Southampton kicked off first.

Lallana, who was in the center circle, knocked the ball back to Gu Ran in the backcourt, and then slowly moved towards Manchester United's half.

After getting the ball, Gu Ran was not in a hurry. Instead, he patiently passed the ball back and forth with Lambert and Mikel in the midfield and backcourt, waiting for Manchester United to press forward and then looking for opportunities.

This is also a typical defensive counterattack style of play - defensive counterattack style of play is not a tactic that is only used when the opponent is attacking. When you have the ball and the opponent adopts high pressure, defensive counterattack is also one of the very effective response methods.

Rooney the Fat Boy ran towards Gu Ran, ready to use his body to steal the ball.

Gu Ran was not in a hurry to confront Rooney, but immediately transferred the ball to the left and handed it to Chamberlain who had already advanced. Then, Gu Ran started quickly, brushed Rooney's shoulder, and accelerated to run without the ball towards Manchester United's half.

Rooney didn't have time to slow down and turn around, and Gu Ran easily shook him off.

Rooney did not chase after Gu Ran. After all, as a center forward, he did not have too many defensive responsibilities.

What's more, Coach Ferguson had already made tactical arrangements, and Park Ji-sung was responsible for marking Gu Ran.

When Gu Ran was about to cross the center line, Park Ji-sung quickly came up to him with harassing movements with his hands and feet.

Gu Ran did not tolerate Park Ji-sung at all. While he was harassing Park Ji-sung with his body, he reached out to Chamberlain for the ball.

At this time, Chamberlain was being defended by Nani and was unable to break through. Seeing Gu Ran getting in position, he immediately used his best emergency stop to create a time difference for Nani, and then knocked the ball horizontally to the middle.

However, Manchester United's midfield is not loose! Fletch cut in from the middle and tackled the ball halfway! Gu Ran could have run over and taken the ball away before Fran cut his foot, but Park Ji-sung followed behind Gu Ran and kept pulling him with his hands.

Just a little bit slower, Fletcher completed the tackle.

Fortunately, Fletcher only shoveled the ball towards Southampton's half and did not get possession of the ball.

The next second, Lambert quickly retreated to chase the ball, acting as the defensive midfielder behind Gu Ran.

However, Hernandez's speed and agility were obviously faster than Lambert's. As soon as Lambert touched the ball and before he could pass it, Hernandez dribbled past Lambert and took the ball away with his foot.

Lambert quickly turned around and chased after Little Pea, but Little Pea was too fast, and Lambert couldn't catch up even if he tried his best to feed his baby! The other players of Manchester United immediately pressed forward! At this time, Gu Ran also had to retreat to chase and assist in defense.

Mikel saw the right position and rushed up to intercept Little Pea.

With Little Pea's physical condition, he is no match for Mikel, the beast-waisted man.

The Little Pea then turned his toes inward in front of Mikel, and then turned his toes inward again, and playfully passed Mikel.

Manchester United's Red Devils fans were all excited! As soon as the game started, Little Pea showed them the splendor of Manchester United!

Mikel couldn't stand such humiliation, and immediately slid forward from behind to tackle! But... Little Pea was too fast! Mikel's fierce sliding tackle actually missed! Just as Little Pea was about to continue to dribble towards Southampton's half, Gu Ran sprinted back like lightning, and the central defender Font also rushed up to double-team Little Pea.

Little Pea wanted to change his line by turning his left and right feet inward, but Gu Ran directly blocked Little Pea's hips, making it impossible for Little Pea to change his line and speed up! Little Pea never expected that Gu Ran could chase him from such a long distance, and block his position right from the start. Facing Gu Ran's strong physical pressure, Little Pea could only barely kick and pass the ball directly into Southampton's penalty area——

Rooney, who was well prepared, made a fierce header and headed the ball into Southampton's net!

The Manchester United fans at the scene were all crazy! One minute into the game! Rooney assisted Rooney and scored a dreamy and smooth goal! But... the linesman raised the flag for this goal!

The Southampton fans celebrated happily as if they had survived a disaster.

Although they escaped danger, it must be said that Manchester United's attack was too sharp - and this was not Manchester United's most proud attacking method, as Manchester United's two wingers had not really started yet.

Southampton's way of creating offside can be easily broken by Manchester United's two wings flying down the bottom and passing the ball.

The game continues.

Southampton goalkeeper Davis took the goal kick.

Davis still passed the ball to Gu Ran.

As soon as Gu Ran got the ball, Park Ji-sung came up and wrapped around Gu Ran like a dog-skin plaster.

However, Gu Ran did not take Park Ji-sung too seriously, nor did he respond to Park Ji-sung's harassment with overly obvious actions, but continued to sprint with the ball.

Park Ji-sung was originally confident that he could defend Gu Ran, but soon, Gu Ran used a sudden stop and change of line to create a time gap for Park Ji-sung.

In the 4th minute of the game, Gu Ran made a wall pass with Lambert, shook off Park Ji-sung and went straight into Manchester United's half. Lambert took advantage of the fact that no one was guarding him and sent a half-high pass to Gu Ran.

Park Ji-sung and Fletcher double-teamed Gu Ran from the front and back.

Gu Ran stopped and passed, creating a passing channel in front of Park Ji-sung and Fletch!

Lallana in front immediately ran to the right side of the penalty area!

Manchester United had at least three players blocking the connection between Gu Ran and Lallana!

It has to be said that Manchester United did a very good job in defense and there were almost no good opportunities to pass the ball.

However, Gu Ran did not hesitate or pause at all. He took on Fletcher and Park Ji-sung and took a long shot directly!

This was a heavy artillery world wave from 35 meters away! And it was shot hard like a king pulling a bow under the high pressure defense of Fletch and Park Ji-sung! The football was like an electromagnetically powered cannonball, whistling towards Manchester United's goal! The calm cat Van der Sar was very calm, quickly retreated, stretched out his long arms, and lifted Gu Ran's sudden heavy artillery long shot over the crossbar in an extreme way!

All the Southampton fans couldn't help but exclaim "Oh".

Manchester United fans were so nervous! Gu Ran was really brave! Before the game, all the media and experts thought that Manchester United would dominate Southampton, but unexpectedly, Coach Adkins adjusted the tactics this time - the Southampton team still carried out defensive counterattacks, but Gu Ran's position was moved from defensive midfielder to attacking midfielder.

Manchester United's response strategy was to use Park Ji-sung to guard Gu Ran. This strategy was absolutely correct and it did reflect Ferguson's foresight, but the problem was that Park Ji-sung could guard Messi but not Gu Ran.

If Gu Ran were to hold the ball in the area between the defensive midfielder and the attacking midfielder and continuously attempt long shots, the consequences would be very serious for Manchester United.

Now, Southampton gets their first corner! …

(End of this chapter)