The match continued, with Manchester United slowing their attacking rhythm and beginning a positional attack, transferring the ball back and forth, both to run down the clock and to look for attacking opportunities. Fulham could only increase their pressing, becoming very passive for a time.
Gao Nuo, along with Fulham, was also feeling uncomfortable. The after-effects of his adrenaline rush were starting to kick in. Gao Nuo felt a bit weak in the legs and gestured to Erik ten Hag on the sidelines. He knew this was not the time to be strong and couldn't cause trouble for the team because of himself.
Receiving the signal, Erik ten Hag called Garnacho over and submitted a substitution request to the fourth official. As soon as there was a dead ball, Gao Nuo could be substituted off.
In the 82nd minute of the match, Varane cleared the ball with a long kick from the backfield. Fulham's formation was pushed too far forward, leaving their defense exposed. Gao Nuo, despite not being in top form, still chose to chase the ball, kicking it simultaneously with center-back Ream, who arrived at the same time. Facing Gao Nuo, who had just impressed everyone on the field, Ream gave his all. After the two clashed feet, Gao Nuo fell to the ground, clutching his ankle, looking in pain.
The Referee signaled no foul, then immediately blew the whistle to stop the match, signaling for the Manchester United team doctor to come on.
The home fans stood up, nervously watching the big screen, hoping Gao Nuo was alright.
Manchester United's Bruno Fernandes followed the Referee, very unhappy with the decision. The Referee repeatedly indicated that he had a clear view, and in frustration, gave a yellow card to the still chattering Bruno Fernandes.
In the replay footage of the live broadcast, Zhan Jun carefully analyzed the situation for the viewers, "Gao Nuo and Ream kicked the ball at the same time. Oh dear, Gao Nuo pulled his foot back and was kicked by Ream, ball and man. This really wasn't a foul."
Zhang quickly said, "Ah, Gao Nuo suffered from inexperience there. Ah, he shouldn't have pulled his foot back on that ball. The most taboo thing in a 50/50 challenge is to pull your foot back. Once the force is released, it's easy to get injured. Ah, I hope Gao Nuo's injury isn't serious."
As the live broadcast footage changed, Zhan Jun continued, "Gao Nuo was helped off the field by the team doctor. It looks like he's injured, but it shouldn't be too serious. Garnacho has replaced Gao Nuo. The Referee will drop the ball, Fulham's possession. There are about 10 minutes left in the match."
Back at the match, Gao Nuo, being helped off the field, received applause from the home fans. Fans closer to the bench even shouted "Go, Gao Nuo!" to encourage him.
The team doctor treated Gao Nuo's ankle. No bones were injured, just a soft tissue contusion, which would require about 2 weeks of rest. Sitting on the bench, the relaxed Gao Nuo watched his teammates run hard on the field and listened to the fans' cheers.
As the match entered its final injury time, the Manchester United team song, "Glory, Glory Man United," rang out from the stands.
"Glory, Glory Man United,
Glory, Glory Man United,
Glory, Glory Man United,
As the Reds go marching on, on, on!
Just like the Busby Babes of old,
We'll keep the Red Flag flying high,
You'll see us everywhere you go,
We're proud to sing this song:
United! United!
We're the boys in red, and we're on the way to Wembley!
Wembley! Wembley!
We're the famous Man United, and we're on the way to Wembley!
Docherty's team won it in '77,
Atkinson won the Cup in '83,
Everyone knows who we are,
And everyone will sing 'Que Sera Sera',
United! United!
We're the boys in red, and we're on the way to Wembley!
Wembley! Wembley!
We're the famous Man United, and we're on the way to Wembley!
Glory, Glory Man United,
Glory, Glory Man United,
Glory, Glory Man United,
As the Reds go marching on, on, on!"
This was Gao Nuo's first time hearing nearly 70,000 people sing the Manchester United team song live, and it felt truly wonderful.
No major surprises occurred in the final moments, and Manchester United naturally won the match, ultimately securing fourth place in the League and ensuring qualification for next season's Champions League.
To be safe, after a brief celebration with the team, Gao Nuo was arranged by the team doctor to undergo an MRI to determine the extent of his injury.
The Premier League had concluded, but Manchester United still had to participate in the England FA Cup final a week later, against their cross-town rivals, Manchester City.
It seemed Gao Nuo would not be able to play. Erik ten Hag, whose squad options were already limited, had lost another unexpected player, and could only rub his bald head and sigh helplessly.
Post-match media interviews had already shifted their focus to next season, asking Erik ten Hag about the team's goals for the next season and their transfer plans.
Daily Report: "Mr. Erik ten Hag, are you satisfied with Manchester United's performance this season?"
Erik ten Hag: "I am satisfied with the team's performance. We won a domestic cup, qualified for the Champions League, and perhaps we can still win another trophy."
Three Days Two Reports: "How do you evaluate the team's performance in the final stages of the League?"
Erik ten Hag: "The process was not smooth. In the last few months, we had to play two matches every week, which was a considerable test of the players' physical and mental endurance. Looking at our injury list, getting fourth place is nothing unacceptable."
Factual Report: "As a massive club like Manchester United, is there a problem with squad depth? As you said, in the final stages, you faced the awkward situation of having no one available. Will there be squad reinforcements next season?"
Erik ten Hag: "I'm sorry, I cannot provide answers to these questions right now. Let's discuss them when the transfer window opens."
Football Weekly: "Gao Nuo appearing in the center-forward position, was that a temporary adjustment, or does the team plan to develop him into a center-forward?"
Erik ten Hag: "Gao Nuo has played center-forward in training and performed well. In today's match, he also completed his job very well. We are always trying new things. Gao Nuo is still very young, and I believe he has infinite possibilities."
With the end of the Premier League, English local media, led by the Manchester United team report, and Chinese media, with Football Weekly being the first to repost, released a photo of Gao Nuo in his torn jersey, passionately sliding on his knees, with the caption: "The speed of a leopard, the strength of a bear."
The power of the media was immense. Reports from multiple media outlets and frantic reposts from self-media platforms made Gao Nuo genuinely popular again. His resolute and handsome face in the photo, along with the eight-pack abs visible under his tattered clothes, instantly captivated a large number of female fans.
Socialite Kim Kardashian reposted Gao Nuo's photo on social media, with a drooling emoji. Li Shuangbing, who has always been closely associated with football in China, also updated her Weibo, posting a photo of herself wearing a Manchester United No. 77 jersey, with the caption: "New Idol."
China's TikTok short video platform even launched a "Gao Nuo Transformation Challenge" hashtag, with various self-media content creators joining the trend, causing Gao Nuo's fan base to grow wildly.
