Chapter 251: You're not going to let up the pace, are you?

Mourinho stood in the technical area, his expression stern.

As early as last season, he had been closely monitoring Li Kang's performance in matches.

It's a pity he never managed to bring him to Stamford Bridge.

If Chelsea had him...

"This kid is deliberately slowing the tempo... probing the variations in our defensive line's spacing."

"Just like that guy Guardiola when he was young."

Time seemed to have returned to Nou Camp over twenty years ago.

Barcelona had a rebellious, hot-headed assistant coach who often got into fights with opposing players or coaches.

Enrique, Bilanov, and Guardiola always rushed to the sidelines first during dead-ball situations to break up fights...

Busquets' father would take the opportunity to take off his gloves and throw a black punch.

Head coach Van Gaal would grab the fourth official, spitting flecks of saliva.

On the stands, the thick-haired Ten Hag... would advise Cruyff to control his emotions.

On the stands.

Ferguson was calm and leisurely chewing gum.

He of course still remembered Arsenal's number 10.

In last season's Champions League qualifier, it was that kid who broke Manchester United.

Nowadays, unlike before, his hands no longer tremble.

The Red Devils, having signed multiple strong reinforcements, are about to use this match's tactical overhaul storm to let all supporters regain confidence.

Yun Bu played very easily.

He observed Li Kang's every move on the pitch, but couldn't muster much interest.

Is he a genius midfielder of a different type from Zidane, Pirlo, and Xavi?

Over the years, Zlatan has wandered among the giants of the five major leagues, crossing paths with countless stars.

"The referee Atkinson really enjoys the slow-paced buildup; as of the 2016/17 season, he's been nicknamed the Heaven's Curse, the Red Devils' bane, Liverpool's twelfth opponent, and Wenger's heart-demon."

"He also once exchanged blows with another renowned referee, Clattenburg, during a match."

"Martial elbowed Cazorla a bit; it probably wasn't intentional."

"Zakka quickly exacted revenge, accidentally sliding into... Pogba!"

"The referee gave no indication; the loose enforcement standard destined this to be a smooth-paced Premier League match!"

Time passed unnoticed amidst the chorus of boos and cheers.

Arsenal firmly possessed the ball, yet struggled to advance into Manchester United's dangerous zone.

Li Kang's positioning and passing appeared very patient.

Nobody restricted him.

Nobody pressed or forced him, deliberately altering his passing position.

Moreover, nobody blocked his peripheral vision.

But the Manchester United coaching staff had done their homework thoroughly; the three defensive lines maintained neat, synchronized movement, strangling his medium- to long-range passes.

The scene felt rather dull.

Li Kang had done this kind of test paper before, but in the details he had to consider the differences in the opposing players' traits, probe each defensive line's weak side, and balance his team's attacking and defensive resources.

Defensive resources?

Because the attacking desires of Mustafi and Maguire on the back line are extremely strong, as they play they can't help wanting to burst through the middle... frightening Bellerín and Monreal on the flanks, making them a bit uneasy, not daring to push forward too deep.

But it's all right.

These two defenders occasionally venturing forward also increased the midfield numerical advantage, allowing Arsenal, even after losing possession, to quickly launch a counter-press.

And Manchester United, in order to maintain the structure of its three defensive lines, finds it hard to quickly widen its attacking width at the outset of a counterattack.

In the first fifteen minutes of the match, neither side could do anything to the other.

How to put it?

Both sides' overall strategic tendency is conservative yet with a hint of unrestrained abandon.

Dead-ball situation.

Wenger called Maguire and Mustafi to his side.

"You may appropriately join the attack by pushing forward; watch Li's hand signals."

"But no matter the circumstances, one person must remain stationed in the high defensive line."

The two centre-backs nodded seriously.

Especially Maguire, whose expression showed he was eager to move.

Match minute 18.

Manchester United's half, the 40-meter zone.

After receiving the ball, Cazorla made a deliberate pause, attracting the pressing of Yun Bu and Martial.

The two-footed maestro's distribution speed is quick, his vision broad.

With a slap.

The ball whipped past Martial's flank and went to Li Kang, who had run into space.

Pogba immediately turned and retreated to support the second defensive line.

At the same time.

Manchester United's first defensive line now consisted only of the hapless Lingard.

"How come Pogba's defensive awareness is so much stronger than before? He used to play so lazily at Juventus."

His timely withdrawal strengthened the interception thickness ahead of the defensive line, making it hard for Arsenal to speed up and advance.

As the axis of attack and defense, Manchester United's hundred‑million signing was worth it!

