Chapter 58: Ribéry Is Really That Good!
January 12th, evening. Old Trafford, Manchester.
League Cup semifinal, first leg. Bayswater Chinese faced Manchester United away.
Before the match, no one could've predicted what would happen next—an unknown Championship team daring to launch a full-on attack at Old Trafford right from kickoff.
Just like no one expected Ferguson to send out such a strong starting XI.
Lineup:
Goalkeeper: Howard
Defense: Heinze, Silvestre, O'Shea, Phil Neville
Midfield: Roy Keane, Fletcher
Attacking midfield: Rooney, Scholes, Cristiano Ronaldo
Forward: Saha
With injuries and suspensions aside, this was pretty much United's strongest available lineup.
Commentators were stunned.
"Is Ferguson really not saving anything for the weekend's match at Anfield?"
But what shocked them even more was that Bayswater Chinese seized the initiative first.
Yang Cheng also fielded a lineup carefully tailored for the occasion:
Goalkeeper: Joe Hart
Defense: Danny Collins, José Fonte, Koscielny, Kevin Foley
Midfield: Leon Andreasen as holding mid, Modrić and Lass Diarra central
Forwards: Ribéry, Lambert, Aaron Lennon
Yang Cheng made several changes to key positions.
He started Danny Collins over Capaldi for better defensive stability. Foley had been consistent, so he kept his place.
Andreasen got the nod over Huddlestone because of his ability to slot into central defense if needed.
Lambert started ahead of Kitson to provide a stronger hold-up presence.
Bayswater Chinese came prepared.
From the very start, Yang Cheng's team pressed high and aggressively.
Their smooth, intricate passing combinations allowed them to control possession and create early chances—putting United under real pressure.
But just three minutes later, United began to recover.
Even Yang Cheng had to admit, when facing Keane, Scholes, and Fletcher in midfield, his players couldn't compete physically.
Still, he'd anticipated this and shifted his team into a more defensive posture—waiting for their moment.
How fast can a world-class manager read the game and adapt?
Yang Cheng had witnessed many examples in his previous life, but Ferguson's response still impressed him.
Within just 5 minutes, Ferguson made his first tactical adjustment.
Cristiano Ronaldo was on the right and tried to beat Danny Collins—only to be tackled cleanly.
He wasn't "CR7" yet, just a flashy teenager.
Immediately after, Ferguson swapped his wingers.
Ronaldo and Rooney switched flanks, both now attacking from the left.
Three minutes later, Saha received a pass from Ronaldo just outside the box, squeezed between Koscielny and Fonte, and went down.
Old Trafford erupted—67,000 fans screamed for a penalty.
The referee waved play on.
Cheers turned to deafening boos.
From the sidelines, Yang Cheng immediately summoned Andreasen, instructing him to drop deeper, protect the backline, and fill the gaps.
He reminded Modrić and Diarra to be alert in tracking back.
The goal was simple: Don't lose. Even a 1-goal loss counts as a win.
Andreasen's ability to play center-back was the main reason he got the start over Huddlestone.
Yang Cheng had also planned his defensive shape meticulously.
Whenever United entered the final third and moved the ball wide, the full-back and center-back on that side would split wider.
Just like what happened earlier:
Rooney, Ronaldo, and Saha were attacking United's left—Bayswater's right.
Foley stepped up, and Koscielny shifted out to cover.
This opened up space between Koscielny and José Fonte.
Saha attacked that gap and nearly won a penalty.
In Yang Cheng's defensive blueprint, once Koscielny moved wide, Andreasen was supposed to drop into that central zone, forming a temporary back three.
That way, the center-backs could support the flanks more efficiently.
After all, United's attackers had far superior individual ability.
But this system also demanded a lot from the No. 4 (holding midfielder).
It came with risks.
"No worries! Keep going!" Yang Cheng clapped and shouted after sending Andreasen back onto the pitch.
The match had just begun.
Bayswater might not have the most talented players—but United's backline wasn't perfect either.
Without Ferdinand and Gary Neville, there were gaps.
If Bayswater could find one—they could strike back.
…
Heathrow Airport, North London. Chelsea training ground.
Chelsea were hosting Liverpool the next day.
José Mourinho and his staff were watching the Old Trafford broadcast.
"This kid's defensive setup is interesting. A little Dutch—reminds me of Van Gaal," Mourinho said.
He had worked under Van Gaal at Barcelona.
They'd had plenty of tactical debates—even arguments.
"But Bayswater Chinese isn't Ajax or Barça. They don't have the quality," said assistant Steve Clarke.
