A goal boosted Manchester United's morale. Guardiola, on the sidelines, watched Gao Nuo with admiration, silently calculating in his mind.
"This kid is also good; his performance is getting more and more stable. Since Osimhen was intercepted by Liverpool, buying Gao Nuo this summer isn't a bad idea.
Isn't he the second Haaland? Everyone else has one tall and one fast, but then I'll have two tall and two fast. Just thinking about it makes me excited.
Hmm... Let's win this match first. This kid Gao Nuo needs special attention."
In the close-up shot provided by the director, one moment Guardiola was covering his mouth, smiling at who knows what, and the next he suddenly ran to the sidelines, making a series of gestures and shouting at the players to perk up.
Manchester City strengthened their midfield defense, and the pressing area increased again. Gao Nuo was double-teamed.
Manchester United's attacking momentum was suppressed.
In the 35th minute of the match, Rodri made a passing error, and Casemiro intercepted the ball. Manchester United launched a counterattack.
He dribbled while observing his teammates' positions, but the familiar connection didn't appear.
Manchester United's current tactics are very clear: if the center is blocked, then attack from both wings.
Gao Nuo was responsible for attracting the defense upfront, and Rice immediately made a transfer after receiving the pass.
An extremely precise through ball bypassed the defenders, and on the right side of the front field, a red figure surged forward at high speed.
"Behind you! Watch out!" Manchester City's left-back Ake heard De Bruyne's shout and didn't dare to look back, chasing the ball even more vigorously.
Antony's dribbling might not be top-notch, but he could definitely compete in terms of speed. He ran neck and neck with Ake down the right wing.
"Opportunity!" The thought flashed through his mind, and Gao Nuo pushed away Stones, who was tangled with him, and rushed into the penalty area.
Antony overtook Ake, gaining control of the ball first, and dribbled into the penalty area.
"Charge!" Ederson's roar was very timely; his skill in directing the defense was profound.
Manchester City's defense was more aggressive than Manchester United's, with more communication between players.
Laporte didn't hesitate, stepping forward directly to block Antony's path.
Antony slowed down his dribble; he wasn't confident in breaking through the defense and started to look up to observe his teammates' positions.
Gao Nuo was sprinting towards the penalty area, with Stones, who had been pushed away, hot on his heels.
Casemiro was in a central-right position, waiting for the pass.
Bruno… Hmm? The captain is suspended, so there's no one in the attacking midfield position today.
Ake, behind Antony, didn't give him much time to think. In just a few seconds, he had taken up his position and, in coordination with Laporte, began to press.
Just when everyone thought Manchester United's attack had been stopped and the ball would be passed back to midfield, the fully focused Ederson sniffed a hint of danger.
Antony suddenly flicked the ball up, sending a half-volley pass through the air, narrowly skimming past Laporte's hand and flying towards the goal.
Ederson's attention was entirely on Antony. He quickly took a step, wanting to intercept the ball in mid-air.
"Damn it, just a little off. This ball is too far from the goal. Good, according to its trajectory, it should go out for a goal kick."
Ederson's analysis wasn't wrong. Antony had no angle for a shot, and the ball flew towards the byline after passing the goalkeeper.
"Great shot!"
Gao Nuo shouted out, his leg strength fully unleashed. He kicked off the ground violently, throwing himself into the air, extending his left foot as far forward as possible.
The ball, about to go out of bounds, was poked into the goal by a black and red boot.
Everything happened so fast that even the commentator's speaking speed couldn't keep up with the situation; luckily, there was something called a replay.
"Oh my! Manchester United has scored! Gao Nuo delivered an acrobatic goal. Let's watch the replay.
Antony was double-teamed and chose not to pass back, sweeping the ball across the goal. Laporte held back, otherwise, it would have been a penalty. Goalkeeper Ederson didn't touch the ball.
Gao Nuo jumped, Gao Nuo was airborne, his left foot raised high. Beautiful! An unconventional move! Gao Nuo, head down, used his foot to flick the ball into the goal!"
"Haha! Zhan Jun is absolutely right. This goal is like an alley-oop in basketball.
Antony's pass was very fast. If Gao Nuo had attempted a diving header, he most likely wouldn't have made it.
Hey! He's very clever, doing the opposite, head down and feet up. Relying on his long legs, he poked the ball in with the sole of his boot!"
"Holy shit!" At 3:30 AM, exclamations of profanity occasionally echoed from residential areas across China.
The discussion in the live stream was filled with shock.
National Football Team Is A Bit Hard To Criticize: "A god has descended, no arguments accepted!"
Cosmic Galaxy Team: "Say no more, Real Madrid, quickly get out your checkbook!"
Glory Manchester United: "Whatever, wherever Gao Nuo goes, I'll be a fan there!"
Football Babe CC: "Wow wow wow, I saw Gao Nuo's abs! I screenshotted it, so happy."
Do You Like Black Stockings: "Little sister upstairs, big sister counted for you, eight! Perfectly defined!"
LBJ Retired: "Oh my god, I just finished gaming and came to peek, and this is what I see? Is this football or basketball? It's terrifying."
Football Babe CC: "Black Stockings sister, I have Gao Nuo's complete photo collection. Add me as a friend, and I'll share it with you!"
Siberian Nuthatch: "Gao Nuo, my god, you have my deepest respect! These kind of wonder goals are truly a sight to behold!"
Many Manchester City fans defected, also exclaiming: "Gao Nuo is crazy. I'll accept it even if Manchester City loses. Go Gao Nuo!"
Manchester United 2:0 Manchester City, making the aggregate score 3:3.
As the score was equalized, red smoke billowed across the Old Trafford stadium. Shouting was no longer enough to express the excitement. Fans, arm in arm, beamed with satisfied smiles, jumping and singing the Manchester United team anthem.
Gao Nuo, the focus of the entire stadium, after an impassioned two-stripe knee slide, was about to take off his shirt to celebrate but was held back by Rice, who rushed over. There was still a long time left in the match, and getting a yellow card now was too costly.
Gao Nuo didn't mind, facing the stands, raising his hands, and freely enjoying the adoration and cheers.
Erik ten Hag knelt excitedly on the sidelines. If not for his age, he would have loved to do a knee slide celebration himself.
Guardiola covered his face with his hands, his deep-set eyes filled with helplessness. Looking at the excited bald man next to him, he thought, "Such a treasure, and he doesn't even know how to protect him properly, even letting him get caught in public controversy. This bald guy is unreliable!"
Wiping his own bald head, Guardiola shouted at Stones: "John! Mark that kid for me, block his path to the left, don't let him have another chance to shoot!"
Stones had been listening intently, but suddenly his face looked like he had eaten something foul. He turned and walked away, cursing Guardiola in his heart:
"Don't let Gao Nuo shoot? Do you give me that confidence? Do you know how fast he is? And that big elbow, my chest still hurts from it. If you don't switch to a three-man defense in the second half, you're an idiot!"
Fortunately, this was Stones, and his thoughts remained in his mind. If it had been De Bruyne, Guardiola might have had to endure a public scolding.
Haaland stood at the kickoff spot, watching Gao Nuo slowly walk back to midfield, his eyes filled with intense fighting spirit.