"Look at this."
The highly anticipated Roses Derby was about to kick off, and the players from both sides would soon walk onto the pitch.
Meanwhile, in the away team's locker room, Leeds United manager Pochettino held up a tablet and showed a photo to the entire team.
The picture was taken from a distance, but the people in the stands were clearly visible.
Gao Shen, together with Su Qing and Gao Ming, was seated in the executive box alongside Leeds United's directors.
Not far from them sat Manchester United owner Ratcliffe and his club's executives.
Although seated in different sections, they weren't far apart at all.
"He said he believes in us to defend his pride on the pitch. That's why he chose to sit there."
Pochettino pointed to the image on the screen.
The reason he dared to bring this up, to show this photo at such a moment and speak these words, was because he understood better than anyone the kind of status Gao Shen held in the hearts of the Leeds United players.
One meaningful sentence from Gao Shen was enough to make this entire dressing room fight tooth and nail for him.
Sure enough, everyone, including Haaland, was instantly fired up the moment they saw the photo.
The long-standing rivalry between Leeds United and Manchester United, and the tension between Gao Shen and Ratcliffe, had now converged in this Roses Derby.
"I hope that when you step onto the pitch, you'll look back and see him cheering for you."
With that, Pochettino saw the players off one by one.
True words don't need to be loud or dramatic.
Even the calmest tone can ignite the strongest passion.
Just like Leeds United at this moment.
...
After finding his seat, Gao Shen didn't sit down right away.
There were many familiar faces nearby. Ferguson was there, along with friends he had personally invited, such as Sacchi and Valdano, all seated close by. Gao Shen went over to greet each of them.
Only when the match was about to start did he return to his place, standing in front of the railing.
As the two teams walked out of the tunnel led by referee Anthony Taylor, the Leeds United players all turned back, as if they could pinpoint Gao Shen's exact location among the crowd and waved toward him.
Gao Shen was momentarily surprised, but then he smiled and waved back.
"Hey, keep it up!!" he shouted loudly.
Even though he knew they probably couldn't hear him, he still shouted.
This drew a sneer from Ratcliffe, not far away.
"Such a lack of composure. Making a scene for nothing. No class at all."
Despite his earlier friendly exchange with Gao Shen, the more he looked at him now, the more irritated and disgusted he became.
He just couldn't stand the sight of him.
"Have you spoken to them?" Ratcliffe asked the Manchester United CEO beside him.
"I've been to the dressing room. They know what this match means. They'll go all out to beat Leeds United here at home."
Ratcliffe nodded, satisfied.
"After the match, arrange some entertainment for our guests."
"Understood."
"The important thing is to make a statement. Stall him a bit. I'll have a proper word with him afterward," Ratcliffe instructed.
The other person nodded and went to handle the arrangements.
...
Because the match was scheduled for 4:30 PM, the sun was already setting. One side of the pitch was backlit.
Although the teams would switch sides after halftime, the sun would have set by then, so the other side wouldn't be affected.
So choosing the right side at kickoff provided a slight advantage.
Maguire, who once played as a center-back for Leeds United, had become Manchester United's captain after his record-breaking transfer.
Today, he was leading United against his former team.
And he won the coin toss.
Manchester United gained the advantage in the first half.
The 70,000-plus fans at Old Trafford erupted with deafening cheers.
What could be better than taking the initiative early?
The players returned to their respective halves and got into formation.
Manchester United were lined up in a 4-2-3-1 formation.
Goalkeeper: De Gea.
Defense: Luke Shaw, Maguire, Lindelöf, and Wan-Bissaka.
Midfield: McTominay and Matic in the double pivot, with Martial, Lingard, and Daniel James ahead.
Center forward: Rodrygo.
This was the lineup that had helped Manchester United go six matches unbeaten in the league.
In particular, Jesse Lingard had been performing exceptionally well, becoming a key figure in United's resurgence. Daniel James had also been lively on the right wing, even taking Greenwood's spot in the starting XI.
Leeds United, on the other hand, stuck with their favored 4-3-3 formation.
Goalkeeper: Alisson.
Defense: Alphonso Davies, Rúben Dias, Militão, and Achraf.
Midfield: Declan Rice as the holding midfielder, with Enzo Fernández and Valverde in central midfield.
Attack: Rashford, Haaland, and Sancho.
Leeds United fielded their strongest possible lineup, with no major injuries.
Declan Rice had been sidelined at the start of the season, during which Jon Amélie had impressed. But since returning, the England international had gradually reclaimed his spot.
In terms of age, experience, and form, Declan Rice still held the advantage over Jon Amélie.
Both sides had gone all out, fielding their strongest elevens.
That made this Roses Derby all the more valuable.
...
"Welcome to Matchday 14 of the 2020/21 Premier League season."
"We are at Old Trafford, where Manchester United host Leeds United."
"The highly anticipated Roses Derby is about to begin."
"Beep!"
"With Anthony Taylor's whistle, the match is underway."
"Leeds United kicked off. Haaland immediately passed the ball back to the defenders."
"Manchester United pushed up right away. It's clear they want to establish control at home."
Militão launched a long ball into the attacking third, targeting Rashford.
"Rashford outjumped Wan-Bissaka and nodded the ball down, but Matic picked up the second ball."
"Manchester United regained possession."
"But we can see Leeds United are pressing aggressively in the final third, with their entire formation pushing high."
"This is Leeds United's signature high press."
"Manchester United, in contrast, are sitting deeper and more compact. Solskjaer's team is more comfortable playing on the counter."
"Some say this is a battle of attack versus defense, but it's worth noting that United have been leaking goals in recent matches. That's something they'll have to be cautious about."
"The ball is now on United's right flank, but Leeds United are pressing hard."
"Enzo Fernández steps up to apply pressure."
"Matic passes back, then switches play to the left, giving it to Luke Shaw."
"Luke Shaw dribbles forward. Sancho is closing in quickly."
"Leeds United are very quick in transition and defensively alert."
"Luke Shaw is advancing, looking to connect with Martial up ahead."
"Ah, that pass wasn't good."
"Valverde intercepted it cleanly. Leeds United transition from defense to attack."
"He gives it to Sancho."
Sancho slots it through behind the defense.
"There's a chance!!!"
"Haaland breaks into the right side of the box and shoots!"
"But it deflects off Lindelöf and poses no threat."
"Leeds United's players appeal for a handball."
"The slow-motion replay shows the shot hit Lindelöf's hand, and his arm was slightly away from his body. But referee Anthony Taylor judged it unintentional and did not award a penalty."
"The game has started at a furious pace."
"Although they didn't score, that quick interception and counter from Leeds was dangerous."
"Especially Valverde's interception and swift pass to Sancho, then Sancho's instant ball into space. It all happened so quickly. Manchester United's midfield couldn't react in time, and Haaland was left facing both center-backs alone."
"As we've said before, Manchester United's biggest problem is their defense."
...
Although the opening shot didn't test the keeper or result in a penalty, Leeds United's players continued to press forward courageously.
The pressure was focused on midfield and the attacking third.
Just as Gao Shen had predicted before the match, Manchester United's double pivot lacked vision and passing ability, and their physical attributes limited their mobility.
Leeds United exploited that thoroughly, constantly working the ball back and forth to stretch the play.
United's vulnerability when building from deep through their two defensive midfielders was immediately evident.
For example, in the second minute, Matic received the ball and was immediately hounded by Enzo Fernández. With no passing outlet, he had to turn and pass back to Lindelöf.
Rashford then pressed Lindelöf quickly, forcing him into a rushed forward ball.
It landed directly at Declan Rice's feet.
Leeds United's defensive midfielder controlled it as if it had been a well-placed pass from a teammate.
A minute later, Rashford pressed Wan-Bissaka, while Haaland tracked Lindelöf and Enzo Fernández pushed up again, forcing Wan-Bissaka toward the touchline.
He nearly ran the ball out.
Fortunately, he reacted in time and cleared it into touch.
It became a Leeds United throw-in in the final third.
Leeds United's relentless pressing was making life miserable for Manchester United.
However, Manchester United adopted a compact low block around the penalty area, which helped them just about hold firm.
Leeds United had clearly prepared for this.
They were in no rush, gradually dragging United into a war of attrition.
As Pochettino told Gao Shen before the match, Manchester United's midfield and defense are strong in physical duels and one-on-one situations. Against a team like this, the key is to wear them down, stretch their shape, and force them into decisions, or push their defensive line higher.
Leeds United played with composure and discipline, executing a unified tactical strategy.
(To be continued.)
◇◇◇
◇ One bonus chapter will be released for every 200 Power Stones.
◇ You can read the ahead chapter on Pat if you're interested: p-atreon.c-om/Blownleaves (Just remove the hyphen to access normally.)