Li Kang wasn't in a hurry, slowly organizing, huh? Xi... brilliant!

In God's perspective.

Sanchez was wildly shuttling on the left flank.

Morata hovered between Manchester United's two centre‑backs, restless and eager to strike.

Xiao Laohu pulled back slightly, creating space for a sprint.

The Gunners' front line is also top‑notch in Europe.

Li Kang suddenly realized he didn't need to be involved in every moment of breaking the deadlock the whole time, as he was during his Lewokusen period.

No need to slowly dismantle like before, pulling the silk from the cocoon.

Nor need to forcibly combine playmaking and finishing.

The legendary 'Bullet Time' module doesn't need to be activated.

He just needs to directly probe Manchester United's last defensive line in the thirty‑meter zone.

Leave the rest to those top‑notch teammates.

Boom!

The ball lifted off the ground.

Above Old Trafford, it traced a rainbow‑like, exquisite arc.

De Gea's pupils contracted, he stepped back two steps, raised his hand to indicate the approximate landing spot, signaling teammates to quickly cover.

Back at the club, his sense of danger is very keen.

Unfortunately, Morata's sense of smell is just as sharp.

The Spanish striker suddenly burst forth, shaking off Bailly and Smalling.

At the same time.

The linesman tightly pressed down the flag and moved quickly.

No offside!

The lead given was huge!

Only Luke Shaw kept up with Morata!

The left side of Manchester United's penalty area.

Morata easily shoved aside the young Luke Shaw with his butt.

How explosive is this Manchester United youngster's talent?

At age eight, Wenger took notice of him, but he chose to go farther from home to Southampton.

At fifteen he joined the first team.

At seventeen he was selected for the Premier League Best XI.

At nineteen, with a transfer fee of 38 million euros, he broke the record for highest transfer fee for a player under twenty… leaving Southampton to join Manchester United.

Van Gaal was very far‑sighted.

What is Luke Shaw's only shortcoming at this point? His poor relationship with Mourinho.

Yes.

After less than two months together, they had already generated friction.

By the pitch.

Mourinho roared loudly.

He couldn't accept his defender being knocked over by Morata's fart!

On the other side.

Wenger and Boerde excitedly ran out of the coaching box.

Too simple.

A midfield core with broad vision, exquisite long passes, extraordinary awareness, and terrifying football IQ, if paired with a competent all‑round striker above the baseline, could directly solve the problem!

Morata dribbled into the penalty area!

Manchester United's defensive line couldn't retract in time! Luke Shaw rose quickly and gave chase again.

Is this goal?

Boom!

Morata unleashed an explosive shot!

De Gea's diving side‑block sealed the near corner!

As long as it's not facing Li's shot… he's not at all nervous.

Related studies show that Manchester United's goalkeeper has the fastest reaction arc on the planet at 0.18 seconds, comparable to lightning.

This isn't just empty bragging.

It is the conclusion reached by a group of mathematicians based on the distance between ball and goal, running speed, combined with De Gea's blocking time and save height.

At Old Trafford, tens of thousands of spectators held their breath, watching the showdown between the two Spanish young stars!

But the ball didn't rocket toward the near corner as expected!

As if mis‑kicked, it drifted off course.

Smallings experienced, positioning sound, as if he had anticipated it, ready to clear the ball!

Once the junior partner of Vidic and Ferdinand, he has become Manchester United's stalwart starting centre‑back...

Smack!

It smashed heavily onto his knee, and the deflection leapt toward the center of the goal.

The whole crowd was dumbfounded.

Manchester United fans' hearts... gave a tug.

Arsenal fans were overjoyed.

Watching the football barely cross the goal line.

In the flash of lightning and sparks.

De Gea once again became the savior.

He displayed that unparalleled reaction arc and thigh flexibility.

Bang!

The pink football boots forcibly blocked the ball out!

"Thrilling!"

"Red Devil goalkeeper!"

"De Gea, in the moment of diving sideways, used his foot to block this deflection."

"The savior of Old Trafford."

"Just a little bit more and it would have been an own goal."

"Not only do we have to defend against opponents, but also against teammates!"

"In the last round of last season's league, it was Smoling's own goal that let De Gea miss the Premier League Golden Gloves, just missing that one ball!"

"Also, in the FA Cup semi-final of last season, Smoling also scored an own goal... De Gea suffered greatly."

"Guarding day and night, yet thieves at home are hard to prevent!"

De Gea's temper is still good for now; after getting up, he told teammates not to waste time apologizing, quickly stabilize their positions, and prepare to welcome Arsenal's second wave of attack.

