Gao Shen still remembers that the first book he read iactical library after traveling ba time was about Ferguson.

  Whether in his past life or this one, Ferguson has always been a role model in his mind.

  Even his coag style bears a deep imprint of Ferguson's influence.

  For instance, both of them love to ge the course of a game through real-time tactical adjustments.

  Gao Shen has studied Ferguson's matches meticulously. He seamlessly switch between multiple tactical setups—4-3-3, 4-4-2, and 4-2-3-1—all within the same match.

  As everyone knows, these formations are merely a refereo pyer positioning. The setup itself is rigid, but the game is fluid, and pyers are in stant motion, leading to increasingly plex variations.

  It's easy to imagine Ferguson utilizing so many different tactical binations in a single game. The real marvel is that Maer United's pyers execute them so effectively, it's almost unbelievable.

  Leaving aside the past, let's just focus on this season.

  Maer United's situation hasly been ideal, yet Ferguson has still ma out the best in the Red Devils.

  Take Darrecher, for example.

  What be said about this pyer? On the surface, he doesn't seem extraordinary, but he is incredibly effective.

  Within Maer United's midfield system, he is irrepceable.

  From breaking up py in midfield to trag bato the penalty area, whether shielding the ter-backs or providing cover for the full-backs, he is everywhere. In the early part of the season, when United's attag pyers were struggling to find form, he was eveeam's top scorer.

  And Ferguson molded him into this role.

  Then there's Wayne Rooney.

  A few years ago, United's brightest young talents were Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo.

  Over the past two seasons, Ronaldo has asded to new heights.

  There's no doubt about the Puese star's ability and impact. He may not have the same raw talent as Messi, but his versatility and attag threat make him just as formidable. He's the only pyer in world football who currently rival Messi.

  But that doesn't necessarily mean he is the most important pyer in this Maer United side. In fact, even in United's attag system, he might not be the focal point.

  Bebauer once said: The stro is often the weakest.

  Take Ronaldo as an example. He is incredibly powerful, a game-ger, and a prolific scorer, but he also squanders many ces.

  Over the past few seasons, he has been transf his game to focus more on goal-sg.

  If he wants to sore, he 't allow himself to be easily marked by defenders. That means he has to improve his movement and physical strength. So, he has trained relentlessly, building muscle, enhang his endurance, and increasing his running output.

  As a result, his physicality has improved, but his agility and teical finesse have deed. The delicate footwork that once defined him has faded, and he is evolving into a pure goal-scorer.

  This isn't a question ht , it's about the choices made by both the pyer and the coach.

  As the saying goes:

  No matter where Ferguson pces Ronaldo at the start of a match, he will alush forward as the game progresses.

  So eventually, Ferguson simply started deploying Ronaldo as a tral striker, adopting a 4-3-3 formation with him at the focal point.

  Ronaldo is obsessed with sg, and Ferguson has granted him plete attag freedom. Naturally, this means he wastes a lot of ces, earning a reputation for being wasteful in front of goal. He also tributes little defensively, which is where Rooney bees essential.

  Beyond that, Rooney's dribbling and ability to beat defenders are unique, and his long passes to find Ronaldo are highly accurate. He is a vital on in Maer United's attack.

  There's another issue: when Ronaldo pys on the right, he hardly tracks back to defend. This puts immense pressure on United's right-back.

  So, Ferguson adjusted the system, shifting to a 4-3-3 with Ronaldo in the ter, Rooney on the left, and Park Ji-sung on the right.

  The message was clear: We'll hahe defensive responsibilities at the back, and you focus entirely on attag.

  With a deep-lying passer like Michael Carrick, United's approach became direct, win the ball, unch a quick terattack, ahe attackers py with freedom.

  At its core, Ferguson's tactical philosophy remains grounded in defensive solidity.

  This is, in essence, a ter-attag strategy.

  Watg this current Maer United side, one see Ferguson's masterful tactical ability and trol over his squad, truly at a level of perfe.

  Gao Shen has often said that the manager he admires most is Ferguson, and he has always dreamed of peting against him.

  But now that the moment has finally arrived, he feels nervous and uneasy.

  For years, he has studied Ferguson, and his coag style has been profoundly influenced by him.

  So, fag Ferguson feels like a student going up against his teacher, an overwhelming sense of aowerlessness.

  It's as if all his knowledge has been "taught" by Ferguson, and nothing he does escape Ferguson's grasp.

  This kind of mi is uable.

  Gao Shen knows that.

  But he 't deny that it's real.

  ---

  "You look exhausted. Why don't you head bad rest? We'll keep things running here."

  At the Castel Volturno training ground, Carlo, Zidane, and the others noticed that Gao Shen wasn't in the best state.

  To put it bluntly, the pressure of the uping match was weighing on him.

  Fag an oppo like Ferguson, any coach would feel the pressure.

  Especially someone like Gao Shen.

  Because the entire world knows Ferguson is his idol.

  Gao Shen shook his head. "No, I just o adjust myself."

  Carlo and Zidane exged a look but said nothing more.

  Often, the stress a head coadures is something outsiders 't fully uand or share.

  It's like Guardio in his past life. Many people questioned why he ged tactics right before a Champions League final. Didn't he know it was risky? Didn't he uand that st-miactical overhauls are a huge gamble?

  Of course, he knew.

  But sometimes, the pressure bees overwhelming, leading to overthinking, a vicious cycle.

  I predict that you will do this, so I'll make adjustments.

  But wait, what if you predict my adjustments and ter them? Then I have to ter your ter.

  But what if you anticipate that as well?

  It's an endless loop.

  No matter what decision is ultimately made, looking back ter, one might think:

  Damn, did I really overthink this into oblivion?

  It happens to bur people and legendary managers alike.

  The only difference is that the great ones have the mental resilieo resist overthinking.

  "Fernando," Gao Shen suddenly called out.

  Lucas, standing nearby, immediately walked over.

  "In the wo days, pile all of Maer United's matches and stats from this season. I want the most detailed data possible—passing patterns, accuracy, key passes, defeions—everything."

  Luodded. "The team is already w on it. I'll get it to you as soon as possible."

  "Also, assign people to closely monitor the Premier League, especially United's FA Cup match agaion. We o track their every move. If possible, get our own footage of the match."

  "Uood. I'll take care of it."

  After agreeing, Lucas looked up at Gao Shen and suddenly grinned.

  "You nervous?"

  "Nervous?" Gao Shen was momentarily stuhen smirked. "Afraid of your nonsense, maybe."

  "e on, it's Ferguson—your idol. Didn't you always say you wao test yourself against him?"

  Of all the people he had grown close to siraveling ba time, there were two who uood him best—his girlfriend Su Qing ba a, and Fernando Lucas.

  Gao Shen exhaled, then turo Lucas with a grin.

  "Don't worry. I'm not the same guy I was back then. After years in European football, I'm one of the top managers now. I want to prove myself against Ferguson."

  Luodded. "You're not alone. We've got your back. Just tell us what you need, we believe in you."

  Gao Shen smiled, g Lucas on the shoulder. Then, suddenly, he chuckled.

  "Guess this is like taking another college entrance exam."

  "After years of preparation, the final test is here. Let's see if I'm a top schor or just an average student."