Chapter 846: Third in History
Even with a five-goal lead, Manchester United showed no intention of easing off.
Bruno Fernandes continued to play with tireless energy, his rhythm and confidence surging as the match went on. He felt his touch returning—his hunger for goals stronger than ever.
Barely nine minutes after his previous strike, United launched another offensive wave.
On the right flank, João Cancelo overlapped quickly. Mason Greenwood found space and fed him on the wing.
Cancelo's first-time cross flew into the penalty area—perfect in technique but perilously close to goal. Southampton keeper Alex McCarthy leapt bravely and punched clear, colliding hard with Scott McTominay.
The ball, however, dropped right at the edge of the box. Bruno had been lurking nearby, like a predator ready to strike.
Without letting it bounce, he pivoted and smashed a full-volley strike.
The stadium held its breath—then erupted.
6–0!
Bruno sprinted toward the crowd again, arms outstretched, gliding across the pitch like a man possessed.
...
"Unbelievable! Absolutely breathtaking! What a strike!" shouted the commentator.
"Bruno with a stunning volley—his second of the match! Career Premier League goal number 187! He has now equaled United legend Andy Cole for third on the all-time Premier League scoring list! Ahead of him stand only Wayne Rooney (208) and Alan Shearer (260)!"
"What's even more fascinating is that Rooney—Manchester United's iconic captain—is directly above Bruno, while Shearer began his legendary journey at today's opposing club, Southampton."
"At just 26 years old, Bruno's numbers are staggering: 187 goals in only 169 Premier League matches—making him officially the most efficient goalscorer in league history, and arguably in all of Europe's top five competitions."
"But Bruno isn't only about scoring. He's also a master creator. So far, he's registered 111 assists—equaling Cesc Fàbregas for second all-time in the Premier League, behind Ryan Giggs on 162."
"And fittingly, Bruno matched Fàbregas's assist tally in the last round against Arsenal—Fàbregas's former club and the site of his best years."
"This week, he faces Southampton and climbs to third in goals. Last week, Arsenal for assists. So—could Bruno actually catch, or even surpass, Alan Shearer one day?"
"Once considered untouchable, Shearer's 260 goals stood as the unreachable summit for decades. But Bruno, with 187 already in just five seasons and 169 games, sits only 73 goals away. At his current rate, that's barely two more seasons of scoring!"
...
On the touchline, Mourinho clenched his fists and shouted in triumph.
"Don't stop! There's still time! Score more!"
The Portuguese tactician, often divisive among fans, looked vindicated. Loved by many yet criticized by others for being 'too defensive,' Mourinho was now overseeing one of the most attacking sides in Europe.
Those who accused him of parking the bus, ignoring youth, or straining relationships clearly didn't understand.
They said Mourinho couldn't attack—because his defenses were too dominant. At his peak, even modest teams like Porto had suffocated Europe's elite. His Chelsea conceded just 15 league goals in a season, making simply scoring against them cause for celebration.
But few acknowledged that Mourinho's teams were also prolific. He remains a record-holder—breaking the century mark for goals across multiple seasons and smashing league-wide scoring records.
...
In 2011–12, his Real Madrid scored 121 league goals—a La Liga record—and 174 in all competitions, surpassing Barcelona's 'galactic' attacking output. The following season brought 153 goals in 61 matches; the one before, 148 in 59.
Ironically, Mourinho's true offensive peak came at Manchester United.
In his first season (2016–17), United scored 171 times across 64 games—just shy of his Madrid record. Ninety-six of those came in the Premier League.
The next year, 2017–18, was historic: United hit 121 league goals, tying Mourinho's Spanish record for domestic scoring, and an absurd 201 goals in all competitions across 65 matches—a European all-time single-season record.
In 2018–19, they tallied 107 league goals, 190 total. The numbers continued at elite level—106 league goals and 180 overall in 2019–20.
Even in earlier stints, his teams consistently broke the hundred-goal mark: 117 in 2006–07, 116 in 2002–03, and 109 in 2014–15.
In total, Mourinho oversees ten seasons with 100+ goals—matching Pep Guardiola exactly, though Pep's reputation for attacking football far exceeds the numbers.
To say Mourinho "can't attack" is nonsense; he's the record-holder for total goals across Europe's top leagues.
...
"Rui," Mourinho grinned toward assistant Rui Faria, voice brimming with confidence. "I can feel it—this season, in England and in Europe, no one can stop us."
Faria nodded. "I think you're right."
United had already scored 59 league goals, more than any rival, and 106 goals in 36 overall matches—averaging nearly three per game.
United's midfield was dominating—Bellingham and Bruno pushing high, Fred anchoring deep, feeding a constant barrage forward. McTominay's hold-up play, alongside Rashford and Greenwood's pace, gave Bruno space to work his magic.
As a long-time observer of European football, Faria agreed: Manchester United were the most complete side on the continent.
The season was only halfway, but the Red Devils looked unstoppable—favorites both domestically and abroad.
Real Madrid were struggling to recover from losing Cristiano Ronaldo; Barcelona had declined after the aging of Xavi and Iniesta; Liverpool and City couldn't keep up at home or in Europe.
Only Bayern Munich remained dangerous—Lewandowski's goals kept them alive. But United's dominance looked inevitable.
...
With six goals on the board, United finally slowed their pace.
Southampton, battered and exhausted, tried to heal the wound through pride—seeking at least one goal to save face.
Reversal was impossible, but a consolation? Maybe.
They pushed forward—but before the ball could even cross midfield, Fred intercepted.
A quick pass to Bruno—then one simple touch—a through ball slicing between the left-back and center-back.
McTominay sprinted in behind, timing his run perfectly. He met the pass, entered the box, and slotted it calmly into the net.
Another goal!
The Scotsman's momentum carried him to the ground—where he rose on his knees, arms spread to the sky in celebration.
"A brace for McTominay!" shouted the commentator.
"Following Bruno's double, United have another two-goal hero! This is madness—Manchester United have now scored SEVEN goals!"
"It's the second time this season United have scored seven in one match—the last was December, when they crushed Leeds United 7–2!"
"That night, Bruno recorded two goals and two assists. Tonight, he repeats history again!"
(END CHAPTER)
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