At the edge of the field.

Mourinho angrily picked up a box of bottled water and slammed it hard onto the turf.

He finally could feel Van Gaal's bitterness.

The other side.

Wenger stroked his chin, falling into thought.

"Ceich will retire in a year or two; we can save some money and buy De Gea back."

Li Kang raised his hand, pointing toward where the ball was cleared... signaling the nearest Walcott to receive the ball.

He didn't expect that just one probe would reveal the weak side of Manchester United's back line: Luke Shaw seems not to fit the low-position defensive system.

According to normal thinking, we just need to reorganize...

God's perspective is a bit off.

Suddenly.

A figure over two hundred catties rushed past!

Maguire!

This guy, while running, can still raise his hand to express that he understood Li Kang's gesture?

Arsenal's coaching bench is a bit dumbfounded.

Wenger is a bit doubtful whether he gave the players too much freedom.

Walcott was startled, quickly making way.

"Harry Maguire!"

"He debuted upon joining Arsenal."

"His attacking desire is strong!"

"His trait is that his speed is a bit slow..."

"Huh?"

"Directly dribble to launch an advance?"

Red Devil players were a bit caught off guard.

The two-hundred-catty forehead fiercely plunged into Manchester United's second line of defense.

Carrick, Pogba, and Herrera quickly closed in.

An unexpected scene came into being!

Maguire, this colossus... instantly displayed explosive power unfit for his hulking build!

While accelerating, he changed direction to get past.

Dodging and weaving.

Manchester United's defense... like facing a formidable foe: really, not even a single feint when dribbling.

Strange.

How come this center-back's defensive speed is so slow... yet his attacking speed is so fast?

"He got past!"

"Maguire actually got past!"

"Facing the final obstacle—Bailly!"

"How to deal with it!"

Bailly is very calm; he's a top-tier center-back, not allowing himself to be beaten by an opponent's center-back.

Straining to gaze into Maguire's eyes.

Controlling the center of gravity...

At the moment the opponent sank his shoulder.

Baili still didn't move: it must be a feint.

Immediately after.

Maguire forcibly squeezed past from his side.

Old Trafford erupted with a tsunami-like roar.

EPSN live stream.

The barrage flooded the screen.

-【What's a dribbling-type defender?】

-【Awesome!】

-【Maguire during his Hull City days had a highlight moment of beating four in a row!】

-【He just understood Li Mingdeng's gesture before making a forward run; Arsenal this season won't fear an injury wave, right? The bench is deep!】

De Gea recognized Arsenal's big-headed center back.

This not-so-smart guy... even when he was at Hull City, he had broken through the goal he was guarding.

Don't panic.

As long as the opponent isn't Li... everyone else is nothing to fear.

Bang!

Maguire fired a powerful shot with one foot.

The ball spun violently, screaming toward the upper right corner of Manchester United's goal.

De Gea's posture had already stretched out in midair the moment the opponent's shot touched the ball.

His platinum gloves securely caught the ball.

"Arsenal's wave-like offensive!"

"The most promising center-back in England's household register!"

"Excellent!"

"De Gea again and again resolved the danger."

"Counterattack!"

"The Red Devils' counterattack!"

The Arsenal fans' cheers came to an abrupt halt.

We're doomed.

Looking down at the pitch, our half was completely empty.

This is the hidden danger left by Maguire's forward run!

Can Mustafi hold it alone?

Mourinho is known not just for relying on defense.

There's also the counterattack.

He laid the foundation for the distinct counterattack storms of the three giants Real Madrid, Inter Milan, and Chelsea.

"De Gea's throw didn't go directly forward."

"Instead, he found Blind on the flank, a very safe spot with no Arsenal players nearby!"

"Manchester United's counterattack has great depth!"

"Depending on the players' traits, Mourinho pursues more stability in long-ball counterattacks."

Blind's pass is very fierce.

In the 2014 World Cup match where the Netherlands slaughtered Spain, he delivered the divine assist for Van Persie's 'fish leap header'.

He undoubtedly became the first outlet for Manchester United's counterattack.

Smack!

The ball traced an arc in midair.

The ball speed is very fast.

The arc is very small.

A essential divine skill in counterattack fast breaks.

He precisely found Yinbu near the midfield circle!

You want the 35-year-old Swedish striker to go on a rampage?

It's not impossible.

But in Manchester United's counterattack strategy, there's a better option.

Yinbu.

Just a pivot.

Right.

