Ever since Gao Shen took over as manager, he's always believed that South American players have a natural football intelligence.
This might stem from the environment they grow up in, their youth development systems.
European players tend to be more professional. Most of them come through formal youth academies, receiving systematic training. They're like standardized products. Of course, there are also some exceptional and creative talents among them, but there's often a mechanical feel to their play.
This craftsmanship isn't necessarily bad, it's not about good or bad, it's simply a difference in style.
Most South American players are self-taught, without formal academy backgrounds. They rely entirely on their own experience and instincts developed from childhood. They play with fewer constraints, doing as they please on the pitch, pulling off a wide range of spontaneous moves, giving their play a natural, free-flowing quality.
This shows on the pitch: European players make decisions that feel logical and sound, but often lack surprise.
South American players might do things that seem irrational, but every now and then, they'll pull off something truly unexpected.
It's not easy to say which is better.
But when building a team, it's important to consider that if a side is overly focused on logic and structure, then its tactics and patterns can be easily deciphered by the opponent.
Of course, just because you understand it doesn't mean you can stop it.
Take Gao Shen's use of Gareth Bale, for example can it be stopped?
Maybe in the first half, yes. But what happens when your stamina drops in the second half?
That's why Gao Shen wants to bring more South American players into his squad.
The key, though, is that they must be able to integrate seamlessly.
A perfect example of intelligent team play is Suarez's movement.
…
As David Silva dribbled toward Manchester United's penalty area, Suarez hovered between Ferdinand and Vidic.
He was sharp enough to avoid falling into an offside position, constantly adjusting his positioning based on the movement of United's two center-backs.
When Ferdinand decided to step up and challenge for the ball, Vidic clearly understood the signal and also pushed forward.
If Suarez hadn't reacted in time, he would've been caught offside.
Even if David Silva played the perfect pass, the Uruguayan would've been flagged if he'd gone too early.
But Suarez cleverly tracked Vidic's movement at first, retreating with him while pointing to the space behind and to the side of Ferdinand. Then, suddenly, he stopped, lining himself up almost level with Vidic and turned to sprint forward.
David Silva saw Suarez's signal and read it immediately, threading the ball into the space behind Ferdinand.
That initial retreat tricked Vidic into thinking Suarez was going to drop deeper.
But unexpectedly, Suarez turned and exploded forward.
As Silva released the pass, Suarez accelerated past Ferdinand and timed his run to perfection, evading the offside trap with a brilliant piece of movement.
The entire play unfolded in a flash, but explaining it in detail reveals just how intricate it was.
Suarez used clever footwork and movement to shake off Vidic, burst into the box behind Ferdinand, latched onto David Silva's through ball, and calmly slotted it past Foster with a low left-footed strike.
"Goallllllllllllllllllllll!!!!!!"
"0-4!!!"
"Oh my god, before halftime, Manchester City scores again—0-4!!!"
"Manchester United is being completely dismantled tonight, overwhelmed by Manchester City!"
"Ferguson's team is being torn apart at Old Trafford by a well-drilled, dominant Manchester City side."
"We're seeing not only a huge gap in possession but also a clear disparity in dangerous attacks and goals."
After scoring, Suarez sprinted off the pitch in celebration, elated, running with arms wide open.
In just six matches, he's already scored eight Premier League goals!
Something he could've never imagined before joining Manchester City.
Did he suddenly improve dramatically?
Sure, that played a part but more importantly, he now has better teammates around him than he ever had at Ajax. They create far more chances.
And he's only taken advantage of a portion of them.
What truly matters is that head coach Gao Shen hasn't just built an attacking system, he's also given Suarez his full support.
That alone makes Suarez feel electrified.
Joining Manchester City was truly the right choice!
"We can see that Manchester City's attack was incredibly well-executed, especially Suarez. His movement was so clever it completely threw Vidic off."
"He was like a cunning fox, weaving through Manchester United's defense."
"Eight goals in six matches, Suarez is currently the Premier League's top scorer!"
"0-4. Things have gone from bad to worse for Manchester United."
"Ferguson must come up with a better and more effective response at halftime, or this could turn into an outright massacre at the hands of Manchester City."
