After Casemiro leaves Manchester United after the 2026 World Cup, the Red Devils midfielder is in the midst of a rebuild.
When Manchester United was chasing top midfielders such as Ederson, Chuameni, Anderson, Walton, Baleba, and Tonali, an 18-year-old midfielder from China quietly appeared on the last line of Carrington's training list.
He has no wealthy resume, no top league experience, and no one believes he can stay.
On the first day of physical examination, he didn't have enough strength.
In training the next day, he was beaten by a youth player.
On the third day of the confrontation, he was knocked over by Ugarte.
In the first preseason game, he didn't even make the roster.
But Cui Xiaoshan only remembered one thing:
No one will give in to the position of the midfielder.
Then grab it.
From training and evaluating players, to cup substitutes, to Premier League rotations, to starting in the Champions League final.
Years later, a banner hung in the North Stand of Old Trafford:
After Casemiro, Manchester United waited for its own Chinese No. 6.
Keep it till you die [awkward laugh]