Chapter 603: Chapter 602: The Blushing Rose Blooms in the FA Cup
Deng Kai’s request for an autograph right on their chests even sparked a trend in England.
For a long time afterward, the number of female Manchester City fans surged.
And without a doubt, they all hoped Deng Kai would sign on their jerseys.
Some wore their jerseys to come.
Others had their jerseys ready.
And there were even bolder ones, hoping Deng Kai would sign directly on their chests.
Deng Kai was quite troubled.
In the end, he had to announce through "All-knowing Football Emperor" that he was willing to sign on jerseys but found it difficult to sign on "jerseys," hoping that people would not bring their "jerseys" and even just "balls" for autographs in the future.
Instead, this statement made the female fans even more unrestrained; they enjoyed seeing Deng Kai bashfully fleeing the scene.
And to the despair of other English football stars, their female fans wouldn’t do such things.
Of course, they hardly had any female fans.
Even Beckham’s female fans had significantly dwindled.
Getting Deng Kai to sign on their chests had become the trendiest, hottest, most prestigious, and most topical act among English women.
Since the "initiator" was Europe’s self-reliant woman, Keira Knightley, the additional labels just kept piling up uncontrollably.
This act had transformed from a simple autograph into a symbol of "women’s right to freely pursue,"
Becoming yet another massive "feminist" movement and a signature one at that.
This was by far more sophisticated than any "protest," "vandalism," or "slogan chanting."
Even female members of the English royal family had someone send a jersey to Deng Kai, hoping to get his autograph in order to take this opportunity to step into English politics.
The influence of football in Europe couldn’t be more vividly demonstrated.
Keira and Deng Kai had become the leading figures and the biggest beneficiaries of this movement.
Deng Kai: ???
Deng Kai: Beneficiaries? I’m pretty sure I’ve lost weight!
Feng Te: Deng, I feel you! The English Prices are too fierce; I think I’m about to be overwhelmed!
...
On the 9th of February, the 27th round of the Premier League.
Manchester City challenged Blackburn away.
Deng Kai pulled off an assist hat-trick but failed to turn the tide.
Blackburn defeated Manchester City four to three.
However, that wasn’t important, because everyone knew Manchester City was simply going through the motions in the league.
The most significant news of the round was Ronaldo scoring twice, helping Manchester United to a 2-1 comeback against Leeds United, and continuing to trail Arsenal closely by three points.
The pressure on Arsenal was mounting.
On the 15th of February, the fifth round of the FA Cup.
Manchester City beat Norwich 3-1 at their home ground.
The Manchester City players had now completely gained confidence; as long as they were at Maine Road Stadium, they believed they could take on anyone, including Arsenal and Manchester United.
But again, after this round of matches, the headlines were all about Manchester United.
However, this time it wasn’t Ronaldo.
It was Beckham.
"Breakdown! Beckham suffers a head injury, storms out of training ground!"
"Father’s love, a son’s reverence! Ferguson hits Beckham’s forehead with a boot, is Beckham’s departure from Manchester United imminent?"
"Manchester United dressing room chaos, Arsenal sits back and reaps the benefits, the Premier League Championship is a foregone conclusion!"
"Victoria, the culprit! Have Ferguson and Beckham finally turned against each other because of her?"
"Fans plead for reconciliation! Manchester United can’t be without Ferguson, and of course, not without Beckham!"
Fly boot gate strikes!
Beckham’s professional career at Manchester United had finally reached its end.
If before he had reasons not to leave Manchester United, this flying boot incident had thoroughly given Beckham the chance he needed.
Of course, Beckham himself might not have wanted this opportunity.
After all, the way this chance came about was too brutal.
Whether the forehead is injured is one thing, but his relationship with Ferguson was deeply hurt, irreversibly so.
Afterwards, there were all sorts of hindsight comments.
The media also got hold of Deng Kai, wanting to see who he really supported.
On "Understanding Football," Deng Kai stated, "It’s truly regrettable when things like this happen; we often find it very difficult to completely control everything."
"It’s the same with Ferguson, as it is with Beckham."
"But now that it has happened, discussing the reasons and right or wrong is meaningless."
"I suggest that both parties make temporary amends and devote all their energy to the league."
"Regardless of whether Beckham will stay at Manchester United, the Premier League Championship Trophy has a special significance."
Deng Kai’s opinion became the voice of the Manchester United fans.
At the very least, let’s finish this season.
Of course, the reason Manchester United fans support Deng Kai is because if they win the championship, does that mean Beckham won’t leave? A championship can solve all problems.
But the outcome might not be what they wish for.
Not winning the championship is one thing.
Winning the championship, Beckham’s departure is certain.
That’s because both Beckham and Ferguson are people who see things through to the end.
If they can put a satisfying full stop to the story of both sides, they would not hesitate to do so.
On February twenty-second, the twenty-eighth round of the Premier League.
Manchester City visited London to challenge Arsenal, the Premier League leader at the time.
In that match, the Gunners thoroughly taught the Blues a lesson.
Five to one!
Arsenal turned Manchester City into a sieve.
And when they faced each other for the first time in the upper half of the season, Arsenal still won, completing a massacre with a three-nil victory on Manchester City’s home ground.
Arsenal fans were extremely excited about double-killing the so-called King of Manchester.
Arsenal double-killed Manchester City, Manchester City KO’d Manchester United, doesn’t it mean Arsenal is stronger than Manchester United?
Wenger also crowed triumphantly, "I hope this match can give Manchester City and Deng Kai a little bit of an Arsenal shock. When it comes to the issue of the ownership of the Premier League trophy, we obviously have more say than they do."
This gave Wenger something to strut about.
The old man could finally eat in peace lately.
Internal strife at Manchester United!
A bloodbath against Manchester City!
Can there be anything more satisfying in this world?
On March first, the twenty-ninth round of the Premier League kicked off.
Arsenal stumbled, allowing their opponents to equalize.
It was the perfect opportunity for Manchester United to close the gap in the standings.
Unfortunately, Manchester United’s opponent for this round turned out to be their city rivals, Manchester City.
At Old Trafford Stadium, both teams seemed somewhat lethargic.
Three to three!
Manchester City drew with Manchester United on their away ground, personally thwarting their sibling’s chance to catch up to Arsenal.
But Manchester United fans couldn’t accuse Manchester City of being unfair.
The so-called King of Manchester is just bloody awkward.
For a long time in the past, in their confrontations, Manchester United never lost.
Yet this year, with one loss and one draw, they are at a disadvantage.
On March ninth, the sixth round of the FA Cup.
Manchester City defeated Wolves two-nil, marching into the FA Cup semi-finals.
It was only then that people were surprised to find out... wait, Manchester City’s season isn’t over yet?
Do they still... want to win the FA Cup?
That must be a joke, right?
Alongside Manchester City entering the FA Cup semi-finals were Arsenal, Chelsea, and Blackburn.
Blackburn and Arsenal had both recently defeated Manchester City.
