Su Luo delivered another sharp long pass, this time perfectly finding Lukaku.
Positioned in the penalty area, Lukaku leaned back against Smalling, using his incredible physical strength to hold his ground.
Lukaku wasn't at a disadvantage against Smalling at all. With a slight push, he managed to turn around forcibly.
In the next instant, he didn't slow down.
As soon as he turned, Lukaku took the shot.
The movement was smooth and seamless, almost artistic in its execution.
Most impressively, Lukaku's shot packed immense power.
The ball flew like a cannonball, heading straight for the goal with perfect accuracy.
The defenders didn't even have a chance to react.
In what seemed like the blink of an eye, the ball was already heading toward the net.
The pressure now fell squarely on De Gea.
To De Gea's credit, his focus was razor-sharp.
The moment Lukaku unleashed his shot, De Gea responded with an instinctive and lightning-fast dive.
Stretching out with both hands, De Gea successfully deflected the powerful strike, leaving Lukaku's effort futile.
From the stands, groans of disappointment echoed.
Chelsea fans were visibly upset.
To them, Lukaku's shot had seemed like a sure goal.
But this is football, and sometimes the brilliance of a goalkeeper like De Gea can turn certainty into heartbreak.
The score remained 3–2.
As the game clock ticked down, the pressure on Manchester United players grew with each passing second.
Their nerves were starting to show.
With just fifteen minutes left on the clock, Manchester United faced a grim reality—they were running out of time to equalize.
Having already lost to Chelsea in the European Super Cup, Manchester United's players, fans, and especially coach José Mourinho were determined to avoid a repeat.
They were desperate to find a way to win.
But in football, desire alone isn't enough.
Mourinho, ever the strategist, decided it was time for a change.
He called for a substitution.
Fellaini replaced Mkhitaryan.
Mkhitaryan had struggled throughout the match. Chelsea's tight defensive marking had rendered him ineffective, and he couldn't find a way to break free.
He had become a liability—a player offering little value but difficult to replace.
Yet with time running out, Mourinho had no choice but to act.
So, in came Fellaini, the ultimate utility player.
Well-known for his aerial prowess, Fellaini offered Mourinho a different tactical option.
Not only was he strong in the air, but he also provided a defensive presence in midfield and could double as a target man up front.
That's exactly why Mourinho made the change.
With Fellaini's arrival, Manchester United's approach shifted.
The match reached the 80th minute, and Mourinho's gamble was about to be tested.
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