As the players stepped back onto the pitch, Tiger made his first bold move—Toby Alderweireld replaced the injured Rio Ferdinand. The veteran defender, a pillar of United's success over the years, had struggled against Leverkusen's aggressive attack. His departure marked the beginning of a new defensive era, with Toby's youth and aggression providing much-needed resilience.
From the moment the whistle blew, Leverkusen charged forward. They were determined to seize control, pressing high and testing United's defensive line. But with Vidic standing strong beside Alderweireld, the German side found no easy route through.
However, while United's defense held firm, the attack had lost its edge. With Giggs dropping deeper to help Kante, the midfield lacked its usual spark. On the right wing, Nani was struggling, suffocated by Leverkusen's physical defenders. The Portuguese winger, who on his best days could rival the greats, was invisible tonight.
Nani, once heralded as the heir to Cristiano Ronaldo at Old Trafford, was a shadow of his former self under the bright lights of the Champions League. His trademark flair was absent, his dribbling ineffective, and his confidence seemed drained with each failed attempt to break through Leverkusen's rigid defensive wall.
Each time he received the ball, the towering German defenders closed in on him, suffocating his space and forcing him into hurried decisions. His passes lacked conviction, his first touch betrayed him, and the explosiveness that once defined him was nowhere to be seen. By the time the hour mark approached, it was evident—Nani was offering nothing to Manchester United's attack.
When the board went up showing his number, he barely acknowledged it, trudging off with his head down. The substitution wasn't just tactical; it was a statement. This was a game that demanded warriors, and Nani had failed to rise to the occasion.
Tiger King didn't hesitate.
In the 61st minute, the fourth official raised his board:
🔄 OUT: Nani🔄 IN: Anthony Martial
BTSport commentator Trik reacted immediately: "Well, well! A surprise change from Tiger King! I expected Valencia to come on, but instead, he's throwing the young Martial into the fire! A big risk in such a high-pressure game."
His co-commentator, the former player Norrie, was skeptical: "I'm not convinced, Trik. This is the Champions League! A player like Valencia, with experience, would have been a safer choice. Can Martial really handle the pressure?"
Tiger had no doubts. As Martial sprinted onto the field, Jintaige grabbed him by the shoulder: "Did you see how Mahrez played in the first half? That's your job now! No fear—just run at them. Attack!"
Martial nodded. The moment he stepped onto the pitch, the game changed.
Leverkusen's defenders, having bullied Nani for an hour, were completely unprepared for what was coming.
But Martial wasted no time proving them wrong. Within moments of stepping on the field, he was electric.
Receiving a pass from Giggs, he turned on a dime and charged down the right flank. The Leverkusen defenders, who had comfortably shut down Nani, suddenly found themselves on the back foot. With a burst of pace, Martial glided past one, then another, cutting inside and unleashing a vicious shot from the edge of the box. The ball whistled over the bar, inches away from a dream goal.
The crowd roared in approval. This was different. This was hunger.
At the 66th minute, it was Martial again! This time, he broke past two defenders down the right wing and whipped in a dangerous cross. Rooney tapped the ball in at just the right moment but the Keeper got to it. The ball was deflected, but suddenly, Old Trafford was alive again!
Trik (excitedly): "This kid is electric! I doubted Tiger's decision, but look at this! He's single-handedly shifting the momentum!"
Norrie, shaking his head and laughing, admitted what everyone in the stadium was thinking.
Norrie (laughing): "I take it back! Martial has been on the pitch for five minutes and already done more than Nani did all game!"
On the bench, Nani sat with his arms crossed, his eyes locked on the field. He didn't need a commentator to tell him—the battle for his place in the starting XI had just begun.
With Leverkusen now forced to defend against Martial's speed, Mahrez found new freedom on the opposite flank. It was a perfect storm.
Kante, still nursing a slight knee discomfort, anticipated a Leverkusen pass and intercepted brilliantly. Without hesitation, he launched a long ball forward to Martial.
The young Frenchman sprinted down the wing, dragging three defenders with him. But instead of forcing a cross, he cut the ball across the field with a perfect pass to Mahrez—who was suddenly in acres of space.
Mahrez didn't hesitate. He whipped in a floating cross towards the penalty box.
Waiting in the center—Robin van Persie.
The Dutchman timed his jump perfectly and unleashed a thunderous volley past the helpless goalkeeper. GOAL!!!
Old Trafford erupted!
Trik: "VAN PERSIEEEE! THAT'S A STRIKER'S FINISH! Manchester United are BACK IN THE LEAD! 3-2!"
Norrie (yelling over the noise): "This is Tiger's genius! The substitution changed everything! Martial, Mahrez, Van Persie—MAGIC!"
On the sidelines, Jin Taige roared in triumph, pumping his fists as he embraced his coaching staff. But he wasn't done yet.
He started barking orders at the Red Devils on the field. "One is not enough. Keep going!"
As the game restarted, Leverkusen was now desperate. They pushed forward recklessly, leaving gaps at the back. Tiger saw his chance.
🔄 OUT: Giggs🔄 IN: Kagawa
Rooney dropped deeper to control the midfield, and United were now set up to strike on the counter.
It took only two minutes for the final dagger to be plunged.
Martial—again at the center of the chaos—picked up the ball on the right and found Rooney at the edge of the box.
Rooney unleashed a powerful shot—the goalkeeper parried it—but the ball fell right to Van Persie!
There was only ever going to be one outcome.
GOOOOOOAAAALLLL!!!
Van Persie completed his hat-trick, and Manchester United had sealed the victory—4-2!
Trik (ecstatic): "VAN PERSIE HAT-TRICK! WHAT A PERFORMANCE! MANCHESTER UNITED HAVE CONQUERED LEVERKUSEN!"
Norrie (laughing): "And to think we doubted Tiger's substitutions! This man knows what he's doing!"
As the final whistle blew, Old Trafford erupted in joy.
On the sidelines, Tiger King embraced Van Persie, then turned to his team with fire in his eyes.
"THIS is Manchester United!" he shouted to his players, "We don't back down! We don't collapse! We FIGHT!"
The team and the crowd erupted into cheers. United had passed their first big test in the Champions League.
For some, it was just one match. But for Tiger King, for Manchester United, it was something more.
It was proof that the Red Devils still belonged among Europe's elite.