Chapter Summaries

Manchester United and Barcelona traded attacks in an intense Champions League semifinal first half, with Zhang Kuang and Messi each scoring. The half ended level at 1-1 after both sides created further chances.

• Rooney crossed for Hernández in the 14th minute, but Valdés blocked his sliding shot, and play briefly stopped after a fan threw a plastic bottle.
• Zhang Kuang beat several Barcelona defenders and scored a powerful shot in the 19th minute to put Manchester United ahead 1-0.
• Barcelona pressed for an equalizer, and Messi chipped De Gea in the 34th minute after Xavi sent him through, making it 1-1.
• Hernández missed a chance after Zhang Kuang set him up, then Valdés tipped Hernández’s header over the bar in the 41st minute.
• Piqué cleared Zhang Kuang’s goal-bound header off the line, while Messi later shot just wide and De Gea punched away Xavi’s free kick.
• The referee ended the first half with Manchester United and Barcelona tied 1-1.

Zhang Kuang urged Ferguson to disrupt Barcelona by cutting Xavi off from the ball, then scored a 2.5-second counterattack to give Manchester United a 2-1 lead. Barcelona struggled to respond as injuries, fouls, and a disputed dive interrupted the match.

• At halftime, Zhang Kuang told Ferguson that Xavi was Barcelona’s irreplaceable midfield core and that United should disrupt his play.
• In the second half, Carrick and Giggs marked Xavi, while Zhang Kuang broke down the left and crossed for Rooney, who shot over.
• De Gea launched a long pass that Zhang Kuang controlled, fought past Alves and Piqué, and chipped over Valdés to put United ahead 2-1.
• Busquets stepped on Giggs’s ankle, forcing Ferguson to replace him with Park Ji-sung.
• Messi threatened United’s goal, but De Gea gathered the ball, and Evra later received a yellow card for fouling Pedro.
• Busquets dragged Carrick down and then fell clutching his face without being touched, drawing boos from the crowd and criticism from commentators.

Manchester United defeated Barcelona 4-1 in the first leg of their Champions League semifinal, with Zhang Kuang scoring a hat trick and Rooney adding a goal. United took a commanding lead to Camp Nou, though Barcelona’s away goal left the tie open.

• De Gea saved long-range efforts from Iniesta and Xavi as Barcelona pressed, while Park Ji-sung won the ball from Busquets and set up Zhang Kuang’s solo run and 3-1 goal.
• Fàbregas replaced Busquets, and Carrick received a yellow card for bringing down Iniesta.
• After Pogba won the ball from Fàbregas, Rooney and Welbeck combined, and Rooney scored the rebound to make it 4-1.
• Barcelona made their remaining substitutions, while De Gea saved further shots from Messi and Fàbregas and Piqué received a yellow card for fouling Zhang Kuang.
• Miguel Rojo blew the final whistle, confirming Manchester United’s 4-1 win, with Zhang Kuang scoring three goals and Messi scoring Barcelona’s goal.

Zhang Kuang’s hat trick led Manchester United to a 4-1 win over Barcelona in the UEFA Champions League semifinal first leg, drawing worldwide attention and prompting Real Madrid to consider signing him. As the teams prepared for their next fixtures, Ferguson asked Zhang Kuang to score more in the upcoming Football Association Cup semifinal.

• Zhang Kuang received the Man of the Match trophy after scoring a hat trick, then ran shirtless to salute the fans with the match ball.
• Ferguson praised Zhang Kuang’s performance at the press conference, while Guardiola admitted Barcelona had failed to stop him and said they needed to find a way before the second leg.
• On Barcelona’s flight home, Guardiola encouraged Messi to focus on himself as Messi read a headline comparing him unfavorably with Zhang Kuang.
• Mourinho called Florentino and urged Real Madrid to buy Zhang Kuang, arguing that his ability and commercial appeal made him worth the cost.
• Media outlets and fans around the world celebrated Zhang Kuang’s performance, while transfer estimates placed his value at €180 million.
• At Carrington on April 20, Ferguson told Zhang Kuang to score more in Manchester United’s upcoming Football Association Cup semifinal, and Zhang agreed.

Manchester United faced Tottenham Hotspur in the Football Association Cup semifinal at Wembley, where Zhang Kuang scored twice to give United a 2-0 lead before Ber pulled one back with a spectacular shot. At halftime, United led 2-1, with Zhang Kuang having narrowly missed a first-half hat trick.

• Before the match, Harry Redknapp joked that Tottenham’s defenders would have a nightmare, while Ferguson said Manchester United had come to Wembley to win.
• Tottenham started brightly, but Zhang Kuang scored in the eighteenth minute after racing onto Carrick’s long pass and beating Friedel.
• Zhang Kuang headed in Rooney’s cross in the twenty-ninth minute to put Manchester United 2-0 ahead.
• Ber cut inside and scored a long-range goal in the thirty-fourth minute, reducing Tottenham’s deficit to 2-1.
• Ferdinand cleared Adebayor’s follow-up off the goal line after De Gea spilled Ber’s shot, and Friedel later denied Zhang Kuang a first-half hat trick.
• Manchester United went into halftime leading Tottenham Hotspur 2-1.

Manchester United beat Tottenham Hotspur 3-1 to reach the Football Association Cup final, with Zhang Kuang scoring twice and assisting Hernández’s goal. The story then turned to Manchester United’s league match against Everton, which began at Old Trafford.

• Zhang Kuang set up Hernández’s goal in the 58th minute, giving Manchester United a 3-1 lead over Tottenham Hotspur.
• Ferguson substituted Zhang Kuang to a standing ovation, and Manchester United held on to win 3-1 and advance to the final against Liverpool.
• Redknapp praised Zhang Kuang after the defeat, while Zhang Kuang said Manchester United would beat Liverpool again, drawing angry reactions from Liverpool fans.
• Manchester United prepared to host Everton, with Ferguson resting Ferdinand and starting Evans and Smalling at center-back while keeping Zhang Kuang in the lineup.
• Everton and Manchester United entered the pitch at Old Trafford, and referee Phil Dowd blew the whistle to start the match.

Manchester United drew 4-4 with Everton in a chaotic match, with Zhang Kuang and Hernández each scoring twice as Everton repeatedly equalized. The result exposed Manchester United’s defensive struggles, while Zhang Kuang recognized that the match’s strange circumstances had been arranged and watched Moyes claim credit afterward.

• Everton threatened early, but Zhang Kuang scored from distance to put Manchester United ahead before Cahill equalized with a header.
• Zhang Kuang crossed for Hernández to restore the lead, Fellaini equalized, and Zhang Kuang scored again from Rooney’s through ball to make it 3-2 at halftime.
• Baines’s deflected shot and an Anderson own goal twice brought Everton level after Hernández scored again for Manchester United.
• Rooney missed a late one-on-one chance, and the teams finished 4-4 as Zhang Kuang was substituted near the end.
• Ferguson blamed fatigue and bad luck at the press conference, while Moyes praised Everton’s performance and discussed Manchester United’s defensive weaknesses.

Manchester United prepared to face Barcelona at Camp Nou with a 4-1 first-leg lead, while Zhang Kuang faced racist abuse and threats from Barcelona supporters. The match was suspended before kickoff after fans threw objects at Zhang Kuang, and Ferguson demanded UEFA address the incident.

• Manchester United remained eighteen points ahead in the Premier League, while fans of rival clubs discussed Zhang Kuang possibly leaving when Moyes took charge.
• Zhang Kuang told reporters he would not make promises about hypothetical future events such as renewing his contract or leaving Manchester United.
• Ahead of the semifinal second leg, Guardiola discussed Barcelona's plans to contain Zhang Kuang, while Ferguson warned he would take United off the pitch if fans threw objects at him.
• At Camp Nou, a Barcelona fan threw a banana toward Zhang Kuang, who picked it up and gestured as if feeding it back to the supporter.
• Fans threw bottles, lighters, and coins onto the pitch, forcing referee Wolfgang Stark to suspend proceedings while security cleared the field.
• Ferguson demanded an explanation from UEFA, while broadcasters condemned the racist abuse and fans argued online.

Manchester United faced Barcelona amid hostility toward Zhang Kuang, and the sides traded early goals at Camp Nou. Xavi’s deflected strike put Barcelona ahead again, leaving Manchester United with a two-goal aggregate lead as the match continued.

• Barcelona fans booed Zhang Kuang throughout the match, while online arguments erupted over a Barcelona player throwing a banana at him.
• Messi scored from Xavi’s through ball in the seventh minute to put Barcelona ahead 1-0 and make the aggregate score 2-4.
• Zhang Kuang shot narrowly over the bar, then argued with Piqué after their confrontation; the referee warned Piqué but showed no card.
• Ashley Young won the ball and passed to Zhang Kuang, who dribbled past Barcelona’s defense and Valdés to equalize in the nineteenth minute, making the aggregate score 2-5.
• Xavi’s long-range shot deflected off Evans and beat De Gea, putting Barcelona ahead 2-1 and reducing Manchester United’s aggregate lead to 5-3.

Zhang Kuang scored twice and assisted Hernández as Manchester United beat Barcelona 3-2 away and advanced to the UEFA Champions League final with a 7-3 aggregate victory. Ferguson substituted Zhang Kuang in the 67th minute, leaving Zhang Kuang and the commentators puzzled, and the chapter ended with Manchester United awaiting the winner of Bayern Munich versus Real Madrid.

• In the 34th minute, Zhang Kuang switched positions with Hernández, beat Abidal and Mascherano, and chipped the ball past Valdés to equalize at 2-2.
• After halftime, Zhang Kuang crossed from the left in the 52nd minute, and Hernández slid the ball into the net to put Manchester United ahead 3-2.
• In the 58th minute, Guardiola brought on Fàbregas for Busquets, and Messi later tested De Gea with a long-range shot.
• In the 67th minute, Ferguson substituted Zhang Kuang for Welbeck, and Zhang Kuang left the pitch bewildered as commentators wondered why he had been taken off.
• Barcelona made late substitutions and attacked, but De Gea saved Messi's attempts as Manchester United held on to win 3-2 and advance 7-3 on aggregate.
• Manchester United qualified for the UEFA Champions League final against either Bayern Munich or Real Madrid.

After Manchester United eliminated Barcelona from the Champions League semifinals, Zhang Kuang criticized Barcelona’s fans and players, while Guardiola and Ferguson discussed the match at their press conferences. Zhang Kuang then watched Real Madrid face Bayern Munich and was surprised to find Chinese fans eagerly embracing Zhang Lu’s endless praise of his statistics.

• Zhang Kuang condemned Barcelona’s hostile fans and dirty play in an interview, and said he would never join the club.
• Guardiola admitted Barcelona had no answer for Zhang Kuang, while Ferguson defended substituting him to rest him and protect him from hostile fans.
• Newspapers and social media celebrated Manchester United’s 7-3 aggregate victory, Zhang Kuang’s performance, and Barcelona’s elimination.
• Zhang Kuang watched the Real Madrid–Bayern Munich semifinal with the women at his hotel and predicted Bayern would advance, while speculating that football needed balance.
• Zhang Kuang listened as commentators He Wei and Zhang Lu praised his statistics, then read Chinese fans’ enthusiastic online reactions and felt baffled by their obsession.

Zhang Kuang watched Bayern Munich eliminate Real Madrid on penalties before turning his attention to Manchester United’s derby against Manchester City. He scored twice in the first half at the Etihad, leaving Manchester United ahead 2-1.

• Neuer saved penalties from Cristiano Ronaldo and Kaká as Bayern Munich beat Real Madrid 3-1 in the shootout and advanced to the Champions League final.
• Mancini and Ferguson discussed the Manchester derby, with Manchester City seeking a league double and Manchester United already crowned champions.
• Manchester City began aggressively, but Zhang Kuang beat several defenders and scored from Ashley Young’s pass to give Manchester United an eighth-minute lead.
• Kompany headed in Silva’s corner to equalize for Manchester City in the nineteenth minute.
• Rooney crossed from the right in the thirty-fourth minute, and Zhang Kuang headed past Joe Hart to restore Manchester United’s lead.

Manchester United defeated Manchester City 3-2 away, with Zhang Kuang scoring a hat trick and extending United’s league record to 104 points. After the match, Zhang Kuang said he had not aimed for 100 league goals and asked people not to expect him to score five times in each of the final two rounds.

• United led City 2-1 at halftime after both teams traded attacks, and the commentators discussed City’s attacking strength and the role of tactics.
• City equalized in the 53rd minute when Tevez followed up Agüero’s header and scored past De Gea.
• Zhang Kuang threatened again before United counterattacked in the 67th minute, combining with Hernández to score his third goal and put United ahead 3-2.
• Ferguson substituted Zhang Kuang and later reinforced United’s defense as City pressed, but De Gea stopped their late attempts and United won 3-2.
• After the match, Zhang Kuang said he had scored 90 league goals and had not considered reaching 100, calling five goals per match in the final two rounds too difficult.

Manchester United prepared for the Football Association Cup final against Liverpool, then took an early lead through Wayne Rooney after Hernández assisted him. The chapter ended as a replay raised questions about why Spearing had grabbed Zhang Kuang and feigned a blow to the face.

• Ferguson said Manchester United were satisfied with their derby victory, while Mancini argued that Manchester City could eventually replace them as Premier League champions.
• Zhang Kuang predicted Manchester United would beat Liverpool in the Football Association Cup final, prompting angry reactions from Liverpool fans and cheers from United supporters.
• Dalglish and Ferguson discussed their preparations, and both teams arrived at Wembley for the final.
• Howard Webb started the match, and Liverpool threatened early when Suárez shot at De Gea in the fourth minute.
• In the eleventh minute, Hernández passed to Rooney, who volleyed Manchester United into a 1-0 lead.
• A replay showed Spearing holding Zhang Kuang as he ran forward, then covering his face despite Zhang Kuang appearing not to have struck him.

Manchester United defeated Liverpool 4-2 in the 2011-12 Football Association Cup final, with Zhang Kuang and Rooney both scoring twice. After Liverpool repeatedly pulled goals back through Suárez, Manchester United held on through the final whistle and won the cup.

• Zhang Kuang scored from outside the area to give Manchester United a 2-0 lead, and Reina later saved his header.
• Agger injured his ankle and was replaced by Carragher before Suárez scored from Gerrard's corner to make it 2-1 at halftime.
• Ashley Young's free kick set up Zhang Kuang's second goal, but Suárez soon scored again to reduce Liverpool's deficit to 3-2.
• Zhang Kuang sent a cross-field pass to Rooney, who scored to put Manchester United 4-2 ahead.
• Ferguson made late substitutions as Manchester United defended Liverpool's attacks, and the final whistle confirmed Manchester United's cup victory.

Manchester United beat Liverpool 4-2 to win the Football Association Cup, then celebrated the trophy before defeating Swansea 3-0 in their final home match. Zhang Kuang scored a hat trick to reach 93 league goals, leaving him seven short of 100 with one match remaining.

• Zhang Kuang and Rooney each scored twice as Manchester United beat Liverpool 4-2 to win the Football Association Cup, and the team received its medals and trophy.
• Zhang Kuang, Rooney, Gerrard, Ferguson, and Dalglish gave post-match interviews, while newspapers praised Manchester United's victory and Zhang Kuang's scoring record.
• Manchester United celebrated the cup win with a parade in Manchester on May 6.
• Manchester United players passed to Zhang Kuang in their match against Swansea, but Swansea parked the bus to limit their chances.
• Zhang Kuang scored three goals and Hernández scored one as Manchester United beat Swansea 4-0, bringing Zhang Kuang's league total to 93.
• Zhang Kuang scored a hat trick against Swansea in the account of the match at Old Trafford, giving Manchester United a 3-0 win and leaving him seven goals short of 100 before the final round.

Zhang Kuang scored twice in Manchester United’s 2-0 win over Sunderland, finishing the league season with a record 95 goals as Ferguson weighed retirement. Zhang Kuang told his agent he would leave if Ferguson retired and considered Juventus or buying Newcastle United; the Glazer Family tried to persuade Ferguson to stay, and Ferguson called Zhang Kuang to his office.

• Zhang Kuang scored twice before being substituted in the 50th minute, and Manchester United beat Sunderland 2-0 to finish with a record 110 points.
• Zhang Kuang’s agent, Jonathan Leblanc, learned that Zhang would leave Manchester United if Ferguson retired, and Zhang explained that he doubted the club could succeed without Ferguson’s leadership and culture.
• Jonathan told Zhang that Newcastle United was for sale, and Zhang said he would consider buying the club while naming Juventus as a possible destination if no better option emerged.
• After hearing Zhang’s wishes, the Glazer Family decided to ask Ferguson to stay for another season to steady Manchester United after its privatization.
• Ferguson, who had hoped to retire, decided to speak with Zhang Kuang and called him into his office the next day.

Zhang Kuang told Ferguson he intended to leave Manchester United after Ferguson retired, predicting the club would decline under any successor. As the 2011-12 Champions League final against Bayern Munich approached, news of Ferguson’s retirement and Zhang Kuang’s possible transfer spread, and the chapter ended with the stadium packed and kickoff near.

• Zhang Kuang told Ferguson he would leave Manchester United when Ferguson retired, saying the club’s dynasty would end without him and that he did not trust Moyes to replace him.
• Zhang Kuang predicted Manchester City would win the league soon, Liverpool could recover, and Manchester United would spend years outside the title race; Ferguson asked him to prepare for the final.
• Heynckes said Bayern Munich were prepared to face Manchester United, while Ferguson dismissed reports that he would retire and Zhang Kuang would leave next season, though he confirmed both could happen.
• After the press conference, reports about Ferguson’s retirement and Zhang Kuang’s transfer plans spread, and clubs contacted Jonathan about signing Zhang Kuang.
• Fans and celebrities gathered in Munich for the final, with the Allianz Arena filling with Bayern Munich, Manchester United, and Zhang Kuang supporters.
• Martin Tyler and Gary Neville previewed Bayern Munich against Manchester United, with Neville backing Manchester United to win and noting Bayern’s injuries and the difficulty of stopping Zhang Kuang.

Manchester United faced Bayern Munich in the 2011-12 Champions League final at the Allianz Arena, where Zhang Kuang scored twice in the opening fourteen minutes. Bayern trailed 2-0 as the chapter ended, with Manchester United exploiting the space behind their advancing defense.

• He Wei and Zhang Lu previewed the final, and the teams announced their starting lineups before both sides entered the Allianz Arena.
• Bayern Munich attacked early, but De Gea gathered Robben's second-minute shot.
• Zhang Kuang beat Schweinsteiger and Lahm before firing a long-range shot that Neuer tipped over the bar.
• Zhang Kuang headed Giggs's corner into the net in the seventh minute to put Manchester United ahead.
• After Carrick intercepted the ball and sent a long pass forward, Zhang Kuang raced past Lahm and scored again in the fourteenth minute, making it 2-0.

Manchester United led Bayern Munich 3-1 at halftime in the Champions League final after Zhang Kuang assisted Ashley Young with a spectacular hooked recovery and rabona pass. As Bayern’s players left the pitch, Neuer glared furiously at Zhang Kuang, and the match remained unresolved.

• Bayern fans threw objects onto the pitch after their team fell two goals behind, prompting Rizzoli to suspend play while security cleared the area.
• De Gea saved Gómez’s close-range header, and Zhang Kuang then set up a counterattack that ended with Rooney shooting over the bar.
• Schweinsteiger received a yellow card for fouling Giggs, and Gómez scored from Robben’s cross to make it 2-1.
• Zhang Kuang’s free kick struck the goal frame, and Robben later sent a shot just wide as Bayern pressed for an equalizer.
• Zhang Kuang hooked Hernández’s overhit pass back and delivered a rabona pass for Ashley Young to score Manchester United’s third goal.
• Manchester United held their 3-1 lead through halftime, while Neuer left the pitch glaring furiously at Zhang Kuang.