Chapter 398: The Christmas Match
After the match against West Brom, the Manchester United players began their Christmas break. For people in the West, Christmas is akin to New Year's celebrations. Bruno and Vanessa had already planned their holiday, deciding to spend it on Madeira Island, where Bruno's family would join them. This would also allow Vanessa to meet Bruno's parents for the first time. Having been together for two years, Bruno finally agreed to introduce her to his family, making Vanessa extremely happy. She was so excited that she hugged and kissed Bruno passionately.
Bruno returned to Manchester with the team, where Vanessa was already waiting for him in the car. They drove straight to Manchester International Airport and boarded a flight to Madeira Island.
By the time they arrived on Madeira Island, it was already the early hours of the morning. Bruno's father picked them up at the airport and took them directly to a vacation villa they had rented. Bruno's parents and sister had arrived earlier, while his brother, Ricardo, was already there, as he played for the local team, CF União. Unlike Bruno's global football success, Ricardo had struggled to make an impact even in Portugal's lower leagues and had decided to retire at the end of the season.
Madeira Island, a group of islands far from mainland Portugal, offers a mild and stable climate due to its unique geographical location and mountainous terrain. The average summer temperature is around 22°C, and in winter, it remains around 16°C, with moderate humidity. The sea temperature also stays warm, ranging from 22°C in summer to 18°C in winter, making it a great holiday destination.
Upon arrival, Bruno asked Vanessa if she wanted to explore the island, but she, having traveled extensively, preferred to relax and sleep in with him. Bruno found this endearing; Vanessa, though a strong and independent woman in public, was always tender and affectionate with him, which deeply touched Bruno.
Their holiday was peaceful and joyful, spent hiking in the scenic hills and spending quality time with family. Madeira's landscape, lacking sandy beaches but rich in mountainous trails, was perfect for hiking.
After four days, Bruno and Vanessa returned to Manchester to prepare for the upcoming grueling Christmas schedule starting December 23.
On December 26, 2016, at 3 PM GMT, a highly anticipated Premier League match kicked off at Old Trafford. In the 24-year history of the Premier League, Manchester United had won 18 times on Boxing Day, more than any other team. The two teams had faced each other 139 times in total, with United winning 63, drawing 35, and losing 41, scoring 240 goals and conceding 200. Their most recent encounter had been on February 13 of this year, with Sunderland defeating Van Gaal's United 2-1 at home.
As fans streamed into the stadium, the players received final instructions from their managers in the dressing rooms. Sunderland, with a record of 4 wins, 2 draws, and 11 losses, sat 18th in the league, deep in the relegation zone. Meanwhile, United had won 16 of their 17 league matches, accumulating 48 points, and led the table by 5 points.
Based on historical results and current standings, United was significantly stronger than Sunderland. However, football isn't always about statistics, especially in a single match. A famous Argentine football commentator once said, "A single football match lacks logic; it only gains logic when looking at hundreds of matches."
Analyzing Sunderland's performance over the 17 rounds, their football was dull and primarily focused on defense. They had only scored 15 goals in those matches, less than a third of United's total. Mourinho believed it would be tough for Sunderland to pose a threat at Old Trafford, so he opted for a more aggressive 4-3-3 formation, aiming to dominate weaker opponents.
On Sunderland's side, manager David Moyes hoped to prove himself against his former club but was aware of his team's limitations. Since taking over Sunderland in the summer, he had not received the promised support for new signings and had to rely on familiar faces like Pienaar and Anichebe. The team struggled, going winless in the first ten games and remaining in the relegation zone.
In contrast, United had spent over 300 million euros in the transfer market, bringing in stars like Ballon d'Or winner Bruno, significantly strengthening the squad. United's 16 wins from 17 matches showed they were a transformed team from Moyes's tenure. Sometimes Moyes wondered if he might have fared better with such support during his time at United.
Recognizing the disparity between the teams, Moyes planned to defend deeply and counterattack when opportunities arose, aiming to secure at least a point. However, he also wanted to start the match aggressively to give the impression they could threaten United, making them more cautious in their attacks.
As the match began, United quickly took control, pressing Sunderland with their attacking play. The visitors, sticking to their defensive strategy, tried to hold off United's relentless attacks.
United's persistent efforts paid off in the first half's stoppage time. Kelly fouled Blind, earning a yellow card and conceding a free kick just outside the penalty area. Mata's delivery was deftly nudged by Ibrahimović, deflecting off Ward and landing at Bruno's feet, who scored with a right-footed shot from close range, giving United a 1-0 lead at halftime.
Bruno's goal marked his fifth consecutive Premier League match with a goal and his 21st league goal of the season. United ended the first half ahead, showcasing their dominance and setting the stage for a commanding performance in the second half.
(End of Chapter)
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