Chapter 347: The Duel at the Press Conference

Chapter 347: The Duel at the Press Conference

After his perfect appearance in front of Manchester United fans, Bruno quickly shifted his focus.

When he appeared in the Old Trafford press conference room accompanied by the United press officer, he had already changed out of his jersey and into a suit.

By this time, the press room was filled with over sixty media outlets from around the world. The reason for having only sixty media present wasn't due to a lack of interest but because Old Trafford's press room could only accommodate so many reporters. The limited capacity of the press room was often criticized as unbefitting of a top-tier club like Manchester United. Over the years, the club had tried to improve this situation, but space constraints made it difficult.

The press conference began with Bruno's greeting in perfect, fluent English, which was met with a thunderous round of applause.

Regarding his appearance that evening, Bruno expressed his gratitude and described the event as spectacular.

"Before tonight, I was quite worried. Since it was a Monday, a working day, I feared there wouldn't be many people. But not only was the stadium full, but the area outside was also packed with fans. This moved me deeply," he said.

"Undoubtedly, I've felt the passion of Manchester United fans. This is one of the best nights of my life, and it also brings pressure and motivation. I hope to live up to their expectations, fulfill their wishes, and help Manchester United achieve revival and return to the top."

Reflecting on his decision to leave Udinese, Bruno said he would always cherish his time there.

"I spent three years at Udinese, which was another turning point in my life. I improved myself, gained valuable friendships, and won everything there. Until I felt it was time for a change, I came to Manchester United, which is the best choice for me."

"Before deciding to leave Udinese, I shared my thoughts with my friends. They understood, supported, and respected my decision. They know this is life, this is professional football, and many things are beyond our control."

"I will face new challenges in a new club and league. This is very exciting for me. There are the best players and the toughest opponents here. I must give my 100% effort to help the team and achieve my goals."

When asked if he could adapt to the Premier League, Bruno confidently stated he had no issues.

Compared to the declining Serie A, the Premier League was more competitive, with more physical confrontations and faster pace, but he believed he could adapt.

A journalist brought up the local rivals, Manchester City, noting that the new season would see Pep Guardiola take the helm.

Guardiola, a master of tiki-taka tactics, had achieved great success at Barcelona and Bayern Munich. His arrival would undoubtedly pose a significant challenge to the Premier League and Manchester United, potentially becoming the main obstacle to United's revival.

"I believe we should respect Manchester City and Guardiola's achievements. Their combination will create wonderful changes, potentially altering the Premier League and European football landscape. This should be a learning opportunity for all teams, including us at Manchester United. But at the same time, we should not underestimate ourselves. City and Guardiola are not invincible, and neither is tiki-taka."

Regarding his position on the field, Bruno mentioned he had not yet had a chance to discuss it thoroughly with Mourinho.

"But I believe this won't be an issue. Jose is a great coach, and I'm sure he has plans. I can play any position in the front line without any problem."

When asked about Rooney, Bruno said, "He is a club legend and an irreplaceable authority in the dressing room. I don't think anyone can replace his position at the club. But I believe under Rooney's leadership, we can help Manchester United out of its current difficulties and reach new heights."

Bruno also addressed Manchester United's poor performance over the past three years, stating, "Any team will experience fluctuations in performance after losing a great coach. But I believe this situation will soon change because this is what all Manchester United people hope for."

"Manchester United has undergone significant changes this summer. We now have a very strong squad. Around me are outstanding teammates. We will fight for the championship. We have a great coach, and combined with the club's great tradition, I believe that as long as we work well together and maintain our composure, no team will be able to stop us from achieving success."

Bruno emphasized that team success depends not on one person but on the collective effort and cooperation of everyone in the team. This humble attitude earned him unanimous approval from the media present. It was clear that this superstar, brought in for a record two hundred million euros, had not let the evening's craziness go to his head and remained level-headed.

However, the press conference wasn't all pleasant. Some reporters deliberately tried to trip up Bruno.

One journalist asked if Bruno was worried about conflicts with other top stars in the team, given the presence of himself, Ibrahimovic, and Rooney.

This question drew laughter from the room, with many journalists appreciating the tricky question.

Bruno thought for a moment and replied that he and Ibrahimovic and Rooney would be the best teammates on the pitch.

But his evasive answer didn't satisfy everyone, so another reporter asked who Bruno thought was the best player in the world, given that both Rooney and Ibrahimovic had called Bruno the best player in their interviews.

This question again drew laughter and excitement from the crowd, anticipating Bruno's response.

Bruno realized it was a trap. Claiming himself as the best would seem arrogant; naming Rooney or Ibrahimovic might offend the other; and naming Ronaldo or Messi would downplay his own status.

As many were ready to see him stumble, Bruno suddenly had a clever idea. "I think it's Mourinho!" he said.

Everyone was momentarily stunned.

Bruno continued with a smile, "The reason is simple. He has the best three players in the world under his command. He is the strongest."

After a moment of reflection, the audience burst into applause.

Mourinho, once a player himself and now United's manager, indeed had Bruno, Rooney, and Ibrahimovic. While it might seem a bit tricky, it was a fitting and acceptable answer.

The enthusiastic reaction of the crowd showed their appreciation for Bruno's clever response.

Several more reporters asked Bruno various questions, including about his personal life.

His relationship with Vanessa had already been uncovered by relentless paparazzi. However, Vanessa was no longer the media-blacklisted person she once was, and their low-profile relationship hadn't caused much stir. The media coverage of this aspect was minimal.

"Thank you for your concern. Our relationship is very good. As for when we will get married, we haven't considered it yet. We are both still young and have our careers. For now, my priority is the game and the team; that's my responsibility. Of course, I don't rule out future changes. If we plan anything, we will let everyone know as soon as possible, I promise."

Unlike other celebrities, Bruno and Vanessa had been loyal to each other since confirming their relationship, with no scandals ever surfacing.

Manchester's nightlife might be enticing, and English women might be enthusiastic, but Bruno expressed his confidence in staying focused. Unlike his national team senior Ronaldo, who had once indulged in the local temptations, Bruno had no interest in such distractions.

"I am very clear that I came to Manchester United to succeed!"

Regarding his status as the first player in history to command a transfer fee exceeding two hundred million euros, Bruno said, "I think this price is fair because both Manchester United and Udinese agreed to it, which explains everything. I hope to prove my worth on the pitch and show everyone that I am worth this transfer fee. I aim to be one of the best players in Manchester United's history, maybe even the best!"

For once, Bruno revealed his ambitious side. He didn't want to live under the pressure and shadow of his two hundred million euro transfer fee. He wanted to break through and prove to everyone that he was worth every penny of that record fee.

The press conference lasted over an hour, during which Bruno answered numerous questions from reporters worldwide. Eventually, due to time constraints, he bid farewell to the media under the press officer's reminder.

Nevertheless, Bruno's first appearance and his demeanor during the press conference were unanimously praised by the journalists. Consistent with his usual image, Bruno remained humble yet confident, with a subtle assertiveness.

All the media present were well aware that for many years to come, they would continue to interact and contend with this newly crowned FIFA Ballon d'Or winner.

(End of Chapter)

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