The Manchester rain fell in a steady drizzle as Old Trafford roared to life. The floodlights cut through the evening gloom, painting the pitch in shimmering reflections. United vs. Liverpool—more than a match, a war of legacies.
Ibukun adjusted his gloves, feeling the weight of the occasion. The System hummed in his mind, not as an overlord, but as a silent partner.
**>> CONDITIONS:
>> - PITCH: WET (BALL MOVING 12% FASTER)
>> - OPPONENT PRESS: HIGH (LIVERPOOL'S 4-3-3 TRAP)
>> - MISSION: IMPACT THE GAME <<**
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### **First Half – The Battle Begins**
**3rd Minute – Early Test**
Liverpool's press was suffocating. Van Dijk stepped into midfield, intercepting a loose pass from Casemiro. A quick switch to Salah, who darted down the right.
Lisandro Martínez didn't bite on the feint—stood his ground, timed the tackle perfectly. The ball ricocheted to Dalot, who launched it upfield.
**Ibukun's Movement:**
- Curved his run to stay onside
- Shielded the ball from Fabinho with a strong forearm
- Flicked a one-touch pass to Bruno Fernandes spinning away from Thiago
Bruno took a touch, then unleashed a 25-yard curler—**clang!** Off the crossbar. The crowd groaned, then erupted in applause.
**>> FEEDBACK:
>> - CREATED 0.7 XG FROM PASS
>> - WEAK FOOT USAGE: 0% (MISSED OPPORTUNITY) <<**
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**22nd Minute – The Duel**
Trent Alexander-Arnold tried to take him on. Big mistake.
Ibukun received a pass from Eriksen, back to goal. Trent pressed high, trying to force a mistake.
**The Dribble:**
- Drop of the shoulder, fake left
- Quick drag-back with the right foot
- Exploded past Trent's lunge
He was free. Robertson scrambled across, but too late—Ibukun whipped in a low cross.
**Garnacho's Run:**
- Timed it perfectly, darting between Konaté and Van Dijk
- Stretched, toe-poked it… **saved by Alisson!**
Garnacho pounded the turf in frustration. Ibukun pulled him up. **"Next one's in."**
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### **38th Minute – The Breakthrough**
Liverpool lost possession in midfield. Casemiro pounced, feeding Rashford on the left.
**The Build-Up:**
- Rashford drove inward, drawing three defenders
- Slid a pass to Bruno at the edge of the box
- Bruno dummy'd, letting it roll to Ibukun
**The Shot:**
- First touch to set, **weak foot** (75% mastery)
- No backlift, just pure instinct
- **SWERVE.** The ball bent around Van Dijk's outstretched leg, kissed the inside of the post, and bulged the net.
**GOAL. 1-0 UNITED.**
**>> WEAK-FOOT MASTERY: 78%
>> LP EARNED: +1,500 <<**
**Celebration:**
- Ibukun slid toward the corner flag, arms wide
- Garnacho leaped onto his back
- Even Ten Hag pumped his fists on the touchline
The Kop End fell silent. The Stretford End? **Bedlam.**
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### **Second Half – Liverpool's Response**
**53rd Minute – Close Call**
Salah twisted Dalot inside out, cut inside, and fired. **De Gea's fingertips.** Corner.
Trent's delivery—Van Dijk rose highest, **thunderous header!**
**Martínez's Heroics:**
- Threw himself in front of the shot
- Took it square in the chest
- Collapsed, but **cleared it while sitting down**
The crowd chanted his name. **"LISANDRO! LISANDRO!"**
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**67th Minute – The Miss**
United broke fast. Fernandes to Rashford, who squared it to Ibukun.
**Open net. Just slot it.**
But—**heavy touch!** The ball bobbled, and his weak-foot stab went wide.
**>> ERROR:
>> - TOO MUCH POWER ON FIRST TOUCH
>> - WEAK-FOOT MASTERY DROPPED TO 73% <<**
Rashford glared. **"Wake up!"**
Ibukun clenched his fists. **No excuses.**
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### **78th Minute – Redemption**
Liverpool pushed for an equalizer. Spaces opened.
Eriksen intercepted, looked up, and **launched a 40-yard diagonal.**
**Ibukun's Run:**
- Timed it perfectly, staying onside
- Outpaced Robertson
- Controlled the ball mid-stride, killing its momentum
**One-on-one with Alisson.**
**The Finish:**
- Opened his body, feigned far post
- At the last second, **toe-poked near corner**
- Alisson committed, **no chance.**
**GOAL. 2-0 UNITED.**
**>> WEAK-FOOT MASTERY: 80%
>> LP EARNED: +2,000 <<**
**Celebration:**
- Pointed to Eriksen in gratitude
- Cupped his ear to the silenced Kop
- Garnacho mimicked his celebration in front of Trent
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### **Full Time – Legacy Cemented**
The whistle blew. United had done it.
**Stats:**
- **Ibukun:** 2 goals, 3 chances created, 88% pass accuracy
- **Martínez:** 9 clearances, 4 tackles
- **Garnacho:** 4 dribbles completed, constant menace
Ten Hag embraced him. **"That's the standard."**
As the fans sang, Ibukun looked around—the rain, the lights, the history.
No shadows. No fear.
Just **football.**
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