"This could go down as one of the most humiliating nights for United in the history of the Manchester derby!"
…
The first half ended 0–4.
Old Trafford fell into stunned silence.
Over 75,000 Manchester United supporters sat in confusion and anxiety.
United's players walked off the pitch with their heads down. Even as they passed Ferguson, none dared meet his gaze.
By contrast, the Manchester City squad were all smiles, high spirits across the board, as if they'd just hit the jackpot. The mood starkly contrasted with their neighbors in red.
After Gao Shen hugged each player, he sent them down the tunnel. Before heading in himself, he glanced at Ferguson, who looked slightly embarrassed. The two managers nodded at each other, then turned to their respective dressing rooms.
Back in the away locker room at Old Trafford, City's players were buzzing as they eagerly discussed the first half.
In truth, had they been more clinical, City could've scored even more goals.
But that's football, no one can guarantee perfection.
Most of the players focused their discussions on moments of miscommunication, missed chances, or moments of poor coordination.
And that was a good thing.
These were exactly the kinds of conversations a strong team needs to have.
For example, Suarez turned to Gareth Bale and said, "Try not to send in high crosses in the second half."
"Look at me, do I look like I can win headers against Vidic?"
His words sent the room into laughter.
"Then next time I go at O'Shea, I'll push harder and whip one across the six-yard box. Keep an eye out for a low ball," Bale replied with a grin.
Suarez froze.
The others were stunned too.
This guy still had energy left after that first half?
"Damn, Gareth—are you even human?" Zabaleta groaned.
They were both full-backs, how could there be such a gap?
You get to gallop down the left without pressure, while I'm stuck constantly on edge on the right. How do I explain this as an Argentina international?
The room roared with laughter.
"Actually, it was the boss's plan," Bale admitted. "He said my biggest advantage is my stamina. If we wear them down in the second half, the left wing will be mine."
There was a gleam of intensity in his eyes.
Back at Tottenham, Bale was considered a jinx after appearing in 24 straight matches without a win across two seasons.
Nobody had to say it to his face, he'd seen the comments from reporters and fans.
Of course it had left a mark.
When he moved to Manchester City, he came determined to prove himself.
And when Gao Shen reached out and personally called him, saying he never believed Bale was a "disaster star", those words meant everything.
Because of that call alone, Bale joined City without hesitation.
And now, after tonight's performance, he was brimming with confidence.
Never in his life had he played football like this.
Never before had he been in such a spotlight.
He had thoroughly dismantled a proud, arrogant Manchester United and left them powerless to respond.
What could be more thrilling than that?
"Gareth is right," a deep voice came from the doorway.
"Although United rotated their lineup, many of their players have played back-to-back games. Before the fifth round last weekend, they also had two weeks of international duty. Their energy levels are low."
"Fitness will be our biggest advantage in the second half. If it were me, I'd focus on tightening the midfield. So we mustn't rush things in the second half, we need to stay composed and play patiently."
"We have the midfield strength to hold possession, control the tempo, wear them down."
This was a tactic laid bare.
Even if Ferguson saw through it, what could he do?
He only had three substitutions.
What difference could that make?
"We'll continue playing the same way in the second half," Gao Shen said. "But we must stay calm, don't rush, don't panic. Most importantly, don't give them any chances."
"If United overloads the center, we'll exploit the wings. If they spread out to cover the flanks, we'll attack through the middle. One way or another, opportunities will come."
The entire dressing room nodded in agreement.
After seeing the first half, they all realized, Manchester United wasn't as invincible as they had imagined. There were plenty of flaws in their game.
On the contrary, once City took control of possession and tempo, United was forced into a passive role, defending and counterattacking.
"Everyone, you all know that we've won five in a row this season. Six straight is within reach. But I want more than that. I want us to use this match—this derby—to make our name known."
"I want to tell the entire Premier League—"
"The era of the 'Big Four' is over! The Manchester United era is over too!"
"We, Manchester City, are the new kings of the Premier League! We're going to build a brand new dynasty in this league!"
"And it all starts tonight!"
"After tonight, the sky over Manchester will be blue and soon, the sky over the entire Premier League will be blue!"
(To be continued.)