Chapter 1 The End of Suspense

Chen Hero’s goal completely ended the suspense of the match. Manchester United’s home ground was once again captured by Liverpool, and this time it was clean and neat. Manchester United didn’t even get a single goal.

Until the final whistle, the score didn’t change.

2:0, Liverpool defeated the Premier League’s overlord Manchester United on their home ground—at least at this moment, Manchester United was still the overlord. Liverpool was just the challenger, the one trying to take the throne.

As soon as the game ended, Chen Hero was surrounded by reporters. He was undoubtedly the best player of the match, and the reporters wanted to hear his thoughts on defeating Manchester United twice in a row on their home ground.

“I am very happy.” Chen Hero held the champagne symbolizing the best player of the match and said to the reporters. “Being able to defeat Manchester United is a remarkable thing, being able to defeat them on their home ground is even more remarkable, and being able to defeat them twice in a row on their home ground is even more remarkable!”

This kind of answer was too conventional, and the reporters were not satisfied. They clamored, demanding that Chen Hero answer again.

From this, you could see how good Chen Hero’s mood was today—facing the pushy reporters, he didn’t glare and spout nonsense before turning around and leaving. He just smiled and said, “Okay, now it’s our turn to pull them down from the top spot!”

This was the kind of answer the reporters wanted to hear, one that fit Chen Hero’s personality!

How arrogant, but that's the right flavor!

In fact, this was what many reporters were thinking.

Two consecutive games proved that Manchester United had begun to descend from the throne, and the dynasty’s decline was an unstoppable historical trend.

In fact, every dynasty has its rise and fall, but Manchester United’s dynasty lasted for an exceptionally long time—from the beginning of the Premier League until the end of the previous season.

During this period, although there were several rebellions or uprisings, none of them shook the foundation of this dynasty. Whether it was Blackburn, Arsenal, or Chelsea, they were either brutally suppressed by Manchester United, or they self-destructed.

In this way, this dynasty lasted for a full twenty-one years, standing firm despite the wind and rain, which was rare in the world of football.

But now it has finally come to an end, which is also a natural law. But if Liverpool hadn’t risen so strongly, perhaps this time would have been delayed by a few more years? Until after Ferguson retired...

But now no one knows the answer.

They watched as Manchester United went from extreme prosperity to extreme decline—just before they lost the league title last season, they were still the kings who had won the league title for three consecutive years.

Suddenly, everything collapsed. The bricks on the city wall began to crumble, like a castle made of sand.

Everyone really saw him rise to build a tall building, saw him entertain guests, and saw his building collapse...

※※※

Chen Hero had already left, and the reporters packed up and flocked to the press conference.

Martin O’Neill’s press conference was very short. At Old Trafford, even though he was the victor, he could never be the protagonist.

Because the only protagonist in this Theatre of Dreams was Sir Alex Ferguson.

Martin O’Neill made some comments on the game. He believed that the team’s victory was deserved and reasonable. He also praised the performance of the whole team, and finally he made an evaluation of his opponent, Manchester United.

“I can’t say that Manchester United has started to decline. The outcome of one or two games doesn’t mean anything. Even if we win the league title this season, Manchester United will still be strong and our biggest enemy. I will never underestimate such an enemy.”

Then he left.

Ferguson appeared in front of everyone a few minutes later.

From the moment he entered the press conference, everyone stared intently at his face, wishing their eyes were magnifying glasses or microscopes, trying to find any clue from Ferguson’s face to see what kind of emotions he was experiencing.

But they were disappointed. Ferguson’s old face had many wrinkles and age spots, but it didn’t show what they hoped to see.

Ferguson sat down in his seat and began to speak before the reporters could ask any questions.

“If you want me to admit defeat, I’m sorry to disappoint you. This is just a loss in one game, and it doesn’t mean anything else. The outcome of a game has no logic. We had the advantage throughout the game, and they only had two decent attacks and scored goals… I can only say that we were better than them in everything in this game, except for luck.”

Ferguson was still stubbornly refusing to admit defeat.

The reporters below the stage exchanged glances. As expected, this stubborn old man was still so tough.

But can his toughness revitalize Manchester United?

A reporter raised his hand, but Ferguson didn’t give him a chance to ask a question. He stood up and said, “Today’s press conference is over, goodbye.”

After speaking, he turned and walked out of the press conference.

