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The Premier League opener between Manchester United and Swansea City took place at Swansea’s home ground, Liberty Stadium.

Swansea City entered the match with the trending 4-2-3-1 formation, while Manchester United adopted a diamond-shaped 4-4-2 formation against them.

Up front were Van Persie and Ronaldo, and Ferguson instructed them to move wide both centrally and on the sides, targeting the half spaces.

I was listed as an attacking midfielder on the formation, but in reality, I was playing as a free role.

On defense, I partnered with the defensive midfielder Michael Carrick to protect the back four, while on offense, I played a role in making forward passes and directly hitting the penalty box.

‘…Isn’t this the 23/24 Real Madrid?’

I recalled the tactics of Carlo Ancelotti, who used Vinicius and Rodrygo as a two-top after the departure of former starting striker Karim Benzema, with Jude Bellingham deployed as a false nine.

Well… it couldn’t be said that it was exactly the same as Ancelotti’s tactics. Unlike Real Madrid, who sought to erase the gap left by their main striker, Manchester United had the outstanding striker Van Persie, but lacked a right winger.

‘Meanwhile, Real Madrid’s midfield featured Modric, Valverde, and Kroos, but we’ve got Cleverley.’

Cleverley had been performing similarly to last season since Ferguson didn’t retire, but objectively speaking, he was not a player of the caliber to play for a club like Manchester United.

‘Maybe if he were a pig…’

Still, he wasn’t as terrible as I’d thought. The defensive midfielder Michael Carrick was showcasing an excellent performance.

Carrick blocked passing lanes based on his vigorous activity and solid prediction, providing stability to the aging Manchester United defense.

However, even Carrick couldn’t hide his age. His successful forward-pass rate, which used to be a strength, had noticeably dropped compared to his prime.

In the original timeline, Rooney had come down to resolve this issue, but Rooney, dissatisfied with his salary, was now traded for Ho-jo’s.

In the end, I had to take on the role that Rooney had done.

Cleverley’s lazy forward pass to Van Persie was intercepted, triggering a counterattack from Swansea City.

Michael Carrick thwarted Swansea’s counterattack with a clean tackle that only touched the ball.

“Jinho!”

Carrick, having surveyed his surroundings, passed the ball to me as I dropped down to receive it.

As I caught the ball, Swansea City rapidly pressured me.

“Watch your back!”

Hearing Michael Carrick’s warning, I decided to use my physicality to officially celebrate my entry into the Premier League.

Three years of regression.

‘With my back turned.’

My body had hit its growth spurt by now.

Standing at an impressive 185cm thanks to improved eating habits and a consistent sleep schedule, I’d grown a bit taller than expected from the medical tests conducted in Dortmund, but it didn’t significantly affect my play.

‘Exactly.’

On the contrary, it was more helpful. Thanks to my unexpected growth, I could hold my ground in the physically demanding Premier League, known for its rough tackles.

‘Exactly.’

I showcased a stronger physique that could make even John Obi Mikel, the football physicist, shed tears, shaking off Swansea City’s pressure.

I felt like I was the legendary Son Juyong on the field.

As I slipped past Swansea’s pressure, Van Persie and Ronaldo widened their movements to the sides.

Naturally, Swansea’s defensive line followed Van Persie and Ronaldo, creating ample space in the center.

I dashed into the space created by Van Persie and Ronaldo.

As the shooting angle opened up,

Swansea midfielder José Canas rushed in desperately to stop my long-range shot.

I broke through by slipping the ball between the legs of the off-balance José Canas.

“Jino!”

“If you respect me, pass it to me, Son Jinho!”

At the same time, two troublemakers clamored for the pass.

My choice was Van Persie.

“Son Jinho! Why?”

As soon as I sent the pass to Van Persie, Ho-jo started grumbling.

After the match, a long message would be sent to my smartphone, but I had no regrets about my choice.

After all, objectively speaking, Van Persie was in a better position.

And Van Persie, as if to repay my faith, executed a clean first touch before shooting the ball through the goalkeeper’s legs.

The net rippled as Swansea’s goalkeeper fell in despair.

Van Persie raced toward the corner flag to celebrate, while Ronaldo merely smiled with his mouth, congratulating Van Persie’s goal.

I nodded at Ferguson, who raised both arms in triumph.

If I were to summarize Ferguson’s tactics for this match in one line…

“Hit once, then hit three times.”

Truly, Manchester United could be called a firepower (full-on assault) team.

***

The triangular partnership of Ronaldo, Son Jinho, and Van Persie was pure terror for the Swansea City defenders.

While the left-footed Ronaldo and right-footed Van Persie were lethal, what bothered the Swansea players the most was Son Jinho.

