans' cheers, losing 3-4 to Tottenham Hotspur.
The media's tone shifted once again; before the praise for Michael Carrick had even ended, Manchester United's losing streak sent the new coach back into the eye of the storm.
At the post-match press conference.
Daily Report: "Mr. Carrick, what do you have to say about Manchester United's losing streak?"
Michael Carrick: "The team is going through a difficult period. The hidden dangers brought by the dense schedule are emerging. I need some players in the team to contribute more. Manchester United needs someone to step up now."
Three Days Two Reports: "Mr. Carrick, are the injuries to Neymar and Gao Nuo the main reasons for Manchester United's recent poor performance?"
Michael Carrick: "We are a big team, and injuries are not an excuse for losing, but I have to admit that the injuries to experienced veterans and our future core have brought us considerable trouble."
Factual Report: "Mr. Carrick, regarding the media once again questioning your coaching ability, what do you have to say about this?"
Michael Carrick: "This is Manchester. I work at one of the best clubs in the world, which is inherently a high-profile matter. The media's voice is always changing, but for me and for Manchester United, it's not important. We only have one goal now, and that is to get back on track. This season, there are still many matches awaiting us."
Football Weekly: "Mr. Carrick, Gao Nuo's injury has worried Chinese fans. With such high intensity in training and matches, can Gao Nuo maintain his health in the upcoming games?"
Michael Carrick: "Not just Chinese fans, but more Manchester United fans are now concerned about Gao Nuo's injury. There's some good news: if all goes well, Gao Nuo will return in the next match. Injuries are always inevitable. Not just Gao Nuo, every Manchester United player is receiving the best physiotherapy services. The club, like the fans, places great importance on players' health, and we hope injuries stay away from everyone."
While Michael Carrick was busy dealing with the media.
In Manchester United's physiotherapy room, Gao Nuo was enjoying Lina's massage.
After his groin strain, Gao Nuo had officially started training with the team.
After more than 10 days of rest, plus a few days of recovery training, Gao Nuo was no longer worried about his groin injury.
Compared to the injury, Gao Nuo was more concerned about Lina's situation.
Lina had recently become very cold towards Gao Nuo. Before, even with a minor strain,
Lina would take the opportunity to touch Gao Nuo all over during manual therapy.
But this time, with the groin injury, Gao Nuo had initially worried about an awkward situation with Lina.
However, Lina maintained good professional ethics this time, without a single overstepping move.
While Gao Nuo breathed a sigh of relief, he felt a faint unease in his heart.
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He and Lina would not cross the line, but it had to be said that after being pursued by such a British beauty for so many years, Gao Nuo still considered her a good friend.
Lina's abnormality was finally explained. After the massage, the two had a conversation in a somewhat awkward atmosphere.
"Gao Nuo, I still like you, but I'm going to give up."
"Lina, I'm sorry, but we'll be very good friends."
"No, I'm leaving. I'm going back to my beach, watching the sea, continuing to feel the sea breeze I love, and slowly forgetting all of this."
"Lina, to use an old Chinese saying, you will definitely meet a better person, someone who belongs to you."
Lina looked at Gao Nuo painfully. Love, unknowingly begun, runs deep. The open-minded British girl's persistence in love was touching.
However, all of this would come to an end.
"Gao Nuo, can you come for a drink with me? My resignation procedures are complete. I'm leaving tomorrow."
Gao Nuo agreed to Lina's request. In the evening, the two went to a nightclub in Manchester.
Dim lights, fine wine in the glass, and a beautiful woman in front of him.
Gao Nuo did not refuse Lina's frequent toasts. For all this time, regardless of their relationship, Lina had contributed a lot to Gao Nuo's healthy return, and he was willing to break his rule and drink for her.
The two set aside their complicated relationship, drinking and laughing. Lina reminisced about everything in Manchester, and Gao Nuo wished her a smooth journey.
An hour passed. The two hadn't drunk much, but the heartbroken Lina was already drunk, and Gao Nuo, who usually didn't drink, was also a bit unsteady.
After paying the bill, Gao Nuo helped Lina prepare to leave.
"Oh, what a beautiful girl. Come have a drink with me."
A strong white drunkard grabbed Lina's hand and pulled her into his arms.
"Take your paws off her!"
Gao Nuo slapped away the man's disrespectful hand and stood in front of Lina.
"Where did this yellow-skinned monkey come from? Just because you're a bit tall, you think you're hot stuff? This is England, get lost."
The white drunkard cursed as he stood up, waving for two companions. The three blocked Gao Nuo and Lina's path.
Gao Nuo said nothing more, pushed Lina behind him, turned around, and punched the white drunkard in the face.
A 1-on-3 "boxing match" thus began.
Gao Nuo had no particular fighting style, just one word: "reckless"!
He knocked down the opponent in front of him with one punch. A pain shot through his left shoulder. Gao Nuo turned sideways and kicked out, his left foot powerful, knocking down the white drunkard's first accomplice.
A fist from the right hit Gao Nuo's chest. Gao Nuo staggered back two steps, reached out, grabbed the incoming fist again, pulled hard, and raised his right knee, thrusting it into the abdomen of the second accomplice.
In a flash, Gao Nuo knocked down all three.
The matter did not end so easily. The three on the ground successively got up and continued to wrestle with Gao Nuo.
Gao Nuo had little fighting experience, so he endured the opponents' attacks while counter-attacking.
He would kick after taking a punch, and punch after taking a kick.
The three big white men were strong and had clearly been in many fights.
Gao Nuo's physical fitness was even more formidable, and he knocked the three down again in a head-on confrontation.
Five minutes later, the police finally arrived and took all five away.
It was late at night when they left the police station.
Lina had sobered up. Standing behind Gao Nuo just now, watching this man fight for her, Lina's heart once again burned with passion.
Looking at the injuries on Gao Nuo's face, Lina plucked up the courage for one last confession.
"Gao Nuo, I can be your mistress, no one will know. Whenever you need me, you can come to me."
Gao Nuo's drunkenness had also worn off. He was in pain all over and looked at Lina with a helpless expression upon hearing her words.
"I'm sorry, I consider you a good friend, Lina. You don't have to do this."
Lina reached out and touched Gao Nuo's face, "Why did you protect me? If you liked me even a little, I'd be willing!"
Gao Nuo didn't dodge, looking directly into Lina's eyes, "I just did what a friend should do, Lina. It's time to say goodbye."
A look of disappointment reappeared on Lina's face. She withdrew her hand and smiled.
"Thank you for fighting for me. I will always remember this day."
Lina left.
The video of Gao Nuo fighting was posted online by a "kind person."
The media's attention instantly focused on it.
Gao Nuo, who was just about to make his comeback, became a subject of controversy.
Michael Carrick was at his wit's end.
A fight once again disrupted Manchester United's plans.