Was He Only Worth One Million Euros?

Leo Kang drove the ball forward at speed.

Bayer Leverkusen's midfielders and forwards also surged forward like mad.

Herrera and Fellaini quickly pressed up.

They were trying to contain Leo Kang the same way they had contained Çalhanoğlu!

"Manchester United's central midfield pairing is pressing fiercely!"

"Herrera is a Basque player, after all. He may be slight, but his interception technique is outstanding, and his timing in tackles is excellent."

"As for Fellaini, there's no need to say anything. His physical advantage is simply too obvious!"

Everyone's eyes focused on the area near the center circle in Manchester United's half.

Herrera and Fellaini came charging in.

In God's Perspective, Leo Kang could not find a passing lane forward.

Kießling was tightly marked by Carrick.

Son Heung-min had lost the positional battle to Rojo.

Brandt had not yet had time to accelerate.

If he passed the ball back,

this rapid counterattack would turn into a positional battle again.

In that split second,

Leo Kang made his decision.

With his left foot, he nudged the ball toward Herrera's side.

Then he exploded forward!

Herrera decisively stuck out a foot.

Then he suddenly realized his body was airborne?

"What's going on? Leo Kang has sent Herrera flying again!"

"No foul! The referee signals for play to continue!"

Herrera landed on the turf on his backside.

His face was utterly bewildered.

Fellaini turned slowly, and his speed advantage was not particularly obvious.

By the time he tried to chase back, Bayer Leverkusen's number 10 had already left him far behind!

"That kid is too sly. He just keeps picking on our technical midfielders with his physique!"

Van Gaal could no longer stay calm!

He hurried to the touchline.

Excitedly directing Manchester United's defensive line into position.

Carrick stood in Leo Kang's path.

As Ferguson-era Manchester United's "filter for football idiots," he had quietly devoted the peak years of his career during his eight years with the Red Devils.

Even in 2015, his physicality and defensive anticipation were absolutely top-tier in Manchester United's aging and injury-riddled squad!

There was no anticipated fierce clash.

No anticipated psychological battle.

No feints to probe each other.

Leo Kang played a short pass!

He had never intended to go head-to-head with Carrick. The man could not even be knocked away by Drogba!

Kießling drifted wide, taking Smalling with him.

After receiving the ball on the right flank, Son Heung-min faced Rojo's frantic press.

With a flick of his heel, he sent the ball to the overlapping Hilbert.

Bayer Leverkusen's fullback did not overthink it, threading a diagonal pass toward the mute Chinese player.

Leo Kang, having run into position, easily brought the ball under control.

At that moment,

he was already standing in the inside channel of Manchester United's half!

"Beautiful!"

"His passing pace and timing are perfect! And that movement—unbelievable! It's impossible to imagine a 17-year-old being so nimble on the Champions League stage!"

"And what's most crucial? He never lets his team's attacking tempo slow down. It only gets faster and faster!"

Old Trafford.

Had grown much quieter.

Manchester United fans felt as though their hearts had been clenched.

Bayer Leverkusen's Asian number 10 was far tougher than Çalhanoğlu!

That kid did not merely possess stunning long-range shooting.

He also had the power to drive forward with the ball.

As well as exquisite passing ability.

And vision and awareness.

This was a genuine super talent!

In the VIP box.

Ferguson began chewing another piece of gum.

His expression remained calm.

Yet his clenched fist trembled slightly.

The figure of Bayer Leverkusen's number 10.

Seemed to remind him of a Champions League final from some year ago.

It was a painful memory.

"You're saying this kid came from La Masia Academy?"

"Bayer Leverkusen bought him for only one million euros? Damn it! More than a decade ago, I spent 3.5 million euros on a Chinese player!"

"This is ridiculous! Even buying a lottery ticket, there were no tickets that cheap in 2015!"

"Find out what his release clause is. Yes, I'm retired! I don't have any other ideas!"

By the pitch.

Van Gaal heavily slapped his forehead. "God, why did you send this kid to torment me in such a crucial match!"

His voice was loud.

And as Old Trafford fell quiet,

it happened to reach Schmidt's ears.

Bayer Leverkusen's manager flushed red.

BellArabi and Çalhanoğlu wore complicated expressions.

The mute Chinese player whom the first team had looked down upon was actually this strong?

Only Blind remained in front of Leo Kang.

He was another player who relied on his brain to play football.

He had once been named the Eredivisie season's best player while playing as a left back.

Physical confrontations were not his strength.

At the very least, he could not match Leo Kang's attribute score of 78.

Everything happened quickly.

Just as Blind was confident he could end Bayer Leverkusen's attack,

Brandt cut into the center.

Leo Kang made a small swing with his left foot.

And gently rolled the ball sideways.

Then he slipped past Blind!

"Beautiful!"

"Brandt touches it once! A brilliant one-two wall pass!"

"Oh!"

Leo Kang received Brandt's return pass at the top of the penalty arc.

Just as he was about to face an open goal,

Blind turned and caught up.

Both hands.

Wrapped tightly around Bayer Leverkusen number 10's waist!

Leo Kang was brought down.

Van Gaal looked as though he was about to faint.

Schmidt clenched his fists excitedly.

Beep!

The referee blew his whistle.

And showed Manchester United's center-back a yellow card!

Blind offered no explanation.

He amicably helped Leo Kang up and patted him on the backside.

"There was really no other choice. Blind had no option but to commit a tactical foul!"

"Normally, that should have been a red card!"

"Manchester United's two center-backs have each received a yellow card. Let's look at this free kick—it's in a good position."

The referee took out his vanishing spray.

And marked a U-shape at the spot of the foul.

Leo Kang held the ball tightly.

He gestured to his teammates, indicating that he would take the free kick himself.

No one objected.

After all, the Chinese kid had earned this chance himself.

His performance in the mere minutes since coming on as a substitute was the strongest possible proof.

De Gea looked grave as he carefully directed the wall.

Lingard suddenly shuddered.

He hurriedly covered his groin with his hand.

"That guy's power is terrifying! Anthony, can we switch positions? I'm not even a father yet!"

Martial immediately shook his head in refusal.

Upon hearing that, Manchester United's players all covered their groins and protected their chests.

By the pitch.

Schmidt demanded, "Leo Kang can take free kicks too? No one told me!"

The assistant coach explained with a bitter smile, "Didn't you tell him not to train with the team? Usually, no one cared what he was practicing. Sigh!"

BellArabi crossed his arms over his chest.

Subconsciously unwilling to acknowledge Leo Kang's ability.

It was a common pathological mindset in group social settings.

"Wasn't Leo Kang just lucky enough to fluke a world-class goal? And now he wants to take the free kick too?"

"Stop being so stubborn!"