Chapter 555: The Decisive Battle
Manchester United's 4-1 victory over Roma meant they had almost one foot in the semifinals of this season's Champions League. However, the team did not dwell on this result for long as they immediately began preparing for their next challenge: the Manchester Derby against Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday noon.
In the eyes of the British and worldwide media, this Manchester Derby was the decisive battle for the Premier League title this season.
From the start of the season, the Premier League had been a two-horse race between Manchester United and Manchester City. Before this round, United had won 29 out of 31 league matches, drawing the other two, to sit atop the table with 89 points. City, having played the same number of matches, had a strong record of 26 wins, 3 draws, and 2 losses, accumulating 81 points.
The two teams were far ahead of the rest of the league, with City 16 points clear of third-placed Liverpool. Therefore, City was the only team theoretically capable of challenging United for the title.
City needed a win in this match to keep their title hopes alive. A loss or draw would virtually eliminate their chances of catching up, given United's consistent performance this season. Should City win, they would close the gap to five points with six matches remaining, keeping their slim title hopes alive.
United, on the other hand, aimed to win to extend their lead to 11 points. With six matches left, they would only need seven more points to secure the title. Apart from their points advantage, United also had a significant goal difference advantage.
Before this round, United's goal difference was an impressive +89, compared to City's +62. This gave United a 27-goal advantage.
Given this situation, Mourinho planned a defensive counter-attacking strategy for the match at the Etihad. He emphasized the importance of solid defense before looking for counter-attacking opportunities, ensuring no gaps for City to exploit.
Although Mourinho set a counter-attacking strategy, he didn't have the team sit back from the start. Instead, they played a normal game, attacking when opportunities arose, with Valencia often pushing forward.
Bruno attempted an early attack from the kickoff, but his through ball was intercepted by Fernandinho, with Mkhitaryan closely marking him, and David Silva cutting off other passing options.
Fernandinho quickly passed to Bernardo Silva, who carried the ball forward but was soon dispossessed by Bruno, who anticipated Silva's turn and tackled the ball away. However, Fernandinho cleared the ball just before Bruno could take it, sending it downfield to Sterling.
Sterling and Maguire contested the aerial ball, with Maguire heading it away to an open area, where David Silva picked it up. Silva's forward run was halted by Kante, who executed a precise tackle, dispossessing Silva cleanly.
The pace of the game was immediately high, with both teams exchanging attacks. Commentators noted how both teams were playing positively, despite pre-match rumors of a defensive approach from Mourinho.
Traditionally, Mourinho has been labeled as a defensive coach, associated with terms like "pragmatic," "1-0 football," and "negative football." However, his teams often scored the most goals in their respective leagues. At Real Madrid, his team scored a record-breaking 121 goals in one season, a record still unbroken in La Liga.
This season, United had scored five or more goals in a match ten times, with 105 goals in 31 league matches, making them the highest-scoring team in the Premier League and Europe.
Mourinho's approach was practical, adapting tactics based on the opponent to maximize results. Attacking City head-on at the Etihad would be foolish and would likely result in defeat.
City's aggressive start put United under pressure, but they managed to hold on. The main problem for United was during their own attacks.
Bruno was the undisputed core of United's play, and the team was used to funneling the ball through him. However, he faced intense pressure from City's midfield trio of Fernandinho, Mkhitaryan, and David Silva. Their positioning made it difficult for Bruno to find space or passing options.
Whenever Bruno advanced, he faced a well-organized defense that stifled his efforts. Direct passes were intercepted, and trying to dribble through was equally challenging.
City's defensive transitions were swift, with Fernandinho, Mkhitaryan, and Silva retreating quickly to form a compact defensive line, preventing United from launching effective counter-attacks. United's forwards found themselves isolated and surrounded by City's defenders, unable to make an impact.
The high tempo and relentless pressure from City created a few close calls for United. Early on, a cross from Sane narrowly missed Sterling in the box, drawing sighs from the City supporters.
United's approach was cautious, with their goalkeeper De Gea often distributing short to build up play from the back. City's pressing forced United to play long balls, which were often intercepted, disrupting their rhythm.
Despite the pressure, United remained disciplined, with Kante's timely interventions and solid defensive work keeping City at bay. The match remained tense and evenly contested, with both sides looking for a breakthrough.
The outcome of this crucial match would significantly impact the title race, with both teams fully aware of its importance. The intensity and tactical battle on display highlighted the stakes, as United aimed to maintain their lead and City fought to stay in the race.
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