This super striker who brings his own system can not only activate all attacking players in positional play,

but in counterattacks he also willingly follows tactical arrangements.

It seems there's nothing he can't do...

His burly physique held off Zakha.

Before Cazorla could provide cover.

Leapt high!

"Terrifying back-to-goal ability!"

A light rub!

Yin Bu completed the fulcrum task in the counterattack!

The ball was laid off to the forty-meter zone in Arsenal's half.

Lin Jiade!

Manchester United counterattacked into Arsenal's half... the whole process took only 9 seconds.

The camera pulled back.

The Gunners players quickly tracked back.

The Red Devils players frantically sprinted.

Maxia'er pulled Musitafei away.

Lin Jiade trapped, carried forward, and shook off Mengleia'er in one move.

The fans' joys and sorrows of both sides swiftly changed.

At that moment, in Arsenal's half, every sound was alarming.

Premier League Yinniesita!

Great British Star!

One-on-one!

Youngster Lin Jiade!

The hero who helped Manchester United win the FA Cup!

He might already be thinking about which dance to use to celebrate the goal!

Qiehe was very annoyed.

He, Musitafei, and Makuier just couldn't get their thoughts to match.

He slightly adjusted his breathing, preparing to face the test.

Lin Jiade dribbled to the top of the penalty area and unleashed a furious shot.

Likewise, there were no flashy feints.

The ball shot straight toward the center of the goal!

Clang!

The crossbar lightly trembled.

After the ball rebounded and hit the ground, Arsenal's goalkeeper easily caught it in his arms.

At Old Trafford Stadium, sighs never ceased.

"Both goalkeepers are just too strong."

"Lin Jiade anxiously grabbed his head."

"Mourinho angrily pounded the ground…"

"Strong hand throw!"

"Qiehe has no intention of stopping."

"The tempo is too fast."

"At this moment, both sides' formations are chaotic."

The Arsenal players who had tracked back halfway immediately turned to attack.

The Manchester United players who had counterattacked halfway immediately turned to track back.

Chief Referee Atjinsen was a bit tired.

He kept running from one penalty area to the midfield circle, then from the other penalty area to the… forty-meter zone.

Which forty-meter zone?

The forty-meter zone in Manchester United's half.

Qiehe's strong hand throw was like a grenade, slamming hard into the no-man's-land!

Li Kang rushed to the landing point, lifted his left foot, and calmly trapped the ball.

In God's perspective.

Mourinho-style Manchester United's three defensive lines had no time to be rebuilt.

Scattered positions in the back line.

In his vision, the phantom of Liverpool's number 9 suddenly appeared.

Both legs instantly surged with endless power…

Peak activated.

Tuoleisi.

Yin Bu and Bogeba both belong to the type of star who doesn't like to participate in tracking back.

But their interception awareness and physicality are very strong.

The two of them, at the moment Li Kang trapped the ball, completed an inside-and-outside pincer.

One disrupted the ball distribution.

One disrupted the clearance.

It looked like they could each complete their tasks.

In a vague way.

It seemed he felt the grass beneath his feet… vibrate slightly a few times.

The tens of thousands of spectators at Old Trafford couldn't utter fitting cheers or boos…

Arsenal's number 10 on the pitch sprang into action.

One step away.

The starting speed that violated the laws of physics left Pogba and Younes seeing only a back in an instant...

It seemed even the camera couldn't keep up with his steps in those few seconds.

The billboards on the sidelines gradually blurred.

Time seemed to have stopped for two seconds.

"What happened."

"Li Kang has reached the thirty-meter area."

"How is he so fast?"

"It's Bailly again!"

"Manchester United's new center-back is undergoing the test again!"

"Can he prove his worth?"

Bailly knows Li Kang very well.

He studied the Marseille turn, the Cruyff turn, Harvey's magic spin... over and over.

He was confident he could knock the ball out... even if it meant a foul.

In Li Kang's vision, the No. 9 phantom, just as it was about to dissipate, suddenly recondensed.

Thud!

The close-range audio equipment transmitted a long-lost sound.

Under the gaze of everyone present.

Li Kang's forward path had little deviation.

And the strong big black egg Bailly... was blown away about a meter....

Manchester United fans in the nearby stands burst into screams.

They remembered this scene: Torres crushed Vidic!

De Gea isn't very fond of coming off his line.

He knows Li Kang's shooting style.

Whether it's a heavy shot,

or a devilish curve,

coming off the line is one of the best options.

How I wish what I see is Li's back.

Life's regrets are nothing more than meeting the right person at the wrong time.