From the man behind the football king to the football king.

Chapter 578 Perfect Ending

There was no championship battle, no relegation battle, and not even a battle for European qualification. The 2017th round of the 2018-38 Premier League season was the most suspense-free finale in history.

In fact, there is no suspense about whether Manchester United can finish the 2017-2018 season unbeaten. After all, whether it is Manchester United's current state or the historical record of the two sides, it seems that Manchester United has no signs of losing.

这是双方历史上第30次交锋，曼联此前20胜5平4负占据绝对的优势，在最近的14场交锋当中，曼联取得了全胜的战绩。而在本赛季第14轮比赛中，曼联曾在客场以5:0大胜对手。

Before this round, Watford had 37 points in 41 league games, ranking 13th in the standings. They had neither the pressure of relegation nor the hope of qualifying for the Champions League.

It can be said that today's game was a game without any desire or ambition for Watford.

Judging from the starting lineup announced by Watford before the game, Watford had no intention of fighting Manchester United to the death at Old Trafford.

In fact, Watford and Manchester United have some connections, because this team, nicknamed the Premier League Hornets, has the same owner as Udinese, and both belong to the Pozzo family. After Udinese sold Bruno, Maguire, Cancelo and many other players to Manchester United, the two teams established a friendly relationship, and the other two teams belonging to the Pozzo family, Watford in the Premier League and Granada in La Liga, also have good relations with Manchester United.

For example, Watford currently has former Manchester United player Cleverley playing for the club. Another of their midfielders is Roberto Pereira, who was Bruno's teammate at Udinese. In addition, their goalkeeper Canitzis also played alongside Bruno at Udinese.

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Manchester United played at home and launched an aggressive offensive right after the opening.

The trident of Rashford, Harry Kane and Mbappe actively suppressed Watford's defense, while Gundogan, Kante and Bruno swept and suppressed behind them.

Manchester United's style of play this season has extremely strong dominance and lethality in the Premier League. The team's offensive firepower has obviously been greatly released. Not only has Bruno's goals increased, but the goals scored by several other players in the team have also set career highs. This is obviously related to the team's unrestrained style of play.

After the opening, Bruno and Gundogan were very active, with two long shots in the first ten minutes, threatening Watford's goal and demonstrating Manchester United's strong desire to win and offensive firepower.

Watford were forced to retreat after the opening.

But as the game progressed, Manchester United gradually figured out Watford's defensive weaknesses.

In the 17th minute, Bruno suddenly changed his position to the left side of the penalty area. After getting the ball, he suddenly started, dribbled the ball sideways and shot from a distance with his right foot.

The shot hit the post and bounced back into the penalty area, making Bruno very depressed.

Bruno's movement in the front court became more erratic. He appeared wherever there was an opening, on the left, in the middle, or on the right.

Not only does he create threats with the ball, he also actively creates opportunities for his teammates.

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In the 26th minute of the first half, Manchester United's most threatening attack came.

After Bruno got the ball in the middle, he moved horizontally to the left and passed it to Rashford, then turned around and quickly crossed the line. Rashford understood and sent a straight pass to Bruno at the bottom line.

After Bruno got the ball, he faced Janmaat's defense one-on-one on the ground. He nimbly dodged his tackle from the bottom line, brought the ball to the vicinity of the small penalty area, and then made a triangle pass back to the left side of the penalty spot.

Gundogan came up from the back row and shot the ball straight into the lower right corner of the goal!

The German was so excited that he threw himself at Bruno, knelt in front of him, held up his right foot, and used his jersey to wipe the grass off his boots to show his gratitude for his assist.

The fans at Old Trafford were cheering both of their names.

For Manchester United fans, although the team has already won the league championship ahead of schedule, it would undoubtedly be the most perfect thing if they could end this fantastic season with an unbeaten record.

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Although Javier Gracia's team was one goal behind, they did not actively press forward. Obviously, they knew very well that counterattack was their greatest advantage, and pressing forward would only lead to their death faster.