Son Jinho swept through Swansea’s territory as if it were his own home, causing immense stress to the Swansea players.

‘That guy really sucks at football.’

Whenever the pressure from Swansea loosened even a bit, Son Jinho would take a long-range shot, and when they pressured him, he delivered killer passes to Ronaldo or Van Persie in the open spaces.

After being tossed back and forth by Manchester United’s attacking line, I suddenly realized the score was now 6 to 3.

Swansea City managed to score three goals against Manchester United, classified as a Big Four in the Premier League. However, in return, they had to give up two goals each to the trio of doom.

[Successfully intercepting passing lanes, Michael Carrick connects to Cleverley.]

Manchester United, having scored six goals, continued to press Swansea City.

[Michael Carrick is showing an incredibly stable performance as a defensive midfielder this match.]

Focusing on defense rather than attack, Michael Carrick showcased the traits of a perfect defensive midfielder.

[At the moment being discussed, Son Jinho receives a pass from Cleverley! Son Jinho pushes forward! This time, he looks to Ronaldo!]

Cleverley, relieved of the burden of making forward passes, had also been performing better than expected.

[Cristiano Ronaldo!!]

As Ronaldo entered the penalty box, he was stopped by a jersey pull.

The referee immediately blew his whistle and pointed to the penalty spot.

[It’s been given!!! Referee Philip Dowd declares a penalty kick!]

└ Oh wow, Manchester United’s attacking power is insane.

└ Who’s taking the penalty?

└ Is Van Persie going to take it?

└ Ronaldo might take it as well.

└ Is there any chance of him taking it?

└ Let’s go for a hat trick in his PL debut~~

[Indeed, this is a clear penalty… Huh? Is there a disagreement between Van Persie and Ronaldo? The two players are raising their voices at each other.]

└ ??? What the heck? Why are they suddenly fighting?

└ Uh… why are you guys suddenly quarreling?

***

A quarrel broke out between Ronaldo and Van Persie over the handling of the penalty kick.

“The penalty kick is mine since I’m the starting striker.”

“This penalty kick was earned by me, so it’s right for me to take it.”

Three days later, it was all wrecked.

It was a moment that made my heart swell to see Van Persie and Ho-jo, forgetting their great cause, argue over just a single penalty kick.

Worried that their friendship might fracture, I swiftly intervened for the peace of our era.

“Son Jinho. I have to take this. I earned the penalty kick.”

The rogue on the field, Ronaldo, insisted he should take it.

“Sure, your claim is correct.”

Then, the small child inside me piped up in rebuttal.

“The designated penalty kicker is me.”

I also accepted Van Persie’s point.

“Your claim is also correct.”

With both opinions acknowledged, Ronaldo and Van Persie looked at me with expressions saying, “Who the heck is this guy?”

“Since both of your claims are valid, I will take it.”

I delivered my decree with a benevolent smile to the two, as if channeling Solomon, and both Ho-jo and Van Persie united in their rebuttal.

“Let Robin take it today.”

As the penalty kick situation delayed, I could see Ferguson from the Manchester United bench, chewing gum with a furious expression, and ultimately, it was decided that Van Persie would take the penalty kick.

Van Persie successfully converted the penalty kick, completing his hat trick, while Cristiano Ronaldo sulked, and I just wanted to hurry home and hug Haeun.

Having just completed the first round of the Premier League, our trio’s companionship was precariously balanced.

‘Was it a pact of doom or the Munich Agreement?’

***

[Premier League Kick-off!]

[(Result of Round 1) Manchester United 7: 3 Swansea City.]

[Manchester United showcased astonishing firepower.]

[Overwhelming offense, but hidden defensive instability?]

└ Ugh;; Please do recruit some defenders;;

└ If it weren’t for De Gea, we might have drawn ㅅㅂ;;;

└ A 7-7 draw would have been a bit funny though ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ

[Did Manchester United face internal division just one round into the Premier League?]

└ They’ve already started fighting in the opening match, what a mess;;

└ Shouldn’t it be Van Persie who takes it? Isn’t he the designated kicker?

└ That was before Ronaldo came. Since Ronaldo showed up, shouldn’t he just humbly give up the designated kicker spot?

[Alex Ferguson: “It’s my mistake for not determining that beforehand.”]

[Cristiano Ronaldo denies discord rumors. “Our relationship isn’t bad.”]

[Van Persie, when asked by a reporter if he would yield the penalty kick… “I will follow Sir Ferguson’s orders.”]

[Son Jinho, who recorded 2 goals and 2 assists in his Premier League debut, regarding the penalty kick incident… “I realized Chamberlain’s feelings.”]

 

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