"Still, they're holding their own," Mourinho replied with a grin.
Many criticized him for being defensive, but Mourinho's philosophy was clear: win first, then play pretty.
"If you look closely, their center-backs are pulling wide, and the No. 4 is dropping deep—it's almost a back five. It helps mask their defensive limitations, but it's not enough to stop United."
Rui Faria chimed in with analysis.
Mourinho understood—but he noticed something others missed.
"Watch Ribéry and Aaron Lennon. Look at their positioning."
The broadcast was mostly focused on United's dominance in Bayswater's half.
But when the camera panned upfield, it was obvious—Ribéry and Lennon were sprinting nonstop.
Lambert, the central forward, was mostly dropping back to receive.
Chelsea had a long-standing rivalry with Bayswater and had followed them closely.
They knew exactly what Yang Cheng was up to.
Lennon's speed was unmatched.
Ribéry had ridiculous individual ability.
If United's backline slipped for even a moment, they'd be punished.
"I honestly thought he'd just park the bus tonight," Clarke chuckled.
He lacked Mourinho's eye for detail.
"Against a superior opponent, sitting back and waiting to die is the worst strategy. That's why he attacked from the start."
Just as they were talking, the match suddenly shifted.
Lass Diarra intercepted Scholes and passed to Modrić, who quickly found Lambert.
Lambert, with his back to goal, played a delicate chipped pass behind Heinze.
Lennon exploded forward.
On camera, he started behind Heinze. But by the time they reached United's half—he was ahead.
He got to the ball first, controlled it, and looked up.
On the left, Ribéry was charging in. He was slightly slower than Lennon but still rapid.
Sylvestre drifted across to cut off Lennon.
The Englishman sent a diagonal pass to the edge of the box.
It wasn't perfect.
Roy Keane got a touch—but couldn't stop it.
The ball changed direction slightly.
Ribéry, already in place, had to slow down.
O'Shea recovered.
But Ribéry didn't panic. He pressed forward, faking left and right.
At the edge of the 30-meter zone, O'Shea bit on a feint.
Ribéry cut inside and unleashed a rocket with his right foot.
The shot flew between O'Shea and Sylvestre, hit the turf, bounced—and skimmed just wide.
Old Trafford held its breath.
That came out of nowhere.
Ribéry didn't hesitate. No extra touches. Just instinct.
He turned away in frustration—but it had been a deadly counterattack.
If not for Keane's touch, Ribéry would've scored.
Even Mourinho and his staff tensed up watching it.
Was this really a Championship side?
"This Ribéry is really something else," Mourinho admitted.
Everyone nodded.
"If we signed him, put Robben on the right, and paired them with Drogba… our attack would be unstoppable," Rui Faria suggested.
Mourinho had never been a huge fan of Damien Duff.
He was clearly considering it.
…
That 16th-minute counter felt like the theme of the match.
United kept their grip on possession, pinned Bayswater back.
But the visitors' defensive shape held firm.
Especially as Leon Andreasen settled into his role.
United's first real chance came in the 24th minute.
Ronaldo switched back to the right, blew past Danny Collins, and entered the box.
Just as he was about to shoot, José Fonte slid in and cleared the ball from his former teammate's feet.
No penalty.
Five minutes later, Bayswater countered again.
Modrić sprayed a pass to the left. Ribéry controlled it, skipped past Phil Neville, and lobbed it into the box.
Lambert outmuscled O'Shea and nodded it across the six-yard box.
Lennon burst into the right side of the area, one-on-one—shot!
GOAL!!!
But the flag was up.
Offside.
"Replay shows Lennon was a bit too eager. He mistimed his run."
"He's kicking himself."
"Still, Bayswater Chinese are proving dangerous on the break."
"United are in trouble. Their opponent isn't some pushover—they're a real threat."
Yang Cheng paced the sideline, barking orders, steadying his players.
This wasn't a level field.
But there's a saying:
Barefooted men don't fear those in shoes.
The Championship isn't worth much in pounds.
But if Bayswater could just stay top six—they'd have a shot at the Premier League.
And Manchester United?
Lose the North-West Derby, and could Ferguson still guarantee top four?
Miss the Champions League?
The financial hit would be massive.
Could Ferguson afford to gamble?
That's why this schedule favored Bayswater.
First leg—before the Liverpool clash.
Second leg—three days before United's trip to Highbury to face Arsenal.
Yang Cheng glanced across the pitch at Ferguson on the home bench.
He's probably warming up the hairdryer already.
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