And they are not without a chance.

In the 31st minute, Watford launched a very sharp counterattack. Brazilian striker Richarlison had a one-on-one opportunity, but De Gea decisively left the goal and fell to the ground to save the ball.

In the 36th minute, Bruno once again rushed into the penalty area and shot, but was deflected by Brazilian goalkeeper Gomez and hit the post again, still failing to score.

Bruno's luck was not very good tonight as he hit the post twice in a row. However, Manchester United's offensive momentum was getting smoother and smoother, and the coordination was getting more and more fluent.

Five minutes later, Rashford and Luke Shaw formed a cooperation on the left, and the England left-back sent a precise cross. Harry Kane's header from close range was missed.

This also made many people worried, fearing that mistakes would occur under Manchester United's fierce attack.

Fortunately, in the first half stoppage time, Bruno got the ball on the right and faced Holevas. When he broke through one-on-one, he was fouled by the opponent. The referee gave him an offensive set-piece opportunity on the right side of the frontcourt.

Bruno's cross is a must-have for Manchester United, so he was the natural choice for the free kick. He also delivered a precise pass, but Harry Kane was clearly not in good shape. When he was trying to get a position in the penalty area, he failed to get past Irish international Cathcart and was headed away by the Irish central defender.

The ball did not fly far and landed outside the penalty area. Mbappe followed up with another direct shot and the ball was blasted into Watford's goal again.

Gomez fished the ball out of the goal for the second time.

2: 0!

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After the second half, Watford launched a counterattack, but Manchester United quickly responded. Bruno played two-on-one with Gundogan and Rashford in the middle, and shot with his left foot in the penalty area, but the angle was too straight and Gomez saved it, failing to create a threat.

"Bruno didn't seem to have his shooting boots tonight. He hit the post twice, and just now he had a wonderful pass, but the final shot didn't have a good angle."

"I have to say, he is still very eye-catching, but his luck tonight is obviously not very good."

Mourinho replaced Harry Kane, who was in poor form tonight, with veteran Ibrahimovic.

The tactical role of the English center forward is very obvious. Manchester United will need to rely on him both in the league and the Champions League.

Today may be Ibrahimovic's last game at Old Trafford, because the Swedish veteran has decided to play in the Major League Soccer after the end of this season. Mourinho sent him on the field at this time, naturally giving him the opportunity to say goodbye to Manchester United fans.

Ibrahimovic was very active after coming on the pitch and actively created opportunities in the frontcourt.

As soon as the Swedish veteran became active, Watford's defensive attention was inevitably diverted away from Bruno, and Bruno was able to get more freedom, but he still failed to create a goal.

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It wasn't until the 71st minute that Bruno scored his first goal of the day.

Bruno passed the ball into the penalty area, and Ibrahimovic volleyed the ball. Watford's Brazilian goalkeeper Gomez made another wonderful save, flying to save the ball.

But the ball did not fly far, but landed in front of Bruno on the right side of the small penalty area.

At this time, all Bruno needed to do was very simple. He pushed the ball with his right foot and sent the ball into the goal!

After struggling for more than an hour, hitting the post twice, and failing to score in several great shot opportunities, it just happened in such a mess!

Bruno himself was also speechless. He shook his head with a wry smile and opened his arms to accept the congratulations from his teammates.

Sometimes, goals are so strange. When you think you are in good shape and performing well, and want to score a wonderful goal, it just won't let you in. But when you are not prepared, it suddenly appears in front of you.

This is a very ordinary and not at all good-looking goal, but it is still a goal after all!

Just like that, Bruno scored his 41st Premier League goal of the season.

3:0, Manchester United secured the victory.

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Mourinho then replaced Bruno with veteran and assistant coach Carrick.