A group of reporters looked at each other, but they were not surprised, because this was Ferguson’s style!

He never gave reporters a good look, especially when he was in a bad mood.

Therefore, everyone also believed that Ferguson was not as calm as he appeared to be, and was actually very unhappy.

That was enough, the other things the reporters could freely elaborate on, as long as the main theme was correct.

※※※

When Ferguson left the press conference, he certainly knew what those reporters were thinking and what they would do.

He had been the coach of Manchester United for more than twenty years, and he was very familiar with these reporters. These reporters were full of bad ideas, and there wasn’t a single good one among them!

The newspapers and news programs the next day would inevitably be filled with voices predicting the decline of himself and Manchester United. Perhaps his retirement should be put on the agenda again.

How ridiculous.

Chelsea had won the league title for two consecutive seasons, so why didn’t these people dare to say that Manchester United was finished back then?

Because I wasn’t as old as I am now back then.

But I don’t think I’m old now either.

Ferguson left the press conference completely with steady but firm steps, leaving behind the reporters who were plotting against him in their hearts.

He would not pay attention to what the media said.

Manchester United, and he, Ferguson, never had the habit of admitting defeat.

Manchester United, and he, Ferguson, should always hold their heads high, no matter what.

※※※

In fact, there was no need to wait until the next day. That night, the whole of England was discussing the just-concluded focus match.

On television, the hosts of various football programs and sports news reporters were talking about the impact of this game.

“…I think Ferguson is old, very obvious, he can’t keep up with the times, it’s time to step down and give way to someone more capable. If he really loves Manchester United, he should be like Dalglish, choosing to give up because of love, rather than like a greedy king, hoping that he can live forever and always hold power…”

A guest was speaking to the camera.

Changing the channel, a woman dressed as a news reporter said with a professional smile: “Liverpool defeated Manchester United 2:0 in the just-concluded focus match. Manchester United were defeated by Liverpool twice in a row on their home ground. Liverpool’s number one striker, Chen Hero, scored twice in the match and became the best player of the match…”

Continuing to change the channel, Mark Lawrenson, one of the hosts of *Match of the Day*, smiled happily: “Liverpool is indeed reviving, that’s right, this time it’s absolutely true, I definitely didn’t see it wrong—Liverpool is reviving! I’m fortunate to be able to see this scene in my lifetime…”

Lineker laughed at him from the side: “Mark, are you sure you’re not just badmouthing your former club?”

Changing the channel again, a football talk show was in progress, and the host was fiercely criticizing Ferguson: “As a Manchester United fan, being defeated by Liverpool twice in a row at home, and losing to Liverpool twice in a row in two seasons, such a result is unacceptable. Who should be responsible for the defeat in this game? The players? No, they have already worked very hard. The club’s management? No, the Glazer family invested heavily in signings this summer, and they brought him almost whoever Ferguson wanted… Then the answer is obvious, Ferguson should be responsible for this situation…”

The guest also interjected at the right time, expressing support for the host’s point of view: “That’s right. I’m not questioning Sir Ferguson. He has proven his greatness in the past. He doesn’t need to continue to prove himself. His glorious history explains everything, but we can’t always live in a glorious history. It’s time for Manchester United to look forward… Liverpool is a good example. They have a group of players in their prime, such as Hero, Bale, Sanchez, and Suarez, who represent the future. If Manchester United doesn’t reflect on itself, I’m afraid it will be further and further away from its arch-rival!”

Continuing to change the channel, what appeared was a scene of Manchester United fans being interviewed by reporters outside Old Trafford after the game. A Manchester United fan with a freckled face was saying dejectedly into the reporter’s microphone:

“I’m so sad… This game has completely lost us the hope of winning the league title this season! Who should be responsible for this game?” The fan in the lens paused for a moment, and then, under the reporter’s prompting, he said the name the reporter most wanted to hear. “I think it should be Ferguson, yes, it’s Ferguson! He’s old, he should give his position to a younger coach… I think Mourinho is quite good, I hope he comes to coach Manchester United. With him, we will definitely be able to defeat Liverpool again…”

……

That night, there were many such voices, and they were like a surging undercurrent, rushing towards the true king of Manchester United, Ferguson, wanting to pull him down from the throne.

But that night, Ferguson was at home, sleeping soundly with his wife.