On May 13, 2023, Manchester United played an away game against Bournemouth in the 37th round of the English Premier League.
Bournemouth is currently in danger of relegation, and facing Manchester United in this round, the disparity in strength has the home fans deeply worried.
If Manchester United secures all three points, they will prematurely guarantee Champions League qualification, relieving the pressure of the top four battle.
In today's match, Antony started in place of Gao Nuo, and he desperately needed a game to prove his worth.
Also needing to prove himself was Manchester United Captain Harry Maguire; facing a slightly weaker Bournemouth, Erik ten Hag rotated some key players, and Harry Maguire got one of his few starting opportunities. If he still couldn't perform as expected, whether he would appear in Manchester United's lineup next season would be a big question mark.
If nothing unexpected happens, then something unexpected will happen.
In the 9th minute of the match, Manchester United, who had been slow to get into rhythm, paid the price. Bournemouth's left-back Marcos Senesi easily broke into the penalty area and shot, hitting the post. The ball rebounded to Dominic Solanke's feet. De Gea was still on the ground and couldn't get up, while Harry Maguire and Wan-Bissaka, who had actively covered the left side, collided. With no one around, Dominic Solanke easily tapped the ball into an empty net.
Bournemouth led the Red Devils Manchester United 1-0 amidst the thunderous celebrations of the home fans.
Three minutes later, Rashford received a through ball from Eriksen, broke into the penalty area, and calmly slotted it in. As the ball found the bottom right corner of the net, the Referee's whistle blew: Rashford was offside, and the goal was disallowed.
In the 15th minute of the match, Manchester United patiently organized an attack in midfield. Antony suddenly made a forward run, received a pass from Casemiro, and played a cut-back pass to the center. Bruno Fernandes feigned a shot, attracting the defenders' attention while letting the ball run behind him. Malacia, who had surged into the box unmarked, took a curling shot that was just unlucky, with the ball flying past the net and out of bounds.
In the 39th minute of the match, Casemiro again initiated an attack. Malacia delivered a cross from the byline, and Martial, who was making a run in the center, unbelievably hit the defender from point-blank range. Erik ten Hag on the sidelines had already raised his hands, turning his celebration into a head scratch; it was harder to miss that shot than to score it.
At the end of the first half, Erik ten Hag, back in the locker room, was furious, extremely displeased with being one goal down in the first half. He immediately substituted Martial with Wout Weghorst.
After the break, they returned to the field.
In the 51st minute of the match, Manchester United launched a counterattack. Malacia sent an overhead pass to the center, and substitute Wout Weghorst received the ball and advanced. Before the center-back could close him down, he angled a pass into the penalty area. Antony, following up, shot without taking a touch. The ball hit the post and rebounded, then was cleared out of bounds by a defender.
In the 60th minute of the match, Manchester United took a corner kick from the left. Casemiro, lurking in the center, unleashed a powerful shot in the scramble, and the ball once again hit the post and went out for a goal kick. Manchester United truly lacked some luck.
In the 65th minute of the match, Gao Nuo had just replaced Antony and hadn't even broken a sweat when De Gea made a huge mistake.
Bournemouth took a corner kick. De Gea, who rashly rushed out, failed to intercept. In the ensuing scramble, Dominic Solanke shot, and the ball hit Harry Maguire's back, slowly flying towards the goal in a parabolic trajectory. De Gea quickly reacted and ran towards the goal, catching the ball before it crossed the line. Just when he thought the danger was over, the ball inexplicably slipped out of De Gea's hands and rolled over the goal line.
The Referee's whistle blew, and Bournemouth led Manchester United 2-0 at home. The Vitality Stadium instantly became a sea of joy.
Manchester United fans who traveled with the team to cheer them on watched the replay, covering their mouths in disbelief. Erik ten Hag on the sidelines had a ashen face.
De Gea's own goal severely impacted Manchester United's morale. In the next 10 minutes, Bruno Fernandes, who made a passing error, started throwing his hands up again. Harry Maguire's long pass went directly to the goalkeeper, and Rashford slipped before taking a shot.
Seeing the team about to lose its fighting spirit again, just like the 0-7 loss to Liverpool, Gao Nuo got furious.
Have you ever seen a crazy dog that's gone wild?
Have you ever seen a 192cm, 91kg crazy dog that's gone wild?
Gao Nuo, with bloodshot eyes, got the ball on the wing. First, he unreasonabily burst past the full-back, then used a backheel to change direction and evade the covering defensive midfielder. Cutting into the middle, facing the double-teaming of two center-backs, Gao Nuo had no intention of passing. He awkwardly performed a 'roulette' move to dodge one center-back's tackle, then collided with the other center-back. Even after falling, Gao Nuo still stretched out his long legs, trying to pull the ball back to himself.
"Whistle--!" The Referee blew his whistle. The home fans booed loudly, and Manchester United earned a free-kick in the attacking third, in the center.
Gao Nuo, who got up from the ground, was full of fighting spirit. He waved his hands towards the home fans, signaling them to boo even louder.
Casemiro was ignited by Gao Nuo's somewhat irrational display. He stopped Bruno and actively asked to take the free-kick.
In the 78th minute of the match, Casemiro took a direct free-kick from 28 meters out, and the ball flew straight into the top corner. Manchester United pulled a goal back, trailing 1-2 temporarily.
Erik ten Hag on the sidelines clapped and shouted loudly, encouraging the players on the field.
In the 82nd minute of the match, Gao Nuo and Bournemouth's Marcos Senesi clashed. Gao Nuo, shielding the ball near the corner flag, was bear-hugged by Marcos Senesi. Unable to push Gao Nuo away, Marcos Senesi resorted to various small fouls to constantly harass him.
Gao Nuo, who was already somewhat riled up, exploded. He reached back with his left hand, grabbed Marcos Senesi's jersey, and with a fierce lift, pull, and push, Marcos Senesi was flung away, rolling twice on the ground.
The home fans once again booed loudly, and the Referee did not hesitate, immediately showing Gao Nuo a yellow card. Marcos Senesi, lying on the ground, looked at Gao Nuo's back with a bewildered expression; even now, he couldn't figure out how he had been so easily thrown aside.
In the 85th minute of the match, Gao Nuo, amidst the boos from the entire stadium, successfully broke to the byline, but his cross was collected by the goalkeeper.
After injury time, Manchester United couldn't change the score, losing 1-2 to Bournemouth.
Viewers in the live stream watched Gao Nuo walk off the field with his head held high, sending him their best wishes.
Da Ai Gao Nuo: "So passionate, Gao Nuo is so handsome, come on, come on!"
I'm Looking for Foreign Aid for the National Football Team: "Gao Nuo was incredible in this game. If he had come on earlier, they might have won."
Shanghai Old Fan: "This young man has some spirit, very good, very good."
National Football Team Hater for Life: "Look at Gao Nuo, when will the National Football Team be so tough?"
Football Savvy Brother: "Manchester United is just playing with fire. Besides Gao Nuo and Casemiro, everyone else was invisible!"
In an interview, Erik ten Hag once again criticized the team's performance. A reporter mentioned Gao Nuo's confrontation with fans and Marcos Senesi. When asked if Gao Nuo had issues with emotional control, Erik ten Hag angrily retorted to the reporter, "I don't think there's any problem with a professional athlete wanting to win on the field. I'm happy to see young players express their passion on the field. Most importantly, Gao Nuo's actions did not cause any negative consequences."
Gao Nuo's passionate actions not only earned him the full backing of his coach but also won the support of many Manchester United fans. Overnight, sales of Gao Nuo's number 77 jersey soared several times over.