Chapter 420: Bruno Injured
Referee Marriner showed a yellow card to Southampton center-back Maguire. Mourinho frowned, knowing it wasn't ideal for a central defender to receive a yellow card so early in the match. He realized he had been a bit too optimistic. Southampton, trailing 1-0, did not appear overly anxious.
"This is a very experienced team," Gary Lineker praised Southampton's performance.
Five minutes later, Maguire was in possession at the back. He attempted to pass to Kante but underhit the ball. Gabbiadini intercepted it, successfully stealing the ball.
"Chance!"
Gabbiadini charged into the penalty area. Despite Van Dijk's desperate sliding tackle to clear the ball, Gabbiadini followed up quickly and shot the ball into the top left corner of the net.
"GOOOOOOOOOOOOOALLLLLLL!!!!"
"Gabbiadini! Southampton equalizes!"
"Southampton showed their experience, staying calm and quickly capitalizing on United's mistake to level the score."
"Damn!" Mourinho cursed.
...
Southampton's quick equalizer thwarted United's plans to sit back and play on the counter. The game then entered a deadlock.
Southampton didn't rush their attacks, opting instead for aggressive pressing to turn the midfield into a battleground.
In the 18th minute, Kante was booked for a foul on Bertrand. Mourinho was unhappy with the decision, feeling that Kante's foul was minor and warranted only a verbal warning.
Shortly after, Cedric Soares committed two fouls in quick succession on Bruno and Ibrahimovic, receiving only a verbal warning each time, further frustrating Mourinho and drawing loud boos from United fans.
Mourinho's expression darkened. He knew the referee, after awarding the penalty, had shifted his mindset and was now lenient towards Southampton.
"Ibrahimovic shoots! Over the bar!"
"Gabbiadini! Just wide!"
"Bruno! Oh, so close!"
...
With the midfield bogged down in physical play, neither team created many clear scoring opportunities, resorting to long-range efforts that posed little threat.
...
Lingard, carrying the ball forward, was brought down by Stephens, who used both hands and feet to stop him. Referee Marriner hesitated but signaled for play to continue.
Mourinho watched silently, his face stern. He had already been verbally warned by the referee and didn't want to risk further outbursts.
"Marriner's officiating is inconsistent," commented Lineker. "If Kante's tackle on Bertrand warranted a yellow card, then Stephens' foul should at least be called."
United players raised their hands, signaling a foul by Stephens. Meanwhile, Southampton attempted a quick counter, but Valencia sprinted back and cleanly tackled the ball away from Bertrand, halting the attack.
Mourinho applauded from the sidelines, praising Valencia for his tireless defensive effort.
Three minutes later, Rojo made a sliding tackle on Romeu, leaving him on the ground. This time, Marriner only issued a verbal warning to Rojo, angering Puel.
Throughout the first half, aside from the goals, the referee was the center of attention. Both Mourinho and Puel were dissatisfied with Marriner's performance.
After one minute of injury time, Marriner blew the whistle to end the first half. The score was tied at 1-1.
Cameras captured Mourinho and Puel both approaching the referee at the tunnel entrance.
"Marriner's officiating in the first half was a disaster," said Gary Lineker. "United are unhappy with his inconsistent calls, feeling he made too many decisions against them. Puel is also unhappy."
The camera showed Puel pointing towards the penalty spot in Southampton's box, clearly still upset about the penalty decision.
...
"How are you feeling?" Mourinho asked with concern.
Back in the dressing room, Bruno approached the team doctor, reporting a slight strain. Mourinho immediately became tense.
While he wanted the League Cup, Mourinho did not want to risk injury to his players, especially Bruno, who was United's midfield engine. Without Bruno, United's attacking power would be significantly reduced.
The league was entering its final, critical phase, with no room for setbacks. The League Cup's importance couldn't compare to the Premier League title.
"He can continue playing," said team doctor Neil Hough after examining Bruno, "but for safety, I recommend he doesn't."
Mourinho looked at Hough.
"I checked the pitch; it's quite slippery," Hough added.
Bruno was about to speak.
"Rest for now," Mourinho decided decisively. "Bruno, trust your teammates. We have more important trophies to win."
Bruno opened his mouth but then nodded in agreement.
"For the second half, stick to our first-half tactics," Mourinho instructed. "And be careful not to get injured. We want the trophy, but I want everyone healthy to lift it."
...
Before the second half began, United made a substitution. Veteran Carrick came on for Bruno, and United changed their formation. Herrera, Kante, Carrick, and Mata lined up in midfield, switching to a 4-4-2 with Lingard and Ibrahimovic as forwards.
Mourinho didn't expect this forced change to have an immediate impact.
Valencia received the ball at the top of the penalty area, turned, and passed to Herrera on the wing. Herrera advanced a few steps and passed horizontally to Kante, who then passed to Rojo.
Rojo attempted a lofted pass, but Steven Davis headed it back. Kante tapped the ball to Rojo, who passed to Mata on the wing.
Mata didn't attempt to dribble but instead sent a diagonal long pass to the opposite side.
"A brilliant diagonal pass!" Gary Lineker exclaimed.
The ball flew across the field to the right wing. Valencia, sprinting up the wing, expertly controlled the ball.
Mata's pass caught Southampton off guard. Bertrand, who had just advanced, was caught out of position and struggled to recover.
Seeing Valencia with the ball, Bertrand frantically chased back. Despite his age, Valencia still had impressive speed, leaving Bertrand trailing.
Southampton's aggressive attack left them exposed, and Mata's simple diagonal pass tore their defense apart.
Valencia sped down the wing, with Southampton players desperately chasing back.
United's counter-attacking prowess was on full display. With open space ahead, Valencia had the perfect opportunity to surge forward.
Redmond tried to intercept, sprinting towards Valencia.
Valencia slightly slowed down.
"Running out of steam?" Redmond thought and moved closer to tackle.
Valencia feigned a cut inside, causing Redmond to shift his weight. Then, with a deft touch, Valencia knocked the ball outside and accelerated past him.
"Brilliant!"
"He's through!"
"Valencia, the 31-year-old veteran, is flying! Beautiful! He's in the box!"
Southampton goalkeeper Fraser Forster adjusted, ready to make a save.
Valencia feigned a shot, causing Forster to react. Then, realizing the ruse, Forster scrambled to regain his balance.
At that moment, Valencia passed the ball across the goal, the pace of the pass very quick.
"LIN-GARD!" shouted Gary Lineker.
Lingard slid in to meet the ball, but Stephens hesitated, fearing an own goal.
Lingard missed the ball by inches, and it continued across the goal.
Southampton fans sighed in relief, but at the back post, a figure in a red United jersey appeared.
"IBRAHIMOVIC!"
Wearing the number 9 jersey, Ibrahimovic reached the back post, outpacing a breathless Yoshida. He met the ball with a powerful strike.
Boom!
The shot felt like a hammer blow to Southampton fans' hearts.
The ball soared past Forster's left hand and into the net.
"ZLATAN—GOOOOOOOOOOOALLLLL!" commentators erupted.
Around the world, United fans and Ibrahimovic supporters jumped in celebration.
Ibrahimovic, ecstatic, ran to celebrate with Valencia. Lingard, Mata, Herrera, and Kante rushed over to join in.
They ran to the sidelines, shouting to the United fans: "The title is ours!"
Nearby, Southampton players stood dejected. Though the second half had just begun, conceding so early was a significant blow to their morale.
(End of Chapter)
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