Chapter 523: Mourinho is Back on Top
With only nine men left on the pitch, Guardiola's hope of preventing more goals was just a pipe dream. Facing their fierce local rivals, Manchester United seized the opportunity to crush City without mercy.
In the remaining time, United, instead of easing off, intensified their attacks, aiming to bury City further.
In the 89th minute, Luke Shaw, who had joined the attack, was brought down by Kyle Walker, giving United a free kick.
United took the free kick quickly, exploiting the gaps in City's defense left by their two missing players. Lingard easily beat the offside trap, entered the box, and passed to Harry Kane, who slotted the ball through Otamendi's legs, confusing City's goalkeeper Ederson. The ball rolled into the net.
"GOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAALLLLLLL!!!!"
"Harry Kane! Harry Kane scores again! Following Bruno's brace, Harry Kane becomes the second United player to score twice in this game!"
"5-2! United lead City 5-2! This is madness, they're now three goals ahead."
"The Manchester derby just keeps getting better. After last season's 5-0 thrashing at Etihad, United are now humiliating their rivals at Old Trafford with a 5-2 scoreline!"
"The rivalry between these two teams is growing deeper and more intense!"
Despite their three-goal lead, United continued their relentless attacks.
In the second minute of injury time, United won another free kick near the box. Bruno's beautifully curved shot flew into the top right corner of the goal, beyond Ederson's reach.
"Bruno! Bruno! Bruno! He completes his hat-trick! United lead 6-2!"
"Oh my god! Bruno has scored hat-tricks in back-to-back Manchester derbies!"
"Bruno is truly City's nemesis! Despite only playing in four Manchester derbies, he is already United's third-highest scorer in these fixtures, behind Rooney with 11 goals and Bobby Charlton with 9."
"Under Bruno's leadership, United have reversed their recent poor record against City: they've now won four consecutive derbies! Including the Van Gaal era, they have five straight wins and seven unbeaten matches against City."
Bruno, who had just scored a stunning free kick, ran to the corner flag, passionately celebrating in front of the cameras.
This was City. Once again, he had scored a hat-trick against them!
Old Trafford was in a frenzy. The United fans never dreamed of a 6-2 victory over City.
For the fans, this season had already become legendary, something they would remember and boast about forever.
United had scored at least five goals in ten games this season:
5-0 vs West Ham (League Round 1)5-0 vs Swansea (League Round 2)8-0 vs Stoke City (League Round 4)6-0 vs Qarabag (Champions League Group Stage Round 1)6-0 vs Everton (League Round 5)5-0 vs Crystal Palace (League Round 7)5-2 vs Huddersfield (League Round 9)8-1 vs Newcastle (League Round 12)5-0 vs Watford (League Round 14)6-2 vs Manchester City (League Round 16)
In just 16 league games, United had scored 68 goals, setting a club record and a top-flight English football record.
By the end of 2017, in 26 matches across all competitions, United had scored 99 goals!
United's attacking power terrified the entire Premier League, Europe, and even the world.
Their defense was equally impressive. Under Mourinho, a master of defensive tactics, United had conceded just 6 goals in 16 league games and 15 goals in 26 matches across all competitions. They boasted the most solid defense in Europe.
Because of their outstanding performance, recent odds from European bookmakers placed United as favorites to win the Champions League, ahead of Real Madrid and Barcelona.
Following them were their local rivals Manchester City and French champions Paris Saint-Germain.
The final whistle blew, sparking even greater celebrations.
Amid the cheers, United's substitutes stormed the pitch, joining the players in wild celebrations. Old Trafford felt like a volcano erupting.
With this 6-2 victory, United not only humiliated City but also ensured they stayed top of the league, extending their lead to five points.
The cameras focused on the sidelines where Mourinho raised his arms in triumph. His players, thrilled, either ran past him or came over to hug him.
Mourinho then walked towards Guardiola. They shook hands briefly before Guardiola headed straight for the tunnel.
He couldn't bear to stay a moment longer at Old Trafford.
As Guardiola disappeared into the tunnel, the lights reflected off his bald head, making it seem like a beacon.
"How rude," Faria, the assistant coach, commented, noticing that Mourinho seemed to want to say something to Guardiola, who ignored him.
"Forget it," Mourinho said, waving it off. "He's in a bad mood—it's understandable. Ah! What are you doing? Put me down!"
United's players successfully ambushed their coach, lifting him high and tossing him into the air. Initially startled, Mourinho soon joined in their excitement.
On December 9, 2017, in the 16th round of the Premier League, Manchester United thrashed Manchester City 6-2. Mourinho achieved another emphatic victory over Guardiola.
Before joining United, Mourinho had faced Guardiola 16 times with a record of 3 wins, 6 draws, and 7 losses.
The most memorable of those encounters was Mourinho's first Clasico at the Bernabeu, a shocking 5-0 defeat, with Pique famously raising his hand in celebration.
But since taking over at United, Mourinho had evened the score in just a year and a half: 7 wins, 6 draws, and 7 losses.
With his recent consecutive victories, Mourinho now held an advantage in their head-to-head battles.
His status as the "world's best coach" was increasingly secure.
Guardiola waited several minutes for the post-match press conference. When Mourinho finally arrived, the press officer pointed out a stain on Mourinho's suit.
"Oh, it's nothing," Mourinho laughed, showing off the large wine stain. "The boys were just a bit wild, you know."
Guardiola's face darkened. He felt Mourinho was being deliberately provocative. He now thoroughly disliked him, seeing him as smug and arrogant.
The press officer announced the start of the press conference, and hands shot up across the room.
Mourinho, though initially nervous, relaxed upon glancing at Guardiola. As the victor, he had nothing to worry about.
"Mr. Guardiola, you look angry," a Guardian reporter noted. "Is it because of the heavy defeat?"
"There's only one reason I'm angry," Guardiola retorted. "Because the referee refused to give City's boys a fair game."
The room buzzed with excitement. Guardiola's direct attack on the referee energized the journalists.
"Coach Mourinho, what do you think of Guardiola's criticism of the referee's decisions?" a Sun reporter asked, eager to stir the pot.
"I've always believed there are two kinds of managers," Mourinho began. "A small group who never comment on referees, like me. I always respect the officials' work."
He pointed to himself before continuing, "Then there's a large group who always comment on referees."
Pausing briefly, he looked at Guardiola and smirked, "Now, thanks to Mr. Guardiola, we've discovered a third category. It's a category with just him in it, because only he criticizes referees for making the right calls. It's quite refreshing."
Guardiola was incensed.
"David Silva was injured because of your foul play!" he shouted.
"Herrera did nothing wrong. It was just bad luck for Silva, and I sympathize with his injury," Mourinho replied sincerely.
Guardiola was furious, realizing he was no match for Mourinho in verbal sparring.
Enraged, he stormed out of the press conference.
Just wait, he thought. Next time we meet, I'll knock out Mourinho's smug grin.
Mourinho shrugged but kindly defended Guardiola, "Don't blame Mr. Guardiola for his lack of composure. He's just upset about losing."
With that, Mourinho also left the room.
His sparring partner was gone—there was no reason to stay.
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