Pre-match press conference.
"Mr. Pochettino, according to external reports, Tottenham's management is considering sacking you. Will you be leaving?"
A reporter from The Sun raised his microphone.
They were not making it up.
Or, to put it more accurately, they did not even need insider information.
Tottenham's current results spoke for themