Manchester United's management and Ferguson: We've been fooled by these lousy r

Chapter 87 Manchester United's management and Ferguson: We've been fooled by these lousy reporters!

May 15th, the final round of the 2009-10 French Ligue 5 season.

Auxerre will play away against Sochaux.

This match had no impact on the standings – Auxerre had already secured the title, while Sochaux was ranked eleventh, safe from relegation, and out of contention for European qualification.

The match was held at Sochaux's home stadium, the Auguste Bonnard Stadium, with fewer than 10,000 spectators in attendance.

Zhang Kuang sat on the bench, wearing a substitute's vest, with a calm expression.

He did not start.

In the first half, Auxerre played without any strategy or structure.

Without the presence of a dominant figure in the attacking third, Auxerre's attack seemed to have lost its soul. Humbert desperately tried to organize play in midfield, but the ball was intercepted as soon as it reached the attacking third.

Sochaux played very relaxed and created several threats on counter-attacks, but his finishing touch was lacking.

Halftime score: 0-0.

At the start of the second half, Zhang Kuang was still sitting on the bench.

Fernandez stood on the sidelines, hands in his pockets, his expression calm.

In the 60th minute, Zhang Kuang began warming up. Some Auxerre fans in the stands saw him and started chanting his name.

"Zhang! Zhang! Zhang!"

'

But Fernandez did not substitute him in.

In the 70th minute, Zhang Kuang returned to the bench.

In the 80th minute, Fernandez used all three of his substitutions—none of which were for him.

Zhang Kuang sat there for a full ninety minutes.

The final whistle blew, 0-0.

This was an extremely boring match. Neither side had any fighting spirit; both were afraid of getting injured, and both were just going through the motions.

After the game, Zhang Kuang walked onto the court and hugged each of his teammates.

Humbert hugged him the tightest.

"Zhang." His voice choked with emotion, "I'll miss you."

"I'll miss you too." Zhang Kuang patted his back.

Pedretti walked over and hugged Zhang Kuang.

"Captain, thank you," Zhang Kuang said.

"No, Zhang," Pedretti said, "we are the ones who should thank you."

His teammates gathered around, hugging him one after another. Some of them had tears in their eyes.

Zhang Kuang didn't cry like a child, but his eyes were a little moist.

This half-season, though short, was truly wonderful.

As he walked off the field, reporters stopped him.

"Zhang, you didn't play in the last game. Was it because you were leaving the team?"

Zhang Kuang glanced at him.

"Ask Coach Fernandez about this."

He pushed past the reporters and walked into the players' tunnel.

At the post-match press conference, Fernandez was surrounded by reporters.

"Mr. Fernandez, why didn't Zhang Kuang play?"

"This is a tactical arrangement," Fernandez said calmly.

"But he sat on the bench for a full ninety minutes without playing a single minute. Is it because he's leaving the team and they don't want to give him another chance to play?"

"I told you, this is a tactical arrangement." Fernandez's tone became more serious. "The season's outcome is already decided. He doesn't need to score goals to compete for the Golden Boot. He's been exhausted for half a season, and he just needs a rest in the last game."

"But this explanation is far-fetched."

"Far-fetched?" Fernandez glanced at the reporter. "If you say it's far-fetched, then it's far-fetched. I'm the head coach; my job is to arrange tactics and lineups. I don't need to explain my decisions to anyone."

"Are you satisfied with today's result? No goals, no threatening passes, the players were just strolling around the field, there was no spiritual leader—"

"I'm very satisfied with getting a point in the last round. I'm extremely satisfied with the players; without them, we wouldn't have won the double. Okay, that's all for my answer."

After saying that, he stood up and left the press conference.

The reporters looked at each other in bewilderment.

That same evening, France 1, Sky Sports Italy, and RMCSport simultaneously released a joint interview video with the arrogant Zhang Kuang.

In the video, Zhang Kuang sits on a sofa, talking eloquently to four beautiful female reporters.

Will France be eliminated in the group stage?

"Is Italy going to fail to advance from the group stage?"

"Brazil will likely reach at most the quarterfinals, and struggle to win the title for at least the next four editions?"

"England in the Round of 16?"

"Will Spain win the final against the Netherlands?"

"Are the four semifinalists Spain, the Netherlands, Germany, and Uruguay?"

"

'

These words exploded like bombs in European football.

