The 37th round ended, and the last round was against Sunderland.
May 13, 2012, Stadium of Light.
The final match of the league for Premier League team this season.
Manchester United challenges Sunderland away from home.
Ferguson sent half of the substitute lineup: Vidić is still recovering from injury, Ferdinand takes turns, Giggs, Carrick, and Ashley Young sit on the bench.
Zhang Kuang started the game, but he only played for 50 minutes because before the game Ferguson said he would only be given half-time to gather energy for the UEFA Champions League final and asked him if he was willing.
Zhang Kuang thought for a while and agreed, because there was nothing to pursue in the last round. Scoring one or two more goals would not have much impact on him. He could neither score more than 100 goals nor double Qi and Blood Points, so it didn't matter.
In Sky Sports studio, Martin·Tyler: "Hello everyone, welcome to the final battle of Stadium of Light. Premier League, Sunderland versus Manchester United. I am Martin·Tyler, and I am next to Gary·Neville."
Neville: "Martin, Ferguson Jazz sent out a lot of substitutes today. It seems that they are preparing for the UEFA Champions League finals in advance. The result of this game is no longer important to Manchester United. They just need to stay healthy."
Martin: "Yes, there is no need to fight for anything in the last game. Manchester United does not need to work hard for points or goals, and there is no record to break. Compared with the UEFA Champions League final a few days later, today's game is insignificant."
After the game started, although Manchester United was only a semi-main force, it was Manchester United who scored the first goal. In the 12th minute, Rooney returned to the right diagonally and Hernández successfully countered offside and formed a single goal.
Facing Mignolet, he pushed and shot, but Mignolet fell to the ground and blocked it with a split. When Mignolet wanted to get up and throw the ball under him, a red figure flashed by and kicked the ball into the goal.
When Mignolet went to see who had scored the goal, he only saw figures running to celebrate, but with the number '33' on the back, he also knew who it was.
He looked resentfully at his teammates who were defending Zhang Kuang. They spread their hands to express their helplessness because they really couldn't catch up.
Manchester United 1-0 Sunderland.
Martin: "GOOOOOOOOOOOAL! Zhang Kuang! Rooney's through ball was too accurate. Hernández's successful anti-offside push was blocked by Mignolet. Zhang Kuang scored with a follow-up shot! 1-0! Manchester United takes the lead!"
Neville: "Haha, Mignolet still blames his teammates, but who can catch up with Zhang Kuang when he accelerates? It's useless to blame his teammates. Maybe everyone has forgotten Zhang Kuang's ability to grab points."
He Wei: "Goal, goal, goal, goal, 94th goal in the league, Zhang Kuang continues to create history."
Zhang Lu: "Hey, this ball highlights Zhang Kuang's ability to grab points. The speed is so fast. When Rooney released the ball, he started running. When Hernández pushed, Zhang Kuang was already in place. He seemed to know where the goalkeeper would block the ball. It was really powerful."
"..."
In the 33rd minute, Pogba made a pass. Zhang Kuang received the ball from the left and cut inside. He passed two defensive players and shot a long shot with his right foot from 25 yards. The ball hit the dead corner. Manchester United 2-0 Sunderland.
Martin: "GOOOOOOOOOOOAL! Zhang Kuang! Scored twice! He shot a long shot from 25 yards outside the penalty area, and the ball hit the dead center! 2-0! Zhang Kuang scored two goals in his last Premier League league game!"
Neville: "Familiar route, familiar routine, Zhang Kuang has used this trick on Premier League for two seasons, but no one can stop it."
At the end of the first half, Manchester United scored two goals in away game 2:0 Sunderland and Zhang Kuang.
In the 50th minute, Zhang Kuang was replaced.
Ferguson replaced Zhang Kuang with Welbeck, and all the fans stood up and applauded.
Zhang Kuang waved to the stands as he walked to the sidelines.
After Zhang Kuang came off the field, Rooney and Hernández each created a fatal threat, but Sunderland defended intensively and failed to score in the end.
Ferg replaced Rooney and Hernández in the 67th and 75th minutes respectively. He was accumulating strength for the UEFA Champions League final.
Final score: Sunderland 0-2 Manchester United.
Manchester United ended the league campaign with a victory.
Zhang Kuang scored 95 goals in Premier League, rearranging Premier League's single-season scoring record.
Manchester United created the history of the Premier League standings with 110 points, and also created the history of points in the five major leagues. I am afraid that no team will break this record for a while.
After the game, many media summarized, commented, and scored this season's Premier League. The most eye-catching one is of course Manchester United, which set a record for points, goals, and golden boots.
In preparation for the UEFA Champions League finals, media reporters were originally planning to interview the Manchester United players and coaches, but they were all turned away.
The entire team has been training and preparing in An'an Jingjing.
After all, if Manchester United wins UEFA Champions League again, it will set a record. It is the first team to win two consecutive championships. This is an extremely eye-catching honor because no one has done it in history.
And Ferguson is also very confused. If UEFA Champions League wins two consecutive championships, should he retire immediately?
After all, he is 70 years old.
Or should we fight for another year and win three consecutive championships?
Manchester United will no longer be the previous Manchester United, because Manchester United will officially delist from London Stock Exchange this August and complete privatization.
Malcolm Glazer will also officially announce that he will transfer the management rights of the team to his children, and his children have long been gearing up to reform (take over) the management of Manchester United.
Therefore, Ferguson will have a hard time next season.
The most direct impact is on the contracted players. Although Malcolm Glazer's sons will continue to respect his choice and may not veto his decision, they have begun to quietly take away the power of his old acquaintances.
Especially David·Gill, I heard that more than half of the power has been divided.
And those old scouts, and...
--
On the other hand, Zhang Kuang's agent has had many conversations with Manchester United's senior management. Manchester United's senior management hopes to sign a contract with Zhang Kuang for at least another three years, or even five years.
But Zhang Kuang refused. He felt that the current contract was very good and there was no need to renew it.
The senior management of Manchester United immediately understood that Zhang Kuang had no intention of sticking to Manchester United, but they still hoped that Zhang Kuang could continue to play at Manchester United for two or three years after Ferguson retired, and first stabilize the results after losing Ferguson.
But for Zhang Kuang, he will not stay on a team without a championship.
Don't think that the players haven't changed, just a head coach has been changed, and the championship will still be Manchester United. In fact, this is not the case at all.
The top management of Manchester United is seeking to allow Zhang Kuang to stay on the team for at least one year after Ferguson retires to ensure a smooth transition, so they have been in talks with Zhang Kuang's agent.
Other wealthy teams are also negotiating with Zhang Kuang's agent, aiming to poach Zhang Kuang.
These behind-the-scenes matters did not affect Manchester United's UEFA Champions League preparations for the war.
Zhang Kuang also had an in-depth conversation with his agent. The agent wanted to know what he thought?
The conversation between the two took place in the hotel room where Zhang Kuang lived. In the living room, Zhang Kuang made a cup of coffee for Jonathan·Le Brown.
Jonathan·Le Brown: "Zhang, what are you thinking? Glazer means that if you don't sign and don't promise to stay next season, they will have to make other plans."
Zhang Kuang: "Actually, my idea is very simple: if Ferguson continues to coach, I will continue to stay. If he retires, I will transfer and leave the team. This idea was already stated when I signed Manchester United. As long as Ferguson is not the head coach of Manchester United, I do not guarantee that I will continue to stay at Manchester United."
Jonathan·Le Brown: "Okay, then it looks like we have to re-screen the team. I heard that Ferguson will retire after this season. What are your thoughts on the future team? Real Madrid? Barcelona? Chelsea? Manchester City? Juventus? Inter Milan? Bayern Munich? Or?"
Jonathan Speaking of this, Zhang Kuang also has a big head.
Zhang Kuang: "To be honest, I don't know where to go. Barcelona can't go, and Real Madrid can't go either. I went, how can I get along with Cristiano Ronaldo? Bayern Munich can't do it either. I don't like Guardiola's football philosophy, Juventus...
Serie A has declined. When I went there, it didn't feel like I was going there to achieve my own goals. Instead, it seemed like I was going there to save Italy football.
Premier League's team... I feel like it would be better to stay in Manchester United, Manchester City if I go to Chelsea... Sigh, Liverpool is fine, but I played for Manchester United, and now I play for Liverpool. Why do I feel like a person without principles?
As for other leagues, such as Ligue 1, they will not be considered. As for La Liga and Bundesliga, except for the three teams Bayern Munich, Real Madrid, and Barcelona, there are no teams that are really worth going to.
So, Jonathan, where do you think I should go now? I'm a little confused myself, how about going to Juventus?"
Zhang Kuang said.
As a time traveler, he certainly knows the future market situation of each team. To be honest, if it is just to win the championship, maybe Juventus is the most suitable choice. Even if he goes, maybe UEFA Champions League will become the champion much easier.
But to save Serie A? Single-handedly bring Serie A back to the heights of the 1980s and 1990s? The center of world football?
Is it difficult?
The glory of a league cannot be established by just one or two stars. It requires the efforts of the entire league to finally win the favor of the market.
Jonathan: "Zhang, I don't understand why you don't want to stay at Manchester United. What does it matter if Ferguson retires? The main lineup of this team is still there. As long as you are in the team, you can still win the championship."
Zhang Kuang: "Jonathan, you have been in the football industry for so many years, what do you think a wealthy team relies on? Is it just the players? Players are the easiest to gather, as long as you have enough money, but cultural concepts are the most difficult."
Jonathan:"... Zhang, maybe you can share your thoughts."
Zhang Kuang: "In fact, cultural concepts are not complicated. That is, what is the fundamental reason for a team's success? Why can this team continue to win and become a giant?
For example, what is the foundation of Manchester United's success? Is it Glazer Family? No, Manchester United has changed its bosses several times, but Manchester United is still Manchester United.
The real reason for Manchester United's success is that the Manchester United dynasty was founded by Ferguson. Before Ferguson coached Manchester United, Manchester United had not won a championship in 26 years. Therefore, there is no Ferguson Manchester United Whoever replaced it would be doomed, because the cultural concept has changed since it was gone.
Just like Juventus, the foundation for Juventus to become a giant is Agnelli Family. As long as Agnelli Family continues to be in charge of Juventus, Juventus can change players, head coaches, or anyone else, and they can still ensure that Juventus continues to succeed.
Another example is Real Madrid, what is the foundation of Real Madrid? Is it the head coach? Is it a star player? Or is it the iron-fisted chairman? None of them. Can Real Madrid become a wealthy club? Because Real Madrid is the national symbol of Spain, the Spain representative of the fans, and Real Madrid's membership system design, etc.
There are also Barcelona, Bayern Munich, AC Milan, Inter Milan, etc. These teams can become giants because they each have their own cultural concepts, which can allow these teams to continue their glory for decades.
Why are Chelsea and Manchester City called nouveau riche? It's because they lack these things. Although they bought some temporary achievements with money, they lack foundation."
Jonathan smiled and nodded after hearing this, "So, do you think that as soon as Ferguson retires, the core of Manchester United will be lost and the entire team will break up?"
Zhang Kuang nodded. "Yes."
Jonathan: "Then if you are allowed to become the leader of the team, let you communicate with the head coach on behalf of the team, and even decide whether the head coach will stay or leave, is that okay?"
Jonathan's statement made Zhang Kuang's eyes freeze. This... he really hadn't thought about it.
This solution is feasible, but...
Is it necessary for him to help Glazer Family to make Manchester United continue to be great? Why? Just a salary of hundreds of thousands of pounds a week? He just works hard to help Glazer Family?
He Zhang Kuang is not the CEO of Manchester United who is applying for the job. He has to work hard for the club. He is just making money as a player. There is no need to sacrifice his heart and soul for Manchester United. He is not a die-hard fan of Manchester United, and he has no habit of being a dog to foreigners!
Thinking of this, Zhang Kuang smiled.
Zhang Kuang: "Jonathan, I am not the heir of the Glazer Family, why should I work so hard for Manchester United?"
Give me a salary increase of tens of thousands of pounds a week, and I have to help them do work worth tens of millions of pounds a week? I have no interest in that. If I were interested, I might as well buy my own team and be my own boss. I would be willing to do it with all my heart."
Jonathan smiled bitterly when he heard that, it is indeed like this, why? Zhang Kuang is just a player earning a weekly salary, why should he work hard for you Glazer Family?
Then he suddenly thought of something.
Jonathan: "You just said you bought the team? It just so happened that the owner of Newcastle United wanted to transfer the team at a low price, but it never sold. Let's see, do you want to..."
Zhang Kuang:"Huh? Newcastle wants to sell it?"
This makes Zhang Kuang very surprised. Is there really a team for sale? Or is it the Premier League team? Newcastle is fifth this season, beating Chelsea.
Jonathan: "Yes, their owner Mike Ashley had a huge conflict with the team's die-hard fans. Some die-hard fans threatened Mike Ashley that they would kill him if he came to the club again.
So he wanted to sell the team, and he only sold it for 100 million pounds. Moreover, Newcastle has clear equity in the team, and Mike Ashley also cleared the team's debt. Mike Since acquiring the team, he has invested 250 million pounds to make the team smooth in all aspects.
The current valuation of the team is 280 million pounds, the team's main lineup is not weak, and the results are good..."
Zhang Kuang frowned. "It's not my turn to have such a good asset, right? Many people should want it."
Jonathan: "Of course, there are many investors currently talking about acquisitions. However, there are problems with acquiring Newcastle. The most difficult obstacle standing in front of investors is the opposition of die-hard fans."
Zhang Kuang Suddenly, he rubbed his face, which was really numb.
What he is tied to is a system in which players upgrade to the realm of immortality when they win championships. He is not tied to a team owner's system. If he buys a team now, it will definitely affect his ability to win the championship.
Is this necessary?
Isn't it nice to be a comfortable player and keep winning championships and constantly upgrading to the realm of immortality? Why add extraneous matters?
There is a good saying: I am not afraid that you will become a prodigal, but I am afraid that you want to start a business!
There is a story circulating on Douyin in 2026: A man was unemployed at home for a year and spent more than 30,000 yuan. Then his wife thought he was not motivated and forced him to start a business, so he opened a shop.
After three months, he lost 300,000 yuan, and he wanted to quit. As a result, his wife and family members scolded him for not having perseverance. Then, a year later, he lost 700,000 yuan, mortgaged his house and car, and became a dishonest person.
This story tells everyone: It is obvious that you only need to lose 30,000 yuan a year, but you end up losing your family fortune just to make a 'career'.
Now Zhang Kuang is also facing this problem. It is clear that he only needs to be a good player, win championships, and upgrade to the realm of immortality, and then he has endless money to spend and endless sleep with women...
Is he going to do it all just to work for himself?
Not worth it!
Zhang Kuang let out a long sigh, "Jonathan, let me think about the acquisition of the team. As for the next company, there is really no good place to go, so choose Juventus. Help me negotiate a good price. If you save Serie A, just save Serie A. It doesn't matter."
Jonathan: "Ah? This... okay."
--
When Jonathan conveyed Zhang Kuang's intention to Manchester United's senior management, Manchester United's senior management was stunned, and Glazer's eldest son even dropped something.
I look down on their Glazer Family so much. Manchester United belongs to their Glazer Family. Why does this Zhang Kuang only recognize Ferguson? Why?
Finally, after the Glazer Family held a meeting, he decided to persuade Ferguson to stay for one more season, so that Manchester United could have a stable season after delisting. We could not let Manchester United's results go into big problems as soon as Manchester United was privatized, and the fans would not spare their family lightly.
After at least one year of stability, even if Manchester United's performance is really not as good as before, the fans' resentment will not be directed at the privatization of the team, nor at their team.
So when Ferguson knew the causes and consequences, he was really speechless.
He couldn't retire peacefully even if he wanted to? Why did they have to look for him?
You need to have a good talk with Zhang Kuang, listen to his thoughts, and see if you can convince Zhang Kuang. In fact, Moyes is a good coach. Since Zhang Kuang recognizes him so much, he should be able to convince Zhang Kuang, right?
So, Ferguson called Zhang Kuang to the office the next day...