Chapter 372: A Belated Birthday Gift
"The fourth official has indicated four minutes of injury time, which has displeased both head coaches. Clearly, Manchester United's manager Mourinho thinks it's too much time, while Manchester City's manager thinks it's too little."
"It's understandable for both managers to react this way. For Mourinho, United is at a disadvantage, playing with ten men. They finally managed to take the lead, so he wishes there was no injury time at all. On the other hand, Guardiola hopes for more injury time, giving City enough time to equalize or even turn the game around. Ending the match with the current score would result in severe criticism for him and City."
"However, four minutes of injury time is fair. There were five substitutions in the second half and three goals scored. Each goal and substitution generally adds 30 seconds of injury time, so it's clear the referees calculated this time accurately."
Despite their reactions, neither Mourinho nor Guardiola could change the referees' decision, and the match entered injury time.
Guardiola encouraged his players on the sideline: "Their energy is spent. We need to keep the ball at our feet, move it around, and make them chase. Wait for their defense to show gaps..."
Meanwhile, Mourinho was motivating his team: "Is City strong? Yes, but we made them look vulnerable! We are leading them with ten men, so we're stronger! I know you're all exhausted, so no matter how much they pass around us, don't let it bother you. Just focus on defending for these four minutes, and we win!"
During injury time, United completely retreated into their 30-meter area, almost not counter-attacking. When they did, they just cleared the ball far forward for Lingard to control, with Bruno supporting him. If the timing wasn't right, Bruno wouldn't even bother supporting Lingard and would let him lose the ball.
Faced with United's defensive shell, City seemed helpless. Many fans of both Guardiola and Mourinho recalled the 2010 Champions League semi-final when Guardiola's Barcelona faced Mourinho's Inter Milan. Six years later, their rivalry had moved to the Premier League, but Guardiola was still Guardiola, and Mourinho was still Mourinho.
"United is so passive and defensive! This is a regression for football!" said a furious City commentator. "What does this kind of victory mean?! Fans didn't come to see this cowardice!"
Of course, he would say that, because anyone who went all-out against City in this situation would be the world's biggest fool. As a City supporter, he always hoped City's opponents were huge fools, so City could win title after title effortlessly and create a new blue dynasty.
This match could have been the start of that, but the dream shattered in the 88th minute.
As United retreated defensively, City's fans in the stands started booing. But their boos had little impact, drowned out by the singing of over 70,000 United fans at Old Trafford.
All United fans stood, waving their arms and singing: "Glory, glory, Man United, Glory, glory, Man United, Glory, glory, Man United, As the Reds go marching on! Like the Busby Babes in days gone by, We'll keep the Red flag flying high, You're gonna see us from far and wide, You're gonna hear the masses sing with pride: United! Man United!"
The Red Devils' roar echoed throughout the stadium.
A commentator, hearing the song, sighed: "No wonder Old Trafford is often called a fortress... With fans like this, United can indeed defeat any strong opponent at home..."
Faced with United's staunch defense, City had no good solutions. The four minutes of injury time passed quickly, and when the referee blew the final whistle, the score remained 3-2.
United, despite being at a disadvantage and playing with ten men for the last twenty minutes, surprisingly defeated City thanks to Bruno's 88th-minute goal.
Bruno had also given himself a belated 22nd birthday present, even if it was two days late.
Since 2010, this was United's third home victory against City in seven Premier League encounters. For United, this home record wasn't impressive, especially considering they had lost three of those seven matches, including a humiliating 1-6 defeat at home.
But today, United not only avoided a disastrous defeat despite being a man down but also secured a victory, greatly boosting their morale.
Faced with an increasingly strong and successful city rival, United fans, despite calling City "the noisy neighbors," were growing more anxious. They feared that with more investment from the Abu Dhabi group, City's dominance over United would become more apparent, and the head-to-head record would tilt further in City's favor.
This is why United fans were increasingly dissatisfied with the Glazer family, who were seen as leeching off the club, draining its heritage, and shaking its foundation.
Thankfully, the Glazers were gone, and Old Trafford had a new owner. The new owner had promised to invest heavily in the team, bringing new life to the club and giving fans hope for change.
Especially notable was the Qatari group's summer acquisition of Bruno Fernandes from Udinese for a record-breaking €200 million, the current FIFA Ballon d'Or winner. His performance thrilled all United fans.
Since joining the team in August, Bruno quickly adapted, scoring four goals and providing four assists in four matches, helping United achieve a four-game winning streak to start the Premier League season.
This was United's first four-game winning streak to start the league since the 2011-2012 season. Although they ended that season as runners-up due to goal difference, it was their highest points total in the last five seasons.
In the following 2012-2013 season, Sir Alex Ferguson's last as manager, United won the title but with only 89 points.
Since Ferguson's retirement, United had been in decline for three years. Neither Ferguson's chosen successor, David Moyes, nor later Louis van Gaal, could restore United to their former glory.
Now, with "the Special One" Mourinho at the helm and the new owner's massive investments, United was finally showing strong fighting spirit and signs of revival.
This match, the "most expensive" in football history, was undoubtedly the most watched game of the weekend worldwide.
After the match, almost every media outlet covered it extensively.
In this dramatic match, Bruno was undoubtedly the most notable player, excelling both offensively and defensively.
Offensively, Bruno's goal and assist made him the key to United's victory with ten men. Defensively, he was a pillar, leading United's defense against City's relentless attacks.
A hot topic for the media was what Bruno said to De Gea before he saved De Bruyne's penalty. Everyone was curious about the advice that made the usually poor penalty saver De Gea save De Bruyne's well-executed Panenka.
Despite the appearance that De Bruyne's penalty was gifted to De Gea, everyone knew it was De Gea's correct judgment to stay in the center that saved it.
However, both De Gea and Bruno remained tight-lipped when questioned by reporters.
With the main figures not responding, journalists couldn't uncover the secret.
Some tried to lip-read Bruno's words from the video but found that he cleverly covered his mouth, hiding his lip movements.
Many years later, a retired De Gea finally revealed Bruno's words to the world: "Don't move!"
Yes, Bruno only told De Gea two simple words: "Don't move!"
And De Gea obediently stayed in the center, saving De Bruyne's Panenka.
However, at the time, De Gea didn't notice Bruno's subtle hand gesture, which misled De Bruyne into changing his usual penalty style, allowing De Gea to save the crucial penalty.
While Bruno and United's players and coaches were widely praised, Guardiola and his City team faced severe criticism worldwide.
In competitive sports, losing is the ultimate sin!
(End of Chapter)
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