The next morning, sports media across Europe were reporting on the outrageous "World Cup prediction."

L'Équipe's headline was: "Arrogance: France eliminated in the group stage - Chinese striker's crazy prediction."

The headline in Gazzetta dello Sport was: "Arrogant pessimism about Italy: defending champions eliminated in the group stage."

Bild's headline was relatively restrained: "Outrageous World Cup predictions: Germany, Spain, Netherlands, and Uruguay in the semifinals."

The Sun's headline was as sensational as ever: "China's arrogant statement: England's European China team, go home in the round of 16!"

Marca's headline was sarcastic: "Chinese kids teach Brazil how to play football: Your tactics are outdated, you'll only make it to the quarterfinals at best."

Brazil's Globo Esporte reacted most strongly, with the headline: "Chinese, learn to play football before commenting on Brazil."

Argentina's Olé newspaper went even further, criticizing Maradona: "Arrogance is too young. He doesn't even understand football but he's pretending to understand tactical analysis."

The report quoted Maradona as saying, "Zhang Kuang is a very promising young man, but his understanding of football is still too superficial. Argentina has Messi, Higuain, Aguero, and Tevez—the most formidable attacking line in the world. No one can stop us. We will win the championship!!!"

When Zhang Kuang saw the report, he was having breakfast in his Paris apartment with three of the nine young and promising team members introduced by Mathilda.

He smiled and put down his phone.

"Maradona said I don't understand football," he said to the three women.

The three women exchanged a glance and then smiled.

"Do you understand?" one of them asked.

Zhang Kuang picked up a piece of bread and took a bite.

"Of course I don't understand, what do I know? But I do know a lot about this ball. Come on, let's finish our food, get some energy back, and then we'll continue."

"All we need is for you to understand this ball!"

"Can I rest a little longer? My legs are too weak to stand."

"Then you can be last in line—"

His arrogant "World Cup prediction" has stirred up a storm in the global football world that is even more intense than he anticipated.

The French newspaper L'Équipe published a second commentary titled: "Arrogant 'prediction' is an insult to French football."

The article states: "What right does a Chinese player who has played half a season in Ligue 1 have to criticize the French team? The French team has Ribery, Henry, Anelka, Malouda, Evra, and Gallas—it's a world-class lineup."

The team was eliminated? Ridiculous.

The Italian newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport invited several former players to comment on the arrogant remarks.

Former Italian international Giancarlo Antonioni said, "Italy is indeed old, but there are advantages to being old. We have experience, tactical awareness, and a championship pedigree. Group stage exit? No way."

Brazil, on the other hand, reacted the most strongly.

When football legend Pelé was stopped by a reporter, he was asked what he thought of Zhang Kuang's boast that "Brazil will at most reach the quarterfinals."

Pele smiled and said, "Young people always like to say surprising things."

"So how far do you think Brazil can go?"

"Brazil is always the favorite to win," Pelé said. "We will make it to the final."

The reporter pressed further, "And what about the champion?"

Pelé's smile widened: "The championship also belongs to Brazil."

When Zhang Kuang saw this interview with Pele, he couldn't help but laugh out loud.

He knew about Pele's "jinx" theory.

Whoever Pele favors is doomed.

Now Brazilian fans can start preparing to buy their plane tickets home.

Argentina's Olé newspaper added fuel to the fire by inviting an Argentine football commentator who launched a ten-minute tirade against Zhang Kuang.

"An 18-year-old kid who's only played in Ligue 1 for half a year dares to criticize Argentina? Does he know anything about Argentine football history? Does he even know who Maradona is?"

Does he even know how good Messi is? He knows nothing! He's just an arrogant clown!

The host asked him, "How far can Argentina go?"

"At least a semi-final appearance! With Messi on the team, we're the favorites to win the title!"

Zhang Kuang was in a meeting with Jonathan when he saw the video.

"Zhang, you've really messed up this time," Jonathan said. "Look at the media's reaction, they're practically ready to devour you."

"Let them shout," Zhang Kuang said. "They'll find out when the World Cup starts."

"Are you that confident in your prediction?"

"It's not confidence," Zhang Kuang said. "It's because I've read the script."

Jonathan thought he was joking and laughed twice.

"Where's the script? Can I see it? Who gave you the script?"

"Alright, let's get down to business. The contract negotiations with Manchester United are almost complete. They've agreed to all the conditions you mentioned."

