The 15 minutes passed quickly, and both teams returned to the field, switching attacking directions as the second half began.
As expected, Manchester City made tactical adjustments, changing their formation from 4-3-3 to 3-4-2-1, strengthening their defense while enhancing their central attacking capabilities.
In recent years, Manchester United's midfield has been heavily criticized. Although the additions of Casemiro and Eriksen have given Manchester United's spine some solidity, there are still significant problems in the midfield.
Sure enough, Manchester City, with their three-center-back and double-pivot formation, successfully restricted the opponent's offense. Apart from Casemiro, who could still manage a few threatening passes, Bruno and Rashford in the center could not find space, and Manchester United's wingers struggled to cut inside, making crosses from the byline ineffective.
In contrast, Manchester City's offense was sharp, and their midfield's ability to orchestrate attacks was truly terrifying. Whenever they won the ball in their own half, a few simple passes would find De Bruyne, and then this world-class midfielder would deliver a through ball, sending Haaland, Foden, and Bernardo Silva sprinting forward.
Manchester United's defense was suddenly on edge, and De Gea made consecutive saves from two of Haaland's shots, shouting loudly for his defense to drop back.
In the 57th minute, Bruno Fernandes held onto the ball for too long in the attacking third and was triple-teamed by Manchester City. His attempted back pass was a mistake, going directly to De Bruyne.
Manchester City launched a quick counter-attack. Haaland charged down the middle, Foden moved left, and Bernardo Silva pulled wide to the right to create space. De Bruyne dribbled to near the kickoff spot and delivered a powerful outside-of-the-foot pass directly into Bernardo Silva's path.
The ball arced beautifully, and Manchester United's Eriksen and Malacia were both just a step away from intercepting it. However, it was precisely this small distance that left them watching the ball roll to Bernardo Silva's feet.
Bernardo Silva made no adjustments, simply laying it off horizontally into the middle. Haaland held his position firmly in front of the defender and slotted it into the net.
From De Bruyne's interception to Haaland's goal, Manchester City took only 12 seconds, a fluid and beautiful display of teamwork.
After scoring, Haaland picked up the ball from the net and ran towards the center circle. Manchester City did not celebrate excessively; clearly, they were not satisfied with a 1-2 scoreline.
Zhan Jun in the live broadcast room watched the replay and exclaimed, "De Bruyne's outside-of-the-foot pass was truly masterful. It practically grazed two defenders. Indeed, as people say, whenever De Bruyne has the ball, there's no position he can't pass to."
Manchester United, having conceded a goal, became somewhat anxious. Compared to defending, the limitations in their attack made the players feel more helpless. Manchester United's decision to narrow their defensive line gave Manchester City's midfield even more attacking space.
In the 68th minute, Manchester City took a corner from the left. Haaland overpowered Lisandro Martínez at the far post and scored with a header.
In the 72nd minute, Manchester City's Foden broke through on the left and delivered a cross. De Gea punched the ball, but it didn't go far, and Haaland capitalized on the loose ball in front of goal to score again.
With three goals in 15 minutes, Haaland completed a hat-trick, and Manchester City led Manchester United 3-2, turning the score around.
Guardiola on the sidelines excitedly waved his fists, while Ten Hag could only shake his head helplessly, his face grim.
Ten Hag had already prepared to make substitutions when Manchester City equalized, but in those few short minutes, Manchester City had already taken the lead.
The match continued. Manchester United made substitutions: Elanga replaced Garnacho, Fred replaced Eriksen, Luke Shaw replaced Malacia, Rashford returned to his preferred left wing, and Gao Nuo moved to the center forward position.
In the center forward position, Gao Nuo's primary role was to use his height advantage to compete for the first ball, which, for now, could effectively change Manchester United's attacking situation.
Gao Nuo's success rate in aerial duels was average, but compared to Rashford, he still managed to create pressure on Manchester City's defense, and with a focal point in the middle, Manchester United's two flanks came alive again.
In the 81st minute, Lisandro Martínez launched a long ball. Gao Nuo won the first ball, heading it to the right. Elanga, who had just come on, sprinted with all his might and successfully delivered a cross before the ball went out of bounds.
Gao Nuo miscontrolled the ball in front of goal. Fortunately, the ball rolled to Rashford's feet, who easily tapped it into the net.
Manchester United equalized the score. Amidst the cheers of the home fans, Rashford picked up the ball and ran towards the center circle. Clearly, Manchester United was also not satisfied with a draw.
Zhan Jun in the live broadcast room was meticulously explaining the goal through the replay: "We see Lima's long pass. Gao Nuo overpowered the defender to head the ball to the right. This header was a bit too strong, but thankfully Elanga had plenty of energy and crossed it before the ball went out of bounds. Gao Nuo was in a great position. He didn't choose to shoot; his steps were on his right foot. He probably wanted to stop it first, then turn and shoot with his left foot. This touch was a mistake; the ball rolled over two meters. Rashford was right behind him and simply pushed the ball into the net. This goal was very lucky, and Gao Nuo also earned an assist hat-trick."
Manchester United, having equalized, shook off their slump, and both teams engaged in an end-to-end attacking game.
In the 85th minute, De Bruyne unleashed a sudden long-range shot from outside the box, a highly threatening effort that De Gea tipped over the bar for a corner.
In the 87th minute, Manchester United launched a counter-attack, creating a 3-on-3 situation. Bruno Fernandes dribbled through the middle, chose not to pass, and shot high over the crossbar.
In the 93rd minute, in the final two minutes of injury time, Manchester United won a corner on the left.
The intense match had left Gao Nuo's stamina depleted. With his hands on his knees, he panted heavily. Gao Nuo didn't want to lose; the system task's penalty was something he absolutely did not want to accept.
Bruno Fernandes took the corner. The ball was bravely cleared by a defender at the near post, and it returned to Bruno Fernandes's feet. Without hesitation, Bruno Fernandes sent in another cross.
Bruno Fernandes's kick was a hybrid of a cross and a shot, with the ball flying directly towards the right post of the goal.
Manchester City's goalkeeper Ederson was extremely focused. He quickly moved two steps to his right from the left side of the goal, then leaped into the air, his body fully outstretched, almost parallel to the ground.
Just as Ederson was about to make a world-class save, a red figure appeared in front of the goal, also parallel to the ground, but with his head facing the goal.
Gao Nuo used his last ounce of strength, charging towards the goal like a cannonball. Just as Ederson was about to block the ball, he executed a diving header, sending the ball into the net.
Old Trafford had just erupted in joyful cheers, only to fall silent the very next moment.
After heading the ball, Gao Nuo crashed into the goalpost. He stood up, glanced at the ball in the net, then collapsed to the ground, blood instantly staining the grass.