Although Carrick joined the team's coaching staff at the beginning of the season, he has not officially retired. However, he decided to retire officially after the end of this season, so Mourinho also arranged for Carrick to come on as a substitute in the last home game of the season, giving him the same opportunity to say goodbye to the home fans as Ibrahimovic.

When Bruno left the field, he put the captain's armband on Carrick's arm.

Without Bruno's threat in the frontcourt, Watford's counterattack seemed to be more aggressive, but they did not score a goal. Instead, Manchester United scored two more goals through quick counterattacks, with the goals coming from Ibrahimovic and Rashford.

Manchester United beat Watford 5-0 at home with goals from Gundogan, Mbappe, Bruno, Ibrahimovic and Rashford.

After this victory, Manchester United not only ended the perfect 2017-2018 season with an unbeaten record, but also scored 104 points, breaking Juventus's single-season points record in the top five leagues four years ago. The 121 goals also tied the single-season goal record for online television created by Mourinho when he led Real Madrid in the 2011-2012 season.

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"Game over!!" Sky TV commentator Andy Gray shouted excitedly, "Game over! Manchester United ended the 2017-2018 season unbeaten, becoming the second team in Premier League history to go an unbeaten season. They won 38 games and drew 33 in 5 games, earning a total of 104 points. Jose Mourinho's team amazed everyone! Congratulations to Mourinho, congratulations to Manchester United!!"

"The referee blew the whistle to end the game - the game is over! Manchester United is the champion! Old Trafford is already a sea of ​​joy belonging to Manchester United!"

"This is Manchester United's night, they created too many miracles on this night! Congratulations to them."

"Watford failed to stop Manchester United. They never showed the possibility of winning the game from the beginning to the end. They did not show the fighting spirit they should have against the Red Devils Manchester United. They lost the game with a big score that we did not expect. Now, let us congratulate Manchester United. They have achieved a record unbeaten season and got 104 points. The two Portuguese Mourinho and Bruno Fernandes are the winners!"

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When the whistle sounded at the end of the game, the Manchester United players on the field began to celebrate wildly.

Manchester United players hugged each other passionately.

Carrick, wearing the captain's armband, raised his arm high and shouted loudly. This veteran is used to big scenes and can control his emotions, while his teammates are more wild than him.

Ibrahimovic took off his jersey, rushed to the stands, yelled, and threw his jersey to the fans. Then the 36-year-old Swedish veteran covered his face and cried with joy.

Rashford knelt on the ground, his hands pointing to the night sky of Old Trafford, his tears flowing uncontrollably. This young Manchester United player dedicated this goal to a friend who had just died unexpectedly.

Kante and Mbappe, two Frenchmen, hugged each other. You punched me and I hugged you. They were as happy as children. Finally, the two fell on the field and looked at the night sky of Old Trafford...

Bruno and Mata hugged, and the two competitors for the same position ran to the sidelines hand in hand, waving their arms.

Harry Kane covered his face with his hands and cried. He is an optimistic boy, but at this moment he could not hide his excitement. He used a championship to tell everyone that coming to Manchester United was his best decision.

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Mourinho originally wanted to shake hands with Watford head coach Gracia, but as soon as the game ended, he was surrounded by many media reporters who poured into the stadium.

"Mr Mourinho, congratulations on your team's record."

"Thank you."

"Mr. Mourinho, although the season has not ended yet, Manchester United won the Premier League unbeaten this season and set many records. For you, can this be called a great and successful season?" The BBC reporter asked loudly.

"I am very happy that we have achieved an unbeaten season. This is the best reward for everyone's hard work." Mourinho could not hide his excitement and said with a smile, "But as you just said, the season is not over yet. Now is not the time to summarize the season. We can't stop moving forward."

"Mr. Mourinho, congratulations. Do you have anything to say at this moment?" another reporter asked.

"Thank you to the players, thank you to all the boys for their work and effort, thank you to the club's top management for their support, and more importantly, thank you to the fans for their continued support. This championship is the best gift for Manchester United fans." Mourinho said emotionally.