Soccer: I became Bruno Fernandes.

Chapter 458: European Treble Champions

"Breakthrough!" "He's past him!" "Beautiful!"

Commentators around the world were shouting in excitement.

Watching Rashford stride into the penalty area, Ajax's defender De Ligt stepped up helplessly. Rashford accelerated, deftly sidestepped him, and unleashed a powerful shot!

Despite Ajax's goalkeeper Onana diving to save, the shot was too well-placed and fast. He couldn't reach it.

"GOOOOOOOOOOOALLLL!!!!!!!"

"Marcus Rashford! He calmly slots it in. It's 3-0, and Manchester United leads by three goals!"

"This 19-year-old United striker has nerves of steel!"

"Last year, Rashford narrowly missed out on the Golden Boy award to Portugal's Renato Sanches. This year, Rashford remains a strong contender and is likely to win it."

"However, Rashford faces stiff competition from Monaco's Kylian Mbappé, who has also been outstanding. The 18-year-old French forward has scored six goals in the Champions League this season."

"Overall, the race for the 2017 Golden Boy award will be between Rashford and Mbappé!"

"3-0! The new European treble champions, Manchester United, are three goals ahead of the old treble winners, Ajax."

...

Rashford's goal dealt a heavy blow to Ajax. Their morale dropped significantly, and some players started thinking about accepting defeat.

Yes, the opponents are strong—they are the Premier League champions. We are three goals down; there's no hope for this match. The championship is theirs.

This defeatist attitude began with one or two players but quickly spread throughout the team.

Lineker noticed this, shaking his head, "Ajax players have lost their fighting spirit. Time is running out—it's already the 79th minute, and Ajax is down by three goals. They are playing in disarray. Despite Bosz making three substitutions in the last ten minutes, it hasn't changed anything."

Manchester United also made substitutions.

Rashford was replaced by Rooney, and Gundogan was substituted by Lingard.

When Rooney came on, Bruno prepared to hand over the captain's armband, but Rooney, after accepting it, placed it back on Bruno's arm.

Seeing this harmonious scene, United fans at Old Trafford applauded.

One commentator noted, "It's said that Rooney will leave Old Trafford at the end of the season. Him passing the captain's armband to Bruno symbolizes a form of succession."

...

"Beautiful!" Lineker suddenly raised his voice.

Lingard was in possession, passing to Mata. Mata pretended to dribble forward but then delivered a precise through ball, threading it between Veltman and Davinson Sánchez.

Veltman was slow to react, not responding at all.

Davinson Sánchez turned to slide tackle, touching the ball slightly but speeding it up instead.

Lingard ran past Davinson Sánchez, catching up with the ball.

"Not offside!" "Jesse Lingard!" "One-on-one!"

With no choice, Ajax's goalkeeper Onana rushed out.

Facing Onana, Lingard aimed for the far corner with a powerful shot.

Onana made a brilliant save with his left foot, deflecting the ball.

"It's saved!" "Bruno Fernandes!"

Bruno, alert, found himself in front of an open goal and calmly tapped the ball in.

"GOOOOOOOOOOALLLL!!!!!!!!!" Lineker screamed in excitement as the ball rolled into the net.

"Bruno! Bruno!! Bruno!!! That's his second goal of the match and his twelfth in the Europa League this season!"

"Fourth goal! 4-0! Manchester United leads Ajax by four goals!"

"The match is over!" Rio Ferdinand declared, prematurely awarding the trophy to United. "There's no suspense left. With just over ten minutes remaining, Manchester United is 4-0 up on Ajax. Even with stoppage time, Ajax won't score four goals. No team has achieved such a feat this season. This Manchester United is unbeatable!"

...

On the pitch, Bruno spread his arms wide and ran towards the sideline. United players swarmed around him, celebrating exuberantly. With less than ten minutes remaining, leading by four goals, they believed there was no longer any suspense. They doubted Ajax could pull off a miracle—victory was assured.

United's celebration lasted so long that referee Skomina had to intervene.

Remarkably, Ajax players didn't protest, indicating their broken spirits and lack of fight.

The fourth official signaled four minutes of added time.

Some United fans booed the announcement, while others applauded, knowing that in four minutes, they would be crowned Europa League champions, becoming the fifth team in European football history to complete the European treble.

With the score still 4-0, Mourinho made his final substitution, bringing on veteran Carrick for Fellaini.

Media representatives supporting United applauded the gesture.

...

While objectively, bringing on Carrick had no tactical significance—it was merely to waste time—it held symbolic value for United's media and fans.

In Mourinho's first season at Old Trafford, Carrick, given Kante's excellent form and others sharing playing time, had limited opportunities. However, this dedicated veteran consistently met expectations when called upon, earning an English Premier League title, a League Cup, a Europa League title, and potentially an FA Cup in three days.

"Mourinho is considerate." "He respects the veterans."

United-supporting journalists were pleased.

Mourinho hadn't overthought it. Fellaini had clashed with Schöne earlier, and Mourinho feared Fellaini might lose his temper and get carded, so he brought on Carrick. Of course, there was also the intention to honor Carrick by giving him Europa League final playing time.

Taking care of veteran players when possible is nothing but good.

...

Stoppage time was almost over.

On the pitch, United players frequently glanced at the referee, eagerly awaiting the final whistle.

On the sidelines, United's bench players, coaches, and staff stood shoulder to shoulder, ready to celebrate.

Mourinho, surrounded by his players and assistants, glanced at the electronic scoreboard. His expression appeared calm, but his hands nervously fidgeted, revealing his inner excitement.

Referee Skomina checked his watch.

Seeing this, United players on the sidelines became more excited. Some raised their arms in preparation for celebration.

Lingard received a pass from Darmian and returned it to Carrick. Carrick, considering whether to pass forward or sideways, heard the whistle: "Tweet—Tweet—Tweet!"

Referee Skomina blew the final whistle.

...

At that moment, a huge cheer erupted from the Friends Arena as United fans jumped with arms wide open.

Carrick kicked the ball high into the air and began celebrating.

More United players started running, cheering, and substitutes and staff rushed onto the pitch.

"The match is over!" The commentator's voice elongated. "4-0, Manchester United has achieved final victory! Bruno scored twice, Gundogan and Rashford each added a goal. They beat Ajax 4-0!"

"Congratulations to Manchester United and coach Mourinho. They are the 2016-2017 UEFA Europa League champions!"

In distant Manchester, countless fans cheered, raised their beer glasses, hugged, and celebrated.

"Congratulations once more to Manchester United, the treble winners this season: Premier League champions, League Cup champions, and now Europa League champions!"

"They might even become quadruple winners, having reached the FA Cup final, facing Arsenal at the new Wembley Stadium in three days."

"If they win, they'll be the first team in English football history to win the Premier League, FA Cup, and League Cup in one season!"

"With this Europa League win, Manchester United becomes the fifth team in European football history to achieve the European treble!"

(End of the chapter)

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