Chapter 78

Steve Bruce's last-minute goal sealed the 5-5 draw in the intense battle between the Red Devils and the Lions.

This might not be enough to make up for his poor performance throughout the game, but it was a form of self-redemption.

The Manchester United players excitedly surrounded Bruce, thrilled by the goal and the hard-fought draw at the last moment.

The Millwall players, on the other hand, looked extremely disappointed. Schneider even knelt on the ground, clenching his teeth and closing his eyes in frustration.

Why didn't we win?!

Someone bent down and put their hands on his shoulders to help him up. Schneider opened his eyes and saw the calm face of his captain, Southgate. Southgate whispered, "Stand up, hold your head high. We need to thank the fans for their support."

Schneider stood up, composed himself, and saw that his teammates had also recovered from their disappointment. Together, they walked to the front of the East Stand, clapping to thank the Lions' fans in the stands.

"Incredible game, Andy. This is the most exciting match I've ever commentated on. From the first minute, no, to be precise, from the moment the referee blew the whistle to the end, this game was fantastic and will be etched in memory forever."

"This is the Premier League! This is what we are most proud of and love about the Premier League. The fast pace, the intense competition, and the brilliant tactical content. Although the two teams scored ten goals, their overall defensive and offensive quality was extremely high, and each goal was spectacular. Closing your eyes, the players who made their debuts will come to mind one by one. The Millwall players were all impressive, and the new generation of Manchester United players proved they are worthy of the red legacy. Martin, this is a football feast. Although there are only a few well-known names on the field, based on the performance of these young men today, I firmly believe that in the future, they will shine on a bigger stage. We are fortunate to have witnessed the entire process of such a game today."

"I completely agree with you. If I were to rate the players on the field, I think most of them would get high scores. Ferguson might be unhappy because Cantona couldn't play, and young Hall might be disappointed because his team lost three points at the last moment. But I want to say to both managers: thank you. This game will become a classic in the Premier League, no doubt. Fans who didn't watch the live broadcast are missing out, as this is a football feast that can be enjoyed from the first second to the last. Alright, dear viewers, the live broadcast of Manchester United vs. Millwall is now over. See you at the next game."

At Old Trafford, after the referee Dugan blew the final whistle, the fans stood up and clapped, the applause lasting for a long time.

Perhaps Manchester United fans believed from the beginning that the Red Devils would win the game.

But when the final moment arrived, they felt a bit of regret, not because Manchester United only got a draw, but because this thrilling and dramatic game had come to an end.

On the pitch, the players began post-game exchanges, with many swapping jerseys.

Schmeichel walked up to Larsson. Although they were not from the same country, they were both from the Nordic region. They took off their jerseys and exchanged them.

"Hey, you should come play for Manchester United. You score goals, I keep the goal, and we'll win many championships."

Schmeichel shamelessly tried to poach Larsson, but it was also a form of admiration and recognition.

Larsson smiled without a word.

Roy Keane approached Nedved. The two tough men faced each other, their jerseys drenched in sweat and covered in mud. They both took off their jerseys and handed them to each other, put the other's jersey on their shoulder, shook hands, and then turned to leave without saying a word.

O'Driscoll stood in the stands. After the game, he closed his eyes, feeling a bit guilty.

However, this was not the place for regret. He turned around to fulfill his promise to sign for a young Manchester United fan, but saw the boy's father giving him a thumbs up.

"Your team is amazing."

O'Driscoll smiled, not really agreeing or disagreeing.

This man's flattery was similar to his own.

Saying Millwall was amazing, no matter how amazing, it was just a draw at Old Trafford. In other words, the underlying message was: Manchester United is very strong, and you being able to draw proves you are not weak.

O'Driscoll took the watercolor pen from the young fan and signed his name on his cap, then smiled and left.

Ferguson was already waiting below. The old man's face was red before the game, but now it looked better.

"O'Driscoll, Manchester United might have lost the two most crucial points in the title race!"

Ferguson's tone was half-joking.

But maybe he was serious. The process of losing the title last season was still fresh in his mind.

Who knows?

Anyway, O'Driscoll didn't care.

He shook hands with Ferguson and smiled, "Alex, Millwall might have secured the most crucial point in their fight for survival."

Ferguson widened his eyes and pointed at him, "If you say Millwall is a relegation team, I'll think you're mocking Manchester United!"

Not winning at home, if Millwall is a relegation team, what does Manchester United have to fight for the title?

And deep down, Ferguson had to admit that Manchester United only played better than Millwall for a certain period of the game.

