Tiger King's decision to shake up the lineup for the third friendly match against Hong Kong Zhijie surprised many. With his summer signings making the starting eleven, it was clear he was testing the depth and chemistry of his revamped squad.
The most eye-catching change was in goal—De Gea was rested, and the young Brazilian talent Alisson was given his chance to shine. In defense, Tiger introduced a physically imposing partnership of Rio Ferdinand and Virgil van Dijk. The duo's sheer presence made them a formidable barrier for any attacker. Marcos Alonso took the left-back role, while Valencia, normally a winger, was deployed as a makeshift right-back in an unexpected tactical move.
The midfield pairing featured the highly anticipated debut of N'Golo Kanté, whose relentless energy and defensive prowess would provide the team with much-needed stability. Alongside him, the legendary Ryan Giggs was tasked with orchestrating the attack. On the flanks, Mahrez was given his first start on the left, while Nani, despite his struggles in the first match, retained his place on the right—perhaps a chance for redemption.
Up front, the attacking duo was an exciting mix of experience and youth. Wayne Rooney, the battle-hardened leader, spearheaded the attack, with the electric young prospect Anthony Martial operating just behind him, ready to exploit spaces with his pace and dribbling.
As the players took their positions, anticipation filled the air. This wasn't just another friendly—it was a glimpse into the future of Manchester United under Tiger King's vision.
Tiger King leaned back in his seat, watching the match unfold with a quiet confidence. His tactical adjustments were paying off. Unlike the previous games, where midfield frailties had cost them dearly, this time, N'Golo Kanté was proving to be a game-changer.
From the first whistle, Kanté's presence was unmistakable. He covered vast areas of the pitch, breaking up attacks before they could even reach the defense. His relentless pressing disrupted Hong Kong Zhijie's rhythm, forcing them into hurried passes and turnovers.
Scholes, still analyzing the game, couldn't help but admire the French midfielder's performance. "Captain, you were right. With Kanté controlling the midfield, the defense is under much less pressure. The opposition can't even get a clean shot at goal."
Tiger King chuckled. "Exactly, Paul. That's the kind of solidity we were missing in the last two matches. In the second game, we conceded twice because we lacked a true defensive midfielder. Now, look at the difference."
Scholes nodded, watching as Kanté intercepted another pass, quickly shifting play forward to Giggs, who in turn directed traffic with his pinpoint passing. Despite his age, Giggs still exuded class, orchestrating attacks with intelligence and composure.
Their dominance soon turned into a lead. At the 12th minute, Mahrez, showing his technical brilliance, danced past defenders on the left wing before cutting inside. His movement wreaked havoc on the opponent's backline, forcing them to collapse toward him. Seizing the moment, he slipped the ball across to Martial, who had found space near the far post. Instead of taking the shot himself, Martial unselfishly squared the ball to the onrushing Icardi, who made no mistake from close range—1-0 to Manchester United.
As the team celebrated, Giggs jogged over to Mahrez, patting him on the back. "That was a great pass, young man. Keep it up."
Mahrez beamed. "Thanks, captain. I'll do my best."
As Giggs turned away, he felt a strange lightness, a realization creeping in. Watching Mahrez excel in his old position, a thought lingered in his mind—perhaps the time for transition had arrived.
As the match progressed, Tiger King leaned back in his seat, arms crossed, observing the flow of the game. Scholes, sitting beside him, suddenly chuckled.
"Captain, I have to say, you've chosen Ryan's heir well," Scholes said, nodding toward the pitch where Mahrez was causing havoc on the left wing.
"Well, pretty good," Phelan continued, his gaze fixed on the midfield. Eric Steele piped in, "And Roy Keane's successor is also perfect."
Behind them, Vidic, who had been silently watching, leaned forward. "My heir is looking great too," he said, his voice filled with admiration. "Van Dijk has the qualities I lacked. He could even be the future captain. Unlike me, he's a natural leader."
Tiger King raised an eyebrow and turned toward Vidic. "You were a great captain, Nemanja."
Vidic shook his head. "I led with my actions, but I was never a talker. Van Dijk can do both. That's the difference."
Scholes smirked. "And what about Ferdinand's successor? Toby looks solid, but he doesn't have that same flair for leadership."
Vidic nodded in agreement. "Toby is reliable, intelligent, and disciplined, but he's not vocal like Rio was. Still, as long as he does his job, that's what matters."
