It all started on August 21, when Arsenal thrashed Blackpool 9–0.
Then, on August 24, Manchester City cruised to a 3–0 home win over Liverpool.
The second round of the Premier League officially came to an end.
In that round, defending champions Chelsea once again demolished Wigan Athletic 6–0.
After scoring a hat-trick in the previous match, the Beast, Drogba, pulled off an assist hat-trick this time.
Two consecutive "hat-tricks"—the Beast was certainly in scorching form!
Manchester United, meanwhile, were held to a 2–2 draw away by the Cottagers, Fulham.
Nani missed a crucial penalty in the 87th minute. Just two minutes later, Fulham player Hangeland scored, redeeming himself with a last-gasp equalizer.
On the sidelines, the red-nosed old Scot nearly lost his temper over Nani's abysmal performance!
Even though Nani had just forced Hangeland into an own goal before missing the penalty, that couldn't hide the huge mistake that led to United being pegged back.
After the match, the Red-Nosed Old Man didn't say much about the penalty at the press conference.
He knew perfectly well that some things were best dealt with behind closed doors.
He wouldn't publicly criticize his players' mistakes in front of the media. Ferguson wasn't Ten Hag, the head coach of the rattan-army, and wouldn't do something like that.
But putting pressure on his rivals was a compulsory part of every season for the old Scot.
Since United's two biggest rivals, Chelsea and Arsenal, had both opened the season with two emphatic wins, the Red-Nosed Old Man naturally seized the chance to put them under pressure:
"Carlo did a good job last season, winning the first Premier League title of his career. I'd like to congratulate him."
"Chelsea have made a very strong start this season, with two 6–0 wins. It seems they're on the right path to defending their title."
"But as the only manager in the Premier League Era to have won three consecutive league titles, I'd like to offer him a little advice."
"His predecessor at Chelsea, Jose, defended the league title in his first two years at the club."
"But after losing the league title just once, Abramovich ruthlessly showed him the door."
"In my view, the biggest obstacle to Carlo defending the title isn't the other teams challenging for it. It's his boss, Mr. Abramovich."
"As everyone knows, the trophy Mr. Abramovich has always wanted is the Champions League, not the Premier League."
"But in last season's UEFA Champions League, Chelsea were knocked out in the Round of 16 by Inter Milan, led by Jose."
"Reaching the last 16 of the Champions League certainly wouldn't satisfy Mr. Abramovich."
"Especially since they were knocked out by Jose, a former Chelsea manager. A billionaire like Abramovich would find that even harder to tolerate."
"So I have serious doubts about whether Carlo can defend the Premier League title this season."
"Because, when all is said and done, Carlo is only a coach. He can deal with matters on the pitch, but he can't solve problems off it."
"Especially when those off-field problems involve Chelsea's owner. There's even less he can do about that..."
After taking a few shots at Carlo and Abramovich, the Red-Nosed Old Man turned to his old rival:
"As for Arsène, I know him very well. Stubborn, boastful, unrealistic—that's how I'd sum him up."
"Anyone with eyes can see that the Arsenal of today aren't good enough to challenge for the title."
"Perhaps they can play at a title-winning level for a while."
"But stretch that out to a whole season—no, even half a season—and their thin squad and weak bench will undo all their earlier efforts!"
"On paper, Arsenal are far less of a threat to Manchester United than Chelsea."
"At least Chelsea really do have a host of quality players and a deep enough bench."
"As for Arsenal's youngsters, all I can say is I'm sorry. They may be talented, but at this stage they can't make up for the weaknesses in Arsenal's squad and on the bench."
After Li Yufei found out what Sir Ferguson had said, it was the day after Manchester United's match.
There was no denying it: Ferguson was the undisputed ruler of the Premier League Era!
His work off the pitch was truly not to be underestimated!
Just listen to the way he'd put it: from beginning to end, his comments were dripping with an air of superiority.
But there was no denying he had every right to that condescending attitude.
After all, he'd won most of the league titles since the start of the Premier League Era.
Didn't like it? Tough!
Of course, Li Yufei wasn't going to let it go. He wasn't the kind of coward who'd hang his head and hide like a turtle just because someone had taken a shot at him.
As a transmigrator with a cheat, and the son of a super-rich man, Li Yufei had never known what it meant to keep a low profile. He had no intention of starting now.
Even though his standing in football was nowhere near comparable to that of Ferguson, the Red Devils Godfather!
He still wasn't going to back down.
If Ferguson said Arsenal's squad wasn't good enough and their bench was too thin,
then they could just sign some players!!!
As long as they threw money around, what player couldn't they buy?
Li Yufei acted on the idea without hesitation and called his own boss.
"Boss, which positions are we still short in at Arsenal? Why don't you tell me? We can bring in some players!"
Heaven knew how shocked Wenger was when Li Yufei called him and actually asked about transfers!
Good heavens, after all this time, someone had finally asked Arsène about the squad.
The person asking was just a young player recently promoted from the youth team to the first team.
But Wenger knew that this player, who should by all rights have belonged to the "working class," could play a crucial role in the club's transfer business.
Because his father was a major Arsenal shareholder.
What he said might count for nothing, but his father could decide everything.
In other words, if his words carried weight with his father, they carried weight at Arsenal.
And Wenger had no doubt that Li Yufei's words would carry weight with Li's Father.
As far as Wenger knew, Li Yufei was his only son.
With a connection like that, how could his words not count?
Wenger didn't hesitate and named the players he wanted.
"Hazard, Varane, Griezmann, Matuidi..."
Hearing those famous names from the future, Li Yufei couldn't help but marvel:
"No wonder they call it Wenger's Signing Wishlist. These were all future world-class players!"
Li Yufei wasn't entirely sure where the players Wenger had named were currently playing.
But he knew they'd all go on to become world-class players in their positions!
Before you continue