What about salary adjustment clauses?

"They agreed. The contract will include a clause that your salary will always remain second in the Manchester United squad. If any other player's salary exceeds your contract amount, Manchester United will automatically adjust your salary."

Manchester United also agreed to a clause regarding your private life. "As long as you don't drink excessively on match days and it doesn't affect training or matches, the club will not interfere with your private life."

"it is good."

"They are no longer willing to compromise on portrait rights."

"Is everything alright now?"

"Then sign it."

"Okay," Jonathan said. "Then let's sign a preliminary agreement first, and officially sign the contract on July 1st."

""

"What about Auxerre? Where's my work permit?"

"Don't worry, they'll take care of it all at once."

"OK."

"By the way, what about your predictions in the media? You really don't care?"

"Don't worry about it. Let them curse all they want. Don't fret, they'll all be calling me a god eventually."

Having dealt with all this mess, I'll put everything else aside and enjoy this rare vacation.

No, I can't enjoy this holiday, I have to work hard to earn Qi and Blood Points!

On the same day, Zidane was stopped by reporters in Madrid.

"Zidane, what do you think of Zhang's arrogant prediction?"

Zidane raised an eyebrow, cleverly pretending not to know.

"What prediction?"

He said the French team would be eliminated in the group stage.

Zidane was silent for two seconds.

"Zhang is a very talented young man," he said. "I've watched him play in Ligue 1, and his goal-scoring ability is outstanding."

"Do you think his prediction makes sense?"

Zidane: "The ball is round," he said. "Anything is possible."

The reporter pressed further, "How far do you think the French team can go?"

Zidane shook his head.

"I don't make predictions," he said. "I just hope the French team can play their best."

After saying that, he turned and left.

French media interpreted this answer as "Zidane has no confidence in the French team."

Italian Fabio Cannavaro was also stopped by reporters.

"Zhang Kuang says Italy will be eliminated in the group stage, what do you think?"

Cannavaro smiled.

"Zhang is a very promising young man, and I really like his style of play: direct, efficient, and impactful."

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"Do you think his prediction is correct?"

Cannavaro shook his head.

"I disagree. We are the defending champions, and we are confident in defending our title. Although the group stage will be tough, we are certain we will advance."

"How far can you go?"

"I hope to be the champion."

The reporter pressed further: "What do you think is Italy's biggest problem?"

Cannavaro paused.

"Age? I don't think age is a problem. Experience is a treasure."

He smiled, turned around, and got into the car.

On the English side, Rooney was stopped by reporters.

"Zhang arrogantly calls England 'Europe's China,' saying they'll at best reach the round of 16. What's your opinion?"

Rooney's expression was complex, showing dissatisfaction, helplessness, and something else he couldn't quite put his finger on.

"Zhang Kuang is a very interesting young man," he said. "When he comes to Manchester United, I will show him the strength of English players."

"You mean Manchester United are already set to sign the 'Crazy'? And England can go further in the World Cup?"

"Of course," Rooney said. "We have the best league in the world, the best players in the world. We can reach the semi-finals."

Do you think this arrogant prediction is a provocation against England?

Rooney shook his head.

"No, I don't think so," he said. "He's just—too young. Some things shouldn't be said."

Before the reporter could press for more questions, Rooney had already pushed the microphone away and walked off.

BBC: "Rooney: We'll talk about it when the 'madman' arrives at Manchester United! Reporter: Is Manchester United confirmed to sign the 'madman'? Rooney: Of course!"

Ferguson was also stopped by reporters.

"Sir, your new player is arrogantly saying England will only reach the Round of 16 at best. What do you think?"

Ferguson rubbed his forehead.

"Everyone has the right to express their opinion," he said. "Opinions are opinions, and facts are facts. We'll all know after the World Cup."

Do you think his boastful predictions will affect his relationships in the Manchester United dressing room?

Ferguson shook his head.

"No," he said. "In the Manchester United dressing room, it's all about performance, not predictions. If he scores, he's a good player. If he doesn't score, nothing he says matters."

When the reporter tried to press for more information, Ferguson waved his hand.

"Alright, let's talk about the World Cup after it starts."

The Sun: "Ferguson: Boastful predictions won't affect his relationships in the Manchester United dressing room!"

Afterwards, Manchester United's management and Ferguson realized: Damn, we've been tricked by these reporters; they've managed to get the transfer information out of us.