"GOALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL!!!!"
"IT'S IN!!!!"
"Just before the end of the first half, Yang Yang scored with a brilliant direct free kick to breach Manchester United's goal and extend Ajax's lead to 2–0!"
"That was also Yang Yang's ninth goal in official Champions League matches this season."
"What an incredible dipping shot!"
"Yang Yang's free kick was devilishly tricky. After clearing the wall, it headed straight for the top-left corner."
"De Gea read the ball's trajectory and threw himself into a save, but the shot suddenly dipped sharply in front of the goal. That was a signature feature of Yang Yang's free kicks, and De Gea couldn't stop it from hitting the net."
"2–0! Just before the end of the first half, Manchester United had suffered another heavy blow."
The first half ultimately ended with Manchester United trailing 0–2.
The Manchester United fans at Old Trafford were filled with disappointment, but many still cheered for the team, hoping they could rally, display Manchester United's strengths in the second half, and turn the game around.
But Ferguson, sitting in the stands, let out a long sigh and shook his head, his face full of disappointment.
"This is going to be difficult!"
He clearly wasn't optimistic about the team's chances of turning things around in the second half. It wasn't that there was no chance—it was simply too difficult.
Playing at home and conceding twice in the first half would put tremendous pressure on Manchester United, who had gone unbeaten in their previous twelve matches.
At this point, the test facing Manchester United's manager and players was no longer merely about ability and targeted tactics. It was also about their ability to withstand pressure.
"It really is difficult." Gary Neville was equally pessimistic.
He could not be considered a particularly successful coach,