Chapter 740: Marriage Plans
Manchester United defeated arch-rivals Liverpool 5-3 at the Wanda Metropolitano, crowned as kings of Europe, and became the first team in European football history to defend a treble. The echoes of this historic achievement were beginning to fade, yet United fans often reminisced about the grand celebrations upon the team's return to Manchester from Madrid.
That day, Manchester was a city deserted of its usual bustle, as the club hosted the most spectacular and expansive championship parade in its century-long history.
The headlines of major sports media worldwide were dominated by United's fifth European Cup victory and their remarkable achievement of three trebles.
In football, the term "treble" refers to a team winning three significant titles in a single season. However, the "true" treble, widely recognized, consists of winning the domestic league, domestic cup, and the top-tier continental competition in the same season.
Treble History in European Football
True treble-winning teams are a rarity in European football.
The first team to accomplish this was Celtic in the 1966-67 season.Five years later, Ajax, led by Johan Cruyff, followed suit in the 1971-72 season.In 1987-88, PSV Eindhoven became the third treble-winning team.Manchester United became the fourth in 1998-99, and the first from Europe's "big five" leagues.
Since then, Barcelona (2008-09), Inter Milan (2009-10), and Bayern Munich (2012-13) joined the elite list, totaling seven teams in history.
Achieving a treble is incredibly challenging, as evidenced by the fact that only seven teams have managed it since the inception of European football competitions. Even storied clubs like Real Madrid, AC Milan, and Liverpool have fallen short of this feat.
Manchester United, however, has accomplished this monumental achievement three times.
Last season, they went further by adding the League Cup, achieving a "quadruple" for the first time in English football history.This season, United defended their treble, becoming the first club in history to achieve back-to-back trebles.
Such a feat can only be described as extraordinary.
Mourinho's Historic Record
José Mourinho has now become the first manager in history to lead two different teams to a treble and the first to achieve it three times. This cements his status as one of football's greatest managers.
Some fans even argue that Mourinho has surpassed all others to become the greatest manager of all time, though this remains a topic of heated debate.
Season's End for United
With the Champions League title secured, Manchester United's season officially came to a close.
On the evening of June 3rd, the club hosted an end-of-season review event, during which the team's internal awards were announced. Bruno Fernandes, already the recipient of the Premier League's three major individual awards, was named United's Player of the Season for the third consecutive year.
Shortly after, Bruno departed Manchester and returned to Portugal.
Nations League Glory
Though United's season had ended, Bruno still had two critical matches for Portugal in the inaugural UEFA Nations League.
In the semi-finals on June 5th, Portugal faced Switzerland at Porto's Estádio do Dragão. Cristiano Ronaldo stole the show with a hat-trick, leading Portugal to a 3-1 victory. Bruno played the full 90 minutes, assisting one of the goals.Four days later, on June 9th, Portugal met the Netherlands in the final at the same venue. Bruno was the star of the show, scoring in the 12th minute off Bernardo Silva's assist and adding a long-range strike in the 30th minute. Gonçalo Guedes sealed the 3-0 victory in the 60th minute.
Portugal's triumph secured their fourth consecutive major international title.
In 2016, they won the European Championship.In 2017, they claimed the Confederations Cup.In 2018, they lifted the World Cup.Now, they had added the inaugural Nations League trophy to their collection.
Bruno Fernandes was named the tournament's Best Player and Final MVP. Additionally, with four goals, he edged out Ronaldo to become the top scorer of the competition.
After completing his national team duties with Portugal, Bruno officially began his vacation. However, this summer held another significant event for him: his wedding.
More than a year ago, Bruno and Vanessa had decided to marry this summer. Despite some unexpected developments since then, the wedding plans were not canceled.
Yet, there was a major change: the bride would not be Vanessa alone, but two women.
Yes, Bruno would be marrying two brides: Vanessa and Liu Yimei.
The wedding was set to take place in Qatar, as Bruno now held dual citizenship in Portugal and Qatar. The ceremony was to be private, held secretly in the Qatari royal palace, attended only by their closest friends and family.
All attendees were strictly instructed not to disclose any details about the wedding.
As per the trio's agreement, Liu Yimei would publicly appear as Bruno's wife, while Vanessa would take on the role of his personal assistant. This arrangement primarily considered potential future children; Liu Yimei's mixed-race children would have distinct features, making explanations challenging, while Vanessa's situation posed no such complications.
Honeymoon on a Private Island
After the wedding, the three departed for a honeymoon on Blue Hole Island in the Caribbean, a private island Bruno had purchased for $25 million. The island boasted 24 hills, three beaches, and a protected anchorage zone. Its lush vegetation and rare wildlife made it a haven of natural beauty.
While Bruno, Vanessa, and Liu Yimei were enjoying their honeymoon on the secluded island, time quietly slipped into July.
For football fans, this was the dullest period—no matches, and pre-season training for clubs had yet to begin.
Football Transfers and Fan Reactions
In a Manchester pub, sports news played on the television. The coverage highlighted Spanish star Rodri's imminent transfer to Manchester City.
On screen, a well-known transfer expert confidently stated that Rodri could undergo a medical at City as early as the next afternoon. Interviews with excited Manchester City fans showed their plans to welcome Rodri at the airport.
Since the summer transfer window opened, media outlets had speculated on Manchester City spending €70 million to acquire Atlético Madrid's midfielder Rodri. The 23-year-old, a product of Atlético's youth system, joined Villarreal's academy in 2013 and returned to Atlético last summer for €25 million. He quickly became a key defensive midfielder, making 47 appearances across all competitions and helping Atlético secure a La Liga runners-up finish while boasting the league's best defensive record.
City aimed to sign Rodri as a replacement for the aging Fernandinho, now 34. Though the Brazilian remained outstanding in recent seasons, his age was an undeniable factor. Rodri had impressed Pep Guardiola, and the media widely reported that the transfer was almost certain. Even Guardiola, Rodri, and City had not denied these rumors.
As such, when the transfer expert predicted Rodri's imminent medical, it only added to City fans' excitement.
United Fans' Frustration
Watching jubilant City fans on television left some Manchester United supporters feeling frustrated.
The transfer window had been open for over a month, but United's activity in the market seemed minimal.
On the outgoing side, Spanish midfielder Ander Herrera had declined to renew his contract. With United's midfield already brimming with talent, Herrera's playing time had dwindled. While he had won numerous titles with the team, he sought more opportunities to play.
Unable to guarantee him more minutes, José Mourinho reluctantly approved Herrera's transfer. Paris Saint-Germain eventually signed the soon-to-be 30-year-old midfielder for €40 million.
This outcome differed significantly from another timeline, where Herrera left United as a free agent. The change was largely due to a contract extension Herrera signed with United in the summer of 2017.
Elsewhere, young goalkeeper Dean Henderson had his loan at Sheffield United extended for another season. The England U21 international would continue his development with the newly promoted Premier League side.
On the recruitment front, United had yet to make any significant moves.
Their sole action was recalling forward James Wilson from his loan at Aberdeen and temporarily adding him to the first-team squad.
Thank you for the support, friends. If you want to read more chapters in advance, go to my Patreon.
Read 40 Chapters In Advance: patreon.com/Cortez10