O'Driscoll smiled and didn't argue.

"I'll wait for you in my office. Today is worth bringing out my best."

"Alright, see you later."

O'Driscoll and Ferguson parted ways. He then went back to the dressing room to have a brief chat with the players before heading home after the away game.

At the post-match press conference, the journalists were eager.

The journalists who watched the entire game had many questions, and many were still emotionally charged.

What kind of game was this?

The title favorites, the Premier League champions, and the traditional powerhouse Manchester United, faced the newly promoted Millwall, who were considered one of the favorites for relegation, and played a game that no one could have predicted.

Manchester United fell behind, then came back, was reversed again, drew, fell behind again, and finally drew again.

Millwall led, was reversed, then reversed again, drew, led again in the final moments, and was finally drawn in the last second!

F**k!

Not only was the game full of twists and turns, but the atmosphere was also electrifying!

Ferguson appeared, and the Scottish old man looked normal. When asked, "Manchester United clearly lost control of the game and the status of being the main character at Old Trafford. As the manager, what do you think is the reason?"

Ferguson shrugged and smiled, "The reason is, this is the Premier League. Everyone who watched the game knows that neither side intended to test the other. From the first second, they were set up to attack each other. Millwall is very strong. The experts who think they are relegation favorites are idiots. They can play at a very fast pace, and Manchester United was a bit unaccustomed at first. But then I realized that if we couldn't defend, we could only see who could score more. In the end, we played a classic game."

"Then, do you think Millwall is a strong contender for the title this season?"

Ferguson nodded seriously, "Of course. Who can tell me when Manchester United last conceded five goals at home? And as the defending champions and runners-up of the top division for the past two seasons, isn't Millwall's performance enough to challenge for the title?"

...

When O'Driscoll came for the interview, the journalists at the press conference couldn't help but laugh.

O'Driscoll found it strange and asked, "Is there a problem?"

Richard from the Daily Mail raised his hand. O'Driscoll considered him an old friend and let him ask the first question.

"Mr. Hall, Mr. Ferguson just said that Millwall is one of the title contenders. Do you agree with his view?"

O'Driscoll said without hesitation, "Of course not. Millwall is still very young. Being able to survive in the Premier League this season is already a stroke of luck."

He didn't want his team to become a target.

"But you scored five goals at Manchester United's home and almost won the game. Manchester United was behind for a long time."

O'Driscoll exaggeratedly said, "Of course! This is the Theatre of Dreams! Which team wouldn't want to perform here? Being able to play here, of course, you have to cherish the opportunity. I think teams like Middlesbrough, Southampton, and Queens Park Rangers would also fight with 200% determination when they visit Old Trafford and leave here with their heads held high after the game."

The journalists in the audience were secretly amused.

Ferguson and O'Driscoll, both managers, were smiling with hidden knives.

Ferguson wanted to put Millwall in the spotlight, and O'Driscoll flattered Manchester United while reminding other teams that fighting to the death here was an honor.

Perhaps the Premier League had found a new pair of evenly matched rivals.

"Millwall was equalized at the last moment. How do you feel? Are you disappointed with the players?"

O'Driscoll pondered for a moment and said solemnly, "I am very sad and disappointed because I let down the players' efforts. My players performed flawlessly, but I couldn't help them secure the win. The responsibility is all mine."

At first, the journalists were happy, thinking O'Driscoll would blame the players, but they didn't expect him to take the blame himself.

It was strange. In this game, although Millwall was equalized, it probably exceeded expectations. Was O'Driscoll unhappy unless he took all three points?

"Mr. Hall, can you explain why you feel guilty?"

O'Driscoll said honestly, "I should have used the last two substitutions to stop Manchester United's last-minute attack, but I was sent to the stands and forgot to remind my assistant. It's all my fault. The players were great, but I performed so poorly."

The journalists were speechless. Although they guessed that O'Driscoll's words would win him the players' hearts, to say it openly in front of over forty media reporters, the players would be completely devoted to him. Who wouldn't think it was worth it?

The first-round match of the 1995/96 English Premier League between Manchester United and Millwall was rated as the best game since the league's inception and still ranks high on the list of classic games during the 10th and 20th anniversary celebrations of the Premier League. Not only because of the game's thrilling and tactical content, but also because it marked the rise of many young stars from Manchester United and Millwall, heralding the arrival of a new era.

PS: Thanks to "tuotuoxiehei" and "feiyangruchujian" for the support!

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