paranoianovel Chapter 398 - 4: Manchester united vs Wolves -The Bench Was Only Temporary II
Chapter 398 - 4: Manchester united vs Wolves -The Bench Was Only Temporary II
Wolves tested him almost immediately because professional teams always did that to new substitutes.
Demien received his first pass near the right side of midfield with a Wolves player closing from behind while another blocked the forward option, and the crowd’s noise sharpened because this was the test everyone expected—Premier League pressure with physical contact with no time to breathe.
「TRAIT ACTIVATED」
Press Resistant
His first touch stayed close so the ball didn’t bounce away from his body, and he shifted his weight between the ball and the defender while letting the pressure arrive before rolling away from the challenge as the second Wolves player tried to trap him.
He played a clean pass into Casemiro before immediately moving into a new angle where he could receive again.
Not flashy though elite in its simplicity.
"Good first involvement from Walter," the commentator noted. "Calm under pressure which is exactly what United needed in that area."
Casemiro gave him a small nod that mattered more than crowd applause because it meant the senior midfielder approved.
Three minutes later Demien repeated the pattern when Wolves tried closing him quickly, yet he didn’t panic because the Press Resistant trait kept his decision-making clear while he received, shielded, released, then kept moving.
United’s rhythm began settling into something more controlled because the ball stopped coming back at them so quickly.
Demien dropped beside Casemiro to receive on the half-turn while Wolves’ midfield stepped toward Bruno expecting the ball to go central.
「LEGENDARY SKILL ACTIVATED」
Andrea Pirlo — Deep-Lying Playmaker
The pitch opened in his mind so he saw patterns before they fully formed—Wolves’ midfield stepping forward left space behind them, Rashford preparing to run before the defender reacted, the line appearing two seconds before anyone else could see it.
His right foot struck the ball with perfect weight so the pass split Wolves’ midfield threading between two players before reaching Rashford’s run into the channel.
「STATS ACTIVE»
Vision: 81 | Short Passing: 88
Rashford drove forward with the ball forcing Wolves’ back line to retreat desperately, and though the move didn’t become a goal it changed the mood because Old Trafford reacted to the pass quality.
"What a ball from Walter! That’s the first time United have really split Wolves’ midfield cleanly. Different profile entirely."
The commentator’s partner agreed. "He’s immediately given United a cleaner route through the middle. That’s why Ten Hag brought him on."
Three minutes later Wolves tried pressing Demien harder because they’d recognized he was becoming United’s main ball progression route.
He received in the right half-space with one defender stepping in aggressively while another covered the inside lane, and for a moment the press looked successful because both passing options were blocked.
Then muscle memory took over.
「LEGENDARY SKILL ACTIVATED」
Claudio Marchisio — Balanced Engine
His body dropped low so the first touch dragged the ball across his body using the outside of his right boot, and the defender’s momentum carried him past while Demien spun through the gap.
The second defender closed immediately yet Demien’s left foot flicked the ball between his legs using La Croqueta.
Old Trafford rose because this was the first true moment that showed why United had paid sixty-two million.
He wasn’t dribbling for decoration—he was breaking pressure that had troubled United all match.
After escaping the double-team his head lifted.
「LEGENDARY SKILL ACTIVATED」
Mesut Özil — Through Ball Specialist
The passing lane appeared narrow though visible, and he threaded the ball into Bruno inside the box where United’s captain took it first-time forcing a strong save from Wolves’ goalkeeper.
Chance created.
"Brilliant from Walter! That’s two players beaten then a perfect pass into Bruno. He’s been on the pitch ten minutes and already created one of United’s clearest chances."
The second commentator was effusive. "This is exactly the profile United needed. Control when required, creativity when space opens. Very impressive debut so far."
Wolves now hesitated when closing him because the Marseille Roulette into La Croqueta combination had shown them he could beat pressure individually if they committed too hard.
That hesitation gave United control they’d lacked all match.
Seventy-sixth minute United built from midfield while Wolves pushed up trying to force another turnover because they needed an equalizer.
The ball came to Demien under pressure though this time he didn’t recycle backward.
「TRAIT ACTIVATED」
Press Resistant
His body stayed balanced through the contact so the defender couldn’t knock him off the ball, and his head lifted while options materialized.
「LEGENDARY SKILL ACTIVATED»
Andrea Pirlo — Deep-Lying Playmaker
He saw the movement before everyone else—Bruno dragging a marker away left, Rashford pinning the center-back centrally, Varane beginning a late run toward the far post from a recycled position after United’s corner had been cleared moments earlier.
The lane was narrow between two Wolves defenders with barely eighteen inches of space.
Almost impossible.
Then his right foot shaped the pass.
「LEGENDARY SKILL ACTIVATED」
Mesut Özil — Through Ball Specialist
The ball clipped over the first Wolves defender with perfect trajectory before dropping behind the second defender where Varane attacked it at full speed.
The French center-back’s header was powerful though accurate, and Wolves’ goalkeeper had no chance.
Old Trafford exploded.
Manchester United 2-0 Wolverhampton Wanderers
The celebration reached Demien immediately because Varane pointed toward him while sprinting in his direction, and Bruno grabbed him first with Casemiro arriving to thump his chest while the crowd noise doubled.
"WHAT A PASS! Demien Walter with a quite brilliant assist on his Premier League debut! Look at the weight, look at the trajectory—that’s world-class delivery!"
The second commentator was equally impressed. "He’s changed this match completely since coming on. United were vulnerable at 1-0, now they’re comfortable at 2-0, and Walter’s been central to everything good in the last fifteen minutes."
The replay showed the pass from three angles—the vision to spot Varane’s run, the technique to bend it between defenders, the weight that put it exactly where only the center-back could reach it.
This was the emotional peak of his Premier League debut because he’d come from the bench then changed the match.
After the second goal Wolves were forced to open up because trailing 2-0 with twelve minutes remaining meant they had nothing to lose.
This created more space for United to exploit.
Eighty-second minute United won possession near midfield so Demien received with room ahead, and instead of slowing the match he carried forward because the game situation demanded killing it completely.
A Wolves midfielder stepped across to stop him yet Demien’s body feint sold the direction before he accelerated into the gap using his eighty-three rated pace.
「LEGENDARY SKILL ACTIVATED»
Johan Cruyff — Turn Innovator
The turn wrong-footed the first defender completely so he stumbled trying to recover, and Demien’s progressive carry pulled another defender out of Wolves’ back line.
«STATS ACTIVE»
Dribbling: 84 | Ball Control: 85
The commentators recognized what was happening. "Walter driving forward now—Wolves don’t know whether to press him or sit off!"
He reached the edge of the final third where Rashford made a run wide left while Bruno arrived centrally, and Demien shaped his body like he would shoot.
Wolves’ remaining defenders reacted by closing the shooting angle.
Then he slid the pass through the defender’s legs into Rashford’s path behind the defensive line.
Rashford squared it across the box where Garnacho arrived to finish low into the corner.
Manchester United 3-0 Wolverhampton Wanderers
Old Trafford erupted again though this time the celebration was more relief than explosion because the match was finally secure.
The commentators identified Demien’s involvement properly. "The assist goes to Rashford but that goal starts with Walter. The progressive carry, the fake shot, the pass through the defender—he created that opening entirely."
His contribution wouldn’t show as an official assist yet everyone watching understood he’d created the chance.
This mattered because it showed his impact extended beyond simple statistics.
With United 3-0 up the final minutes became about control rather than attack.
Demien didn’t chase unnecessary highlights because maturity mattered more than highlight reels, so he helped slow the tempo by keeping possession, drawing one foul when a Wolves player fouled him in frustration, winning one loose ball in midfield with proper positioning.
The commentators noted his composure. "Look at this—Walter’s not trying to force a goal now. He’s managing the game, controlling tempo, showing real maturity after those earlier moments of brilliance."
Wolves still tried attacking though they looked like a team trying to survive the final whistle rather than one capable of mounting a comeback.
Ninetieth minute arrived before the fourth official showed three additional minutes.
United played out the stoppage time without drama because Demien plus Casemiro controlled midfield completely, and when the referee’s whistle blew for full-time Old Trafford applauded the team.
FULL TIME:
Manchester United 3-0 Wolverhampton Wanderers
United won their Premier League opener convincingly after Demien’s introduction changed the match fundamentally.
The crowd gave him a strong reaction when he walked toward the Stretford End, so he raised one hand in acknowledgment while staying controlled because over-celebrating would be wrong.
The system appeared.
「MATCH COMPLETE」
«Premier League Debut: Success»
«Minutes Played: 25»
«Pass Accuracy: 91% (21/23)»
«Chances Created: 2»
«Progressive Carries: 3»
«Dribbles Completed: 2»
«Goal Contribution: 1 assist»
«+50 MP»
«BONUS: Debut assist achieved»
«+5 SP»
«Balance: 545 TP | 336 SP | 768 MP»
He let the panel fade while walking toward the tunnel where teammates waited.
Dressing Room
The dressing room mood was relieved though energized because starters knew the first half wasn’t perfect yet the result looked comfortable now.
Players congratulated Varane with Garnacho with Demien for his impact, and Bruno joked while pulling his shirt off. "You waited until we were all tired before deciding to show off."
Casemiro said less though his approval was clear when he stopped beside Demien’s locker. "You played with calm. That matters more than tricks."
Ten Hag kept his team message balanced while addressing the group. "Good result. Poor control in parts. Better after changes. Much to improve."
Professional assessment without excessive praise for anyone.
When Demien was near his locker changing Ten Hag approached quietly so only he could hear the words.
"You changed the match."
Demien nodded without speaking.
Ten Hag held his gaze for two seconds. "But this is one game. Now do it again."
The line landed with weight because it carried expectation rather than celebration, and Demien understood immediately.