Thanks to Howard for the Goal

Rio Ferdinand had shoulder-length hair. Two years after transferring to Manchester, he had already grown into one of the best defenders in the world.

At the same time, he was also the stylist for Manchester United before Pogba.

His hair color changed unpredictably, and his hairstyles were equally varied.

Even his natural curls could not stop his determination to become a leader in the fashion world.

Today, Rio Ferdinand sported a crew cut with personalized dreadlocks at the back of his head.

His physique was slightly taller than Huang Kaiwen's, and he was significantly heavier, yet Rio Ferdinand possessed excellent agility and speed. This was the foundation of his success.

Facing the pressing Huang Kaiwen, Rio Ferdinand was not panicked in the slightest.

Rio Ferdinand often used dribbling to shake off opponents before passing to his teammates.

As for CR7 getting dispossessed, Rio Ferdinand did not take it to heart at all; when CR7 got carried away, many people could strip the ball from him.

He, Rio Ferdinand, was not such a reckless player.

Upon receiving the ball, Rio Ferdinand tapped it back and forth between his feet.

Seeing that Huang Kaiwen did not rush up, Rio Ferdinand did not pay it any mind.

He quietly applied force to his foot and pushed the ball, feigning that it had slipped from his control, then chased after it toward the flank.

Many attacking players would chase after him, and once they did, they would fall for the trap.

Once they pressed up, Rio Ferdinand would suddenly use a heel-flick followed by a turn and a pass. This move was almost foolproof against attacking players.

Huang Kaiwen chased to the left side just as he had anticipated, and a cold smirk appeared on the corner of Rio Ferdinand's mouth.

No matter how awesome your offense is, you still have to eat my dust.

Rio Ferdinand suddenly flicked the ball with his heel and immediately displayed agility inconsistent with his size to turn around.

The opponent had indeed failed to keep up.

Snap.

Just as he extended his foot to pass the ball forward, a foot blocked his path.

The ball hit Huang Kaiwen's foot and bounced into the penalty area.

What?

Rio Ferdinand hurriedly turned to chase back. Huang Kaiwen ran alongside him toward the inside. Rio Ferdinand was closer, so he used his body to secure the position in advance. No longer showing off, he passed the ball to the retreating Brown.

Brown swung his right foot, intending to clear it to the front court.

Bang—

Seedorf, who had rushed up to block the shot, turned and raised his foot, stopping the ball.

Pirlo, who was nearby, was quick-eyed and nimble-footed; he controlled the ball, and without waiting for Keane to come up, he turned sideways and nonchalantly pushed the ball with his instep to Huang Kaiwen.

Huang Kaiwen, receiving the ball at the edge of the penalty area, felt numb.

Kaka had someone near him, Crespo had someone near him, and Seedorf had someone near him.

Manchester United's defense was far too targeted.

This was making things difficult for me, Huang.

Huang Kaiwen had no choice but to bite the bullet and charge forward.

The ease on Rio Ferdinand's face had vanished, and he watched Huang Kaiwen with a grave expression.

Ferguson had emphasized this Milan genius quite a bit earlier; if he were to be blown past, he would certainly be on the receiving end of the "hairdryer" at halftime.

Croqueta, it must be a Croqueta!

Seeing Huang Kaiwen's movement, Rio Ferdinand had already made his judgment.

Huang Kaiwen's Croqueta was extremely powerful and highly deceptive.

However, don't even think about playing tricks in front of the most expensive defender in world football!

Rio Ferdinand let out a cold snort, preparing to counter every move.

To deal with Huang Kaiwen's Croqueta, he had frequently asked his teammates to help him train his defense against this specific dribbling move.

It was time to show his true skills!

Rio Ferdinand's eyes narrowed. He judged that Huang Kaiwen's action of sending the ball to his front with his right foot must be a feint; as soon as he stuck his foot out, Huang Kaiwen would immediately flick the ball to his left foot.

This was the essence of the Croqueta.

It made you rush in without time to adjust your center of gravity, then he would run right past you.

Heh!

Watch me dispossess you.

Rio Ferdinand moved rapidly to the right, preparing to steal the ball the moment Huang Kaiwen flicked it to his left foot.

However, Huang Kaiwen did not flick the ball to his left foot at all.

Instead, he dribbled the ball straight into the penalty area.

Rio Ferdinand stood rooted to the spot, questioning his life.

Sure enough, no genius is that simple.

He predicted my prediction today; he truly deserves to be the one wearing the number 10 jersey at Milan!

"Shit!!!!"

Ferguson roared at the pitch: "What the hell are you spacing out for? Did you have a sudden cerebral hemorrhage? The seven-week-pregnant cat in my backyard is more agile than you when chasing butterflies!"

Fortunately, Brown had already arrived in the penalty area to provide cover.

Brown did not dare to stick his foot out easily for fear of conceding a penalty, so he just kept squeezing Huang Kaiwen with his body.

Huang Kaiwen had grievances he couldn't voice.

Cesare Maldini was a great defender, but his attacking skills were truly lacking.

In this situation, it was very difficult to force a turn and deliver a decent cut-back pass; he couldn't turn his body that sharply.

Looking at the Manchester United goalkeeper, who was moving toward him from close range, Huang Kaiwen decided to go for it.

If you won't let me pass back, then I'll shoot directly.

Near the byline, with no angle left, Huang Kaiwen forced a slight turn and took a shot.

Seeing the opportunity, Brown bumped Huang Kaiwen again. Caught off guard, Huang Kaiwen ended up shooting with the sole of his boot.

The shot was soft and powerless, and the ball wobbled toward Howard at the near post.

Ferguson breathed a sigh of relief.

Good thing he couldn't put any power on it, the danger is averted.

However, he immediately clutched his heart.

Because he saw the American goalkeeper Howard, crouching at the near post, actually let the ball pass between his hands and into the goal.

The way Howard turned his head to look at the ball was so ridiculous.

Assistant manager Phelan hurriedly steadied Ferguson.

"I'm fine." Ferguson stubbornly pushed his assistant away and cursed at the pitch: "Idiots! Roy Carroll is injured and you need to prove yourself—are you trying to send yourself to the bench? And you, Cristiano, do you think you're Maradona or Cruyff, that you don't need to defend? Rio, I suspect that donkey of yours is often distracted because you spend too much energy on your hair..."

Both Howard and CR7 had joined Manchester United last year, and the American goalkeeper had a decent start at the club.

But then he started having "episodes."

Howard's "butterfingers" directly led to Manchester United being eliminated by Porto last year.

Then Howard lost his starting position, but he performed well in the FA Cup final at the end of the season, helping Manchester United win the title, which was why Ferguson decided to give him more opportunities.

Of course, the most important thing was that Carroll was injured, and he had no choice but to use Howard.

Now Ferguson finally understood that there was a reason why America was a football wasteland.

For a ball like that, even he, a 63-year-old former striker, could have saved it, yet Howard had actually let it in.

Look at Huang Kaiwen, who scored the goal.

He handled both offense and defense. Ferguson had previously thought Huang Kaiwen only knew how to attack, but seeing it live today, not only was his pressing active, but his defense was also very strong. He was actually able to see through Rio Ferdinand's movements and make a tackle at the critical moment.

His timing was excellent, and his positional sense was strong.

Whether in attack or defense, he had no weaknesses.

He was actually a hexagonal warrior!

While Ferguson was watching Huang Kaiwen, Huang Kaiwen was also watching Ferguson.

Huang Kaiwen was celebrating the goal Howard had gifted them with his teammates when he heard the Manchester United manager's angry shouting.

Truly terrifying.

Ferguson was indeed one of the best coaches right now.

But his temper was also too explosive.

If he were playing under such a coach, how could he comfortably slack off?

With a guy like that, wouldn't he get scolded eight times a day?

He might even get depressed, and he didn't even know if the University of Manchester offered postgraduate recommendations.

Looking back at his own Ancelotti, who was always smiling and never got angry about anything.

Huang Kaiwen felt a bit lucky to have joined Milan. Compared to the hot-tempered Ferguson, even Ancelotti's eccentric habits didn't seem so unbearable.