Chapter 874 – The Manchester Derby Returns in the Champions League
Manchester United claimed the eighth League Cup title in club history, drawing level with Liverpool as the most successful team in the tournament's history. However, due to pandemic restrictions, there were no large-scale celebrations after the trophy ceremony.
Of course, this was also because United were about to face a much more crucial battle — just three days later, they would travel to the Etihad Stadium to take on Manchester City in the UEFA Champions League semi-final. That was the real decisive contest. Compared to that, the League Cup trophy seemed far less important.
For now, what United needed most was to rest and recover as much as possible, storing up energy for the increasingly demanding schedule ahead.
...
On the evening of April 27, the first Champions League semi-final took place. Chelsea traveled to the Santiago Bernabéu and held mighty Real Madrid to a 1–1 draw.
For Real Madrid, that result was undoubtedly disappointing — Chelsea's away goal meant they now held the advantage heading into the return leg.
A day later, it was Manchester United's turn to face Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium — the Manchester Derby was about to be staged once again, this time in the Champions League semi-finals.
"How do you see this match going?" asked José Mourinho.
"We know City inside and out," replied United assistant coach Michael Carrick. "There are no secrets left between us."
That was precisely what made this matchup so fascinating. Normally, knockout-stage matches are clashes between unfamiliar sides.
In those "encounter battles," outcomes depend not only on relative strength, but also on form and luck — which is why upsets often happen in knockout football.
But in this case, the two Manchester clubs face each other at least twice a season in the league. Each knows the other's tactics, players, and weaknesses in depth. And now, they were meeting again — on Europe's grandest stage.
"So, what are you getting at?" Mourinho asked.
"If we can beat them in the league, we can beat them in a knockout tie too," Carrick replied confidently.
"Don't get cocky," Mourinho warned. "Knockout football has its own nature. Over two legs, it's basically sudden death — we must stay sharp."
...
At that very moment —
"DE BRUYNE!!!" The stadium announcer's voice erupted in near-hysterical excitement.
Mourinho looked up just in time to see Kevin De Bruyne sprinting away in celebration, followed by a sea of ecstatic Manchester City players.
Inside United's penalty area, goalkeeper David de Gea angrily fished the ball out of the net and booted it away in frustration.
A quick glance at the scoreboard confirmed it — 15 minutes in, City had scored.
Already behind?!
He had only just been pretending to sound modest — and they punished him immediately?
"GOOOOOOOOOOOALLLLLLLLLLL!!!"
"Kevin De Bruyne! He puts Manchester City in front — a dream start for the Blue Moon!"
"A beautiful counterattack! What a finish — an incredible long-range strike from midfield!"
"Bruno lost possession up front to Rodri, Bernardo Silva immediately launched a long ball behind the defense, De Gea rushed out of his box to head it clear ahead of Phil Foden, but De Bruyne didn't wait for the ball to drop — he volleyed it first-time from the center circle, lobbing De Gea and finding the net!" Gary Lineker exclaimed in awe.
"A lob from midfield — De Bruyne really has the audacity and skill to pull that off! But United's goalkeeper De Gea must shoulder part of the blame for that goal," another commentator analyzed.
"De Gea's charge was reckless. Look here — he collides with his own defender, Virgil van Dijk, and punches the ball away. But Van Dijk was already in position to challenge Foden and could've reached it first. De Gea didn't trust his teammate enough, and it cost him," Zhang Lu added.
...
As De Bruyne and his teammates celebrated wildly, Mourinho stood on the sideline with a stony expression.
The goal was completely unexpected — who could have predicted an attempt from midfield? But De Bruyne was known for his long-range strikes, and he dared to take the risk.
Still, as the commentators said, the goalkeeper bore some responsibility.
Yet Mourinho didn't lose his temper, nor did he rush to the touchline to scold De Gea.
It was only the fifteenth minute — plenty of time remained. He wasn't panicking.
Neither were his players. After all these years under pressure, United had seen it all.
They stayed calm.
City's morale soared after De Bruyne's goal; they began pressing high, sensing a real chance to beat United.
The commentators kept replaying and praising the Belgian's audacious strike, hailing City's impressive start and spirit — but just as they did, United struck back.
On the left flank, Luke Shaw and Van Dijk double-teamed Phil Foden, forcing him to retreat and pass the ball back to Rodri.
But the pass went wrong — Rodri hadn't moved to receive it, instead waiting stationary for the ball.
And that hesitation was all N'Golo Kanté needed. He darted forward and intercepted cleanly.
...
Without wasting a moment, Kanté immediately released the ball to İlkay Gündoğan.
Gündoğan switched it wide to the left. Kylian Mbappé took the pass, exploded forward, and with one burst of acceleration, left De Bruyne behind.
Oleksandr Zinchenko stepped up to challenge.
Mbappé didn't slow down — he nudged the ball to the right and twisted his body, cutting past on the opposite side. Sprinting full throttle, he reclaimed the ball and drove toward the box.
Zinchenko tried to recover but was already a step behind — and falling further back with every stride.
At the edge of the penalty area, Mbappé feinted a cut inside, tricking Rúben Dias into stepping out. Instantly, he slipped the ball to Harry Kane.
Kane turned halfway and unleashed a powerful strike.
The shot was aimed at the top corner — Ederson stretched but couldn't reach it. The ball smashed the underside of the crossbar and bounced in.
"GOOOOOOOOOOOALLLLLLLLLLLL!!!!"
"1–1! Manchester United hit back immediately!"
"Harry Kane scores! That's his fifth goal in this season's Champions League!"
On the sideline, Mourinho pumped his fist fiercely before being surrounded by his jubilant coaching staff. His tactical tweak had paid off immediately — De Bruyne was easily bypassed, Rúben Dias showed his inexperience by being drawn out of position, and before City could reorganize, Kane punished them.
"Once again, Mourinho's magic touch! We can clearly see how his quick adjustment gave United's attack more focus — and the equalizer came right after!"
(END CHAPTER)
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