“Manchester United in a slump, Champions League defeat cannot hide Gao Nuo's brilliance.”
“Gao Nuo rides alone, Ederson sighs in awe.”
“Carragher: Abraham's starting remarks are ridiculous.”
“Gao Nuo slaps Roy Keane, what is the limit of the Chinese star?”
Manchester United legend and D.C. United head coach, Wayne Rooney, publicly stated:
“Roy Keane needs to go to the hospital and get his eyes checked!
Gao Nuo, last season's Premier League Golden Boot winner, averaging a goal per game this season.
What kind of performance does he still need to conquer these demanding experts?”
Roy Keane directly retorted:
“Wayne Rooney, please focus on your own team.
This season, Gao Nuo's position in the team has been very unstable, and he has missed many games. Because of this, I believe he has become complacent and it will be difficult for him to make further progress.
I apologize to Gao Nuo for my past words; his goal against Manchester City was full of fighting spirit.
Please maintain that fighting spirit in the competition for a starting spot with Abraham. A young player's place in the team needs to be earned!
In the upcoming matches, I hope Gao Nuo can perform consistently and help the team go further!”
Stick to what's right, admit mistakes gracefully.
Roy Keane's remarks received unanimous praise from Manchester United fans.
Gao Nuo had no time to pay attention to media information; he fully cooperated with the team doctor to treat the strains in both of his thighs.
The atmosphere in the Manchester United locker room was strange. Rashford and Luke Shaw became taciturn, Bruno Fernandes looked serious every day, and only the optimistic Brazilian remained cheerful and chatty.
Just as the players had calmed down, the media stirred things up again, and complex emotions began to resurface.
Fortunately, everyone was a professional player. With the season entering its final stage, whatever thoughts they had, they had to temporarily put them aside.
On April 13, 2025, in the 33rd round of the Premier League, Manchester United lost 1:2 to Brentford.
Gao Nuo failed to recover within five days and watched the team lose from the bench, feeling a touch of regret.
With only 7 League rounds remaining, this defeat left Manchester United 9 points behind the leader. Facing a consistently performing Manchester City, the chances of winning the title were rapidly diminishing.
For the second leg of the Derby three days later, Erik ten Hag boldly rotated the main squad for this match. Besides the returning Neymar, the ever-present Bruno Fernandes, and the firmly established Nübel, all other positions were filled by substitute players.
Manchester United trailed 0:2 at halftime, with frequent coordination errors among the players. Abraham, caught in a storm of public opinion, performed a “disappearing act” on the field. When he was substituted in the 70th minute, he had only contributed two shots. It was only through Neymar's solo effort, dribbling past three defenders, that Manchester United scored a face-saving goal.
After the match, Erik ten Hag was once again criticized by fans, who expressed their dissatisfaction:
“Rotating the main players is fine, but the team played like crap on the field, so substitutions should always be made, right?”
“Erik ten Hag, leave Manchester United. We need a world-class coach.”
“Erik ten Hag's iron-fisted rule is over. Look at Abraham, I don't understand why he can play.”
“I'm starting to believe that Cristiano Ronaldo's departure three years ago was for the rebuilding of Manchester United. Erik ten Hag handled the locker room issues terribly.”
Putting aside off-field distractions, Manchester United Football Club was fully preparing for the Champions League.
Teams that don't lose won't win trophies. In the training ground, cafeteria, physiotherapy room, locker room, and everywhere with electricity, there was a screen continuously playing Gao Nuo's goal against Manchester City.
Erik ten Hag used this method to stimulate everyone's nerves.
Except for Gao Nuo, who felt a bit embarrassed, everyone else was infected, and the entire Manchester United team was ready for battle.
On April 16, 2025, at Old Trafford, for the Champions League quarter-final second leg, Manchester United vs. Manchester City.
“Hello, dear viewers, it's another 3 AM night. Thank you for staying up. For the second leg of the Manchester City Derby, Zhan Jun and Zhang will be your commentators.”
“Ah, tonight's match is full of highlights. Will Manchester City, with a two-goal lead, advance smoothly, or will Manchester United make a desperate comeback and win? Ah, it all depends on the performance of both sides.”
“That's right, we've received Manchester United's starting lineup before the match, and Gao Nuo, who missed the last game, is back in the squad. This is good news for the audience staying up late tonight.”
“Ah, both sides have fielded their main players. Today's match will definitely be exciting.”
“Alright, we see both teams starting to warm up. No problem, from the footage provided by the director, we see Gao Nuo.”
“Ah, Gao Nuo seems to be in good form. He really is a big-game player. If I'm not mistaken, ah, he has scored in all key matches.”
“Zhang, your statement is a bit opportunistic. You should say that Gao Nuo is currently averaging a goal per game, scoring in every match.”
“Hahaha, that's right, that's right.”
“Alright, let's get straight to it and return to the field. The entrance ceremony is over, and Manchester United kicks off.”
In the 3rd minute of the match, Manchester United won a free-kick in the attacking third. Bruno Fernandes shot directly at goal, and Ederson easily caught the ball with both hands.
In the 7th minute of the match, Rodri and De Bruyne combined with passes, evading Casemiro's press, then a through ball. Haaland gained the upper hand in a challenge with Pau Torres and poked the ball into the Manchester United penalty area. De Bruyne's run was very sudden, and after receiving the ball, he shot at goal.
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Manchester United goalkeeper Nübel, facing such a close-range shot, spread his body as much as possible and blocked the ball with his groin.
Early in the match, Manchester United was forced to make a substitution, with veteran De Gea coming on as a substitute.
In the 18th minute of the match, Gao Nuo's offside trap failed, and Manchester City won a free-kick in their own half. Laporte casually passed the ball towards midfield. Rodri and De Bruyne hadn't taken their positions properly, and the two were somewhat overlapping on the field.
Seeing the ball rolling towards them, both of them paused for a moment. De Bruyne reacted first, stretching his leg to awkwardly pass the ball back to the defense.
Gao Nuo, having been tempered by the Challenge Road, was unparalleled in his speed of getting into game rhythm. He had already been lurking nearby, suddenly accelerating and running ahead to intercept the ball's path.
Without interception, Gao Nuo smoothly kicked the slowly moving ball forward.
Three seconds later, Laporte's turn and chase became a background blur as the red number 9 bypassed him, dribbling the ball towards the goal.
Ederson's charge was useless; Gao Nuo's delicate chip shot found the back of the net.
Running from the goal with the ball in his arms towards the center circle, Gao Nuo waved his other arm, urging the home fans to cheer even louder.
Zhan Jun's face was full of joy, “Manchester City gifted that goal. Laporte's pass was too casual, and the two Manchester City midfield generals' deference led to a big mistake. Gao Nuo's handling of the ball was exquisite. That individual dribble reminded us of Gareth Bale, and the final shot was also magnificent, like Messi possessed him.”
Ever since Zhan Jun declared himself a Gao Nuo fan, his commentary had been full of subjective color, which was not ideal, but it won the support of all viewers.
Manchester United was now trailing by one goal on aggregate, 2:3, and the chances of a comeback were growing.