Tiger King listened to them with a sense of pride. His team was taking shape. The painful lessons from the first two friendlies had forced him to reevaluate his squad, and now, with his new signings proving their worth, he could see the Red Devils' future unfolding before his eyes.
Scholes' assessment of Kanté as Keane's heir was spot on. The Frenchman was everywhere, breaking up play, covering for teammates, and ensuring that no opposition attack could develop smoothly. His energy, tenacity, and reading of the game were exactly what Manchester United had been missing.
Vidic, still watching Van Dijk closely, added, "Strong in the air, calm on the ball, and has a commanding presence. If he keeps improving, he could wear the captain's armband one day."
Tiger King took it all in, watching the match with quiet satisfaction. Kanté, Van Dijk, Toby and Mahrez were proving their worth. They were young, hungry, and had the potential to carry Manchester United into a new era.
Looking at the pitch, he smiled. "The future of the Red Devils is in good hands."
As the first half drew to a close, the score read 3-0 with a strike from Rooney and, a brace from Martial.
Tiger praised the players for their amazing performance. Well, except for Alisson, who did not have a chance to touch the ball in the first half.
Just at the start of the second half, within the first five minutes, the substitution card was read which showed Giggs coming off for Kagawa.
"Ryan, you've done a great job," Tiger King said. "It's a good thing you spent most of your career on the wing. If you had played in the midfield earlier, Paul might have had some real competition."
Scholes, hearing this, grinned and spread his hands. "Ryan is now a master of the middle, and I'm a retired person now"
Giggs chuckled as he took a sip of water. "Well, Paul, at least I let you have your glory years before I took over."
The three old friends burst into laughter, sharing a moment of camaraderie on the sidelines. It was moments like these that made Tiger King appreciate how much experience, wisdom, and history they carried with them—something that would be invaluable for the next generation of Red Devils.
ringing Kagawa on wasn't purely a tactical decision—it also had a commercial aspect. Before the game, Woodward had specifically requested that Kagawa be given some minutes, ensuring Manchester United maintained good relations with their Japanese sponsors. Now, with the lead secured, Tiger King saw no harm in accommodating the request. After all, these relationships played a crucial role in future transfer negotiations and financial backing.
Tiger King made several substitution adjustments in succession. First, he brought on Jesse Lingard to replace Nani, who had put in a much-improved performance compared to his previous outing. Nani had been more involved, less selfish on the ball, and had contributed well to the team's attacking flow. As he came off, Tiger King gave him an approving pat on the shoulder—an acknowledgment of the winger's hard work.
He also swapped Ferdinand out who was exhausted after repeated performances and brought in Smalling. Smalling, showed his inconsistent colors again and messed up a simple defense, allowing the opponents to score a consolation goal.
Next, he swapped Rooney for Hernandez, aiming to keep up the attacking pressure. Hernandez, always a poacher in the box, wasted no time in making an impact. Just minutes after coming on, he found himself in the right place at the right time, slotting home a well-placed cross to extend Manchester United's lead to 5-0.
Tiger King nodded in satisfaction. The new signings had settled in well, the attacking play was fluid, and even the commercial obligations had been met without disrupting the team's rhythm. As the match neared its conclusion, he knew this was the kind of performance that set the tone for the rest of the preseason.
The final score of this game was fixed at 5 to 1.
On the bus returning to the hotel, Tiger King called Kante over and patted the seat beside him. "Kante, I noticed something today," Tiger King said. "You moved back a lot, expanding the defensive coverage. What made you decide to do that?"
Kante scratched his head, his fierce presence on the pitch replaced by his usual humility. "I saw Smalling and Van Dijk needed help, and since I still had plenty of energy, I figured I should drop back and support them. My stamina is good, so I just push forward when we attack and fall back when we defend."
Tiger King nodded, deep in thought. Kante hesitated, misreading the silence. "Boss, did I overstep? If you think I shouldn't have adjusted my position like that, I'll be more careful next time."
"No, no," Tiger King reassured him quickly. "Kante, what you did was excellent. You have a natural instinct for reading the game, and that's invaluable. Keep developing that awareness, and in time, you won't just be one of the best defensive midfielders in the world—you'll be the best."
Kante looked down, slightly embarrassed by the praise but determined to live up to it.
Tiger King didn't say anything more. He leaned back in his seat, closing his eyes as if to rest. Outside the bus window, the neon-lit streets of Osaka glowed with life, but his thoughts had already drifted thousands of miles away—back to England, back to Manchester, back to Old Trafford.