The match was interrupted for nearly ten minutes. At this point, Manchester United, with nine players, faced Leeds United, with ten players. Both sides were still very fiery but reined in their actions, allowing the match to continue.
Already a man down, with their head coach sent to the stands, and Neymar experiencing foot discomfort and replaced by Antony, Manchester United's rhythm was completely disrupted.
In the final 30-plus minutes of the match, Leeds United scored two goals from corner kicks, fulfilling their wish to win the Roses Derby at home.
Manchester United, losing 0:2, did not receive criticism from fans. Anyone who watched the match knew that this defeat was excusable.
The Roses Derby, with its intense atmosphere, naturally provided media with an opportunity to gain traffic. Although both clubs downplayed the incident, photos of Neymar clutching his leg on the ground, Ten Hag standing in the stands, Casemiro pushing the referee, and Gao Nuo chest-bumping an opponent, every intense scene was magnified by the media.
Haters began to attack Manchester United's rough playing style, while true fans believed that this rebuilt Manchester United was full of unity, passion, and fighting spirit, with the potential to achieve Manchester United's revival.
Both teams were disciplined by the FA's regulations, and the clubs instructed the team not to make any further statements about this match.
Ten Hag spoke about this in an interview a few months later. He said seriously, "Although we lost that match against Leeds United, our team became more united, and the players, and the players and I, became closer."
"Reason tells me that I cannot approve of the players, including myself, handling this matter at the cost of red cards. However, when things reached that point, we could no longer control our emotions. Emotionally, I support my players; they did not retaliate with dirty moves. Football should be healthy and positive."
Gao Nuo and Casemiro, who were suspended and would miss the next League match, led Manchester United's rotated squad to play in the English League Cup third round. Gao Nuo contributed two goals and one assist, helping the team defeat EFL Championship's West Bromwich Albion with a score of 5:2, and the team successfully advanced to the next round.
The 5th round of the English Premier League was about to begin, and Gao Nuo, who could not play, received two days off.
Gao Nuo, who usually trained so hard that even a quick pee felt like a break, finally temporarily let go of his obsession with the "Golden Boot Award" and was pulled by Li Qiang to see the sea in Cornwall.
Originally, Gao Nuo refused. Wang Qing wasn't there, and he wasn't romantic enough to go to the beach with another man. However, Li Qiang gave a reason that made it hard for him to refuse: Wen Na was also going, and the invitation was extended in Gao Nuo's name.
For Qiang Ge's happiness, Gao Nuo could only silently accept, and so began a three-person, two-day, one-night trip.
Driving Gao Nuo's G-Wagen, a journey of about six hours, they arrived at the beautiful seaside. Gao Nuo discreetly enjoyed the sun and sea breeze alone, watching Li Qiang and Wen Na chatting and laughing not far away. He felt a little homesick, wondering what his parents were doing, and how Wang Qing's qualification exam went. Just as he was about to pick up his phone to call them, a large group of beautiful women walked up to Gao Nuo.
"Hi, Asian hottie, where are you from?"
"Hello, I am Chinese."
"Wow, mysterious China. Can I sit here?"
The beauty pointed to the empty seat next to him. Only then did Gao Nuo get a clear look at her figure and appearance. She was very tall, probably over 175cm, a standard Western beauty with blonde hair and blue eyes, ample breasts and a shapely bottom, and bronze skin. The muscle lines on her arms and abdomen revealed that she was a fitness enthusiast.
This foreign girl, who was considered very hot in the eyes of foreigners, didn't quite fit Gao Nuo's aesthetic. He preferred the petite and delicate type, like Wang Qing. Out of politeness, Gao Nuo made a gesture for her to sit, "Of course, no one is here."
The beauty sat down gracefully, her prominent breasts somewhat dazzling through her tiny swimsuit.
"My name is Lina, and I'm a private therapist here. You have a great physique, and I love fitness, so I wanted to get to know you."
"You do have a very good physique. My name is Gao Nuo, you can just call me Gao."
"Gao Nuo? Gao." Lina said Gao Nuo's name a bit awkwardly while thinking, then showed a look of sudden realization, "You're a Manchester United player, right? I knew you looked familiar! Great, can you give me an autograph?"
Gao Nuo readily agreed, "Of course!"
Lina got a pen from the nearby water bar. Gao Nuo was a bit dumbfounded holding the pen she handed him, unsure where to sign. Lina had initially asked Gao Nuo to sign her bikini top, but Gao Nuo, who had received nine years of compulsory education and was not a 'fish that got away,' ultimately only signed his name on her bikini bottoms.
Lina's personality was very outgoing. After getting to know Gao Nuo, the two chatted like friends about football, fitness, and food.
Time quickly moved to evening. Gao Nuo and his two companions accepted Lina's invitation to a famous local restaurant. All three were from the sports world, so their conversations revolved around sports. Lina also joined in when they discussed injuries, speaking eloquently with much professional knowledge, which made Gao Nuo and his friends look at her in a new light. It seemed this English girl was not only beautiful but also genuinely talented.
After dinner, Li Qiang pulled Wen Na to a bar to continue their bonding, while Gao Nuo prepared to return to his hotel to rest. Lina had quite a bit to drink and looked somewhat intoxicated. She leaned against Gao Nuo, mumbling and unable to clearly say where her home was. In his helplessness, Gao Nuo could only take her back to the hotel with him, opened a new room, and, under the ambiguous gaze of the staff, helped Lina into the room.
Just after settling Lina, Gao Nuo was about to return to his own room. As he reached the door, a fiery body embraced him from behind. Gao Nuo turned around, and Lina continued to burrow into Gao Nuo's arms, pushing him against the door. Lina stood on her tiptoes and kissed Gao Nuo's neck.
The soft touch and pleasant perfume scent assaulted Gao Nuo's brain. After realizing what was happening, he tried to push away the lioness in front of him, but Lina's strength was also considerable, and he couldn't succeed for a moment. Gao Nuo could only dodge while loudly saying, "Lina, stop. I have a girlfriend, and I only see you as a friend."
Lina couldn't reach Gao Nuo, who was 190cm tall, to kiss him. She just held onto his waist tightly and said unwillingly, "It's okay, I like you. We can just spend one night together."
Gao Nuo quickly explained, "I'm sorry, I can't do that with you. In my country, loyalty in relationships is very important."
Lina gradually calmed down but still didn't let go, "You're not married, are you? I don't need you to be responsible. We can both get what we want."
Feeling Lina's grip loosen, Gao Nuo quickly pushed her away, put his hands on her shoulders, and said seriously, "I'm really sorry. Maybe to you, this is a very normal thing, but I love my girlfriend very much, and I won't do anything to betray her."
Lina was also a decent girl. Being rejected repeatedly by Gao Nuo, she couldn't continue to insist and ran into the bathroom, very embarrassed. Gao Nuo quickly took the opportunity to return to his own room.