Chapter 650: Don't Give Him an Inch!
Manuel Pellegrini observed the struggle Yarmolenko was facing. As the spearhead of West Ham's attack, his entanglement with Bruno had effectively paralyzed half of their offensive potential.
The West Ham manager pondered his options and made a strategic adjustment, moving Yarmolenko to the forward line and switching to a 4-3-3 formation.
This change meant Bruno could no longer keep shadowing Yarmolenko unless he abandoned his midfield role to play as a defender. But Bruno couldn't simply drop back. If he did, who would orchestrate Manchester United's attack?
Bruno's stamina was not an issue—he could easily sprint from one penalty box to the other—but the time lost in transition would be costly. In both war and football, hesitation and delay can be fatal. Was the team supposed to freeze the play and wait for him to join the attack? That was simply impossible.
Watching Yarmolenko now positioned between Luke Shaw and Virgil van Dijk, Bruno realized he needed to shift his focus. There was only one viable solution: attack and score goals.
With this decision made, Bruno turned toward the offensive zone. His goal was clear—he had to rewrite the scoreline before West Ham could find the net.
Missed Opportunity
West Ham soon launched another attack. This time, Anderson delivered a pass into the penalty box, creating a golden opportunity for Yarmolenko.
However, Yarmolenko hadn't anticipated the ball making it past three defenders and a crowded box, leaving him unprepared. His hesitation and poor balance resulted in him missing what should have been a straightforward goal.
"Aaaah! That was easier to score than to miss!" exclaimed the West Ham commentator, visibly disappointed.
The Manchester United commentator breathed a sigh of relief. "So close... so close... Manchester United narrowly avoided falling behind! They must not let West Ham score again. The Hammers have been relentless; if I were Mourinho, I'd tell the team to focus on defense."
But Mourinho didn't follow the textbook playbook. Known for his infamous "Mourinho bus" tactics, he had previously prioritized defense above all when facing adversity.
However, during his tenure at Manchester United, Mourinho had evolved. His strategies now often surprised fans and pundits alike.
This time, his decision was bold: attack.
Mourinho chose to pit offense against offense, betting on Manchester United's superior firepower to prevail.
Changing Dynamics
Noble continued to eye Bruno but began debating internally. Should he keep marking the newly crowned FIFA World Player of the Year?
Pellegrini had issued specific instructions for Yarmolenko but said nothing to Noble about Bruno.
Bruno appeared more like a bystander than the focal point of the game, playing an inconspicuous role. Should Noble stay glued to him or shift his focus elsewhere?
To tip the balance, Gundogan started asserting himself more, frequently receiving passes and operating in the space between the defense and midfield. Bruno encouraged teammates to pass to Gundogan while playing a supporting role, acting as a decoy.
Gundogan, having played as an attacking midfielder in the past, was skilled at creating opportunities.
When Gundogan sent a through ball to Harry Kane, setting up a one-on-one chance, Noble made up his mind. He left Bruno and charged at Gundogan to disrupt the play.
The decision immediately led to a turnover, allowing West Ham to counterattack. But before the ball could reach Yarmolenko, Kante intercepted it and passed to Luke Shaw. Shaw then found Gundogan, who pushed higher up the field, taking on the role of a de facto attacking midfielder.
With Noble now shadowing Gundogan, Bruno found himself unmarked.
The Breakthrough
Gundogan received the ball near the penalty area, with Noble and Obiang pressing him. Ignoring potential options like Kane or Rashford, Gundogan performed a backheel pass, sending the ball behind him.
Bruno, sprinting into position, collected the ball.
Instead of immediately shooting, Bruno feigned a long-range effort. West Ham's defenders shifted their focus inward, leaving gaps on the flanks. Seizing the moment, Bruno flicked the ball to the right, sending it into the box.
The Goal
"Here it comes! Bruno's through pass!" The Manchester United commentator's excitement peaked as Rashford cut inside at the perfect moment to receive the ball.
Rashford took a powerful shot, forcing a brilliant save from Fabianski. However, the deflection fell right back to Rashford.
Fabianski scrambled to his feet, readying himself for another save, but Rashford chose to square the ball across the goal instead.
The pass slipped between Fabianski and Diop, landing at the feet of Harry Kane, who calmly slotted it into the net.
"GOOOOOOOOALLLLL!!!" the commentator roared.
"Manchester United scores their second of the match! And who set it up? Bruno! His incisive through ball created the chance!"
Frustration for West Ham
As Kane celebrated with Rashford and Bruno, West Ham's manager Pellegrini fumed on the sidelines.
The target of his frustration was Noble. Pellegrini had refrained from instructing Noble to leave Bruno, assuming the captain understood the importance of marking the Portuguese star.
"Don't give him an inch!" Pellegrini yelled, gesturing angrily toward Noble.
Noble could only lower his head in silence. He knew he had made a mistake. If he had continued marking Bruno, the play might have unfolded differently.
The Final Push
Kane's goal gave Manchester United a 2–1 lead, but West Ham didn't lose their composure. While they increased their attacking efforts, they refrained from an all-out offensive, maintaining a careful balance to avoid further vulnerability.
Noble returned to shadowing Bruno, ensuring he couldn't orchestrate another dangerous play. Bruno, meanwhile, understood the importance of maintaining composure.
West Ham's renewed energy pushed United into a more defensive stance. Mourinho instructed his players to hold their shape and wait for the right moment to counterattack.
"We'll defend solidly for the next five minutes," Mourinho told his coaching staff. "If we can weather this storm, West Ham's morale will dip. That's when we'll strike again."
His plan was simple: wear down West Ham and exploit their desperation in the final ten minutes.
If West Ham overcommitted, United's quick wingers would capitalize on the gaps. Another goal would seal the victory. But if West Ham chose to play conservatively, United could simply run down the clock.
Mourinho's strategy was clear—patience and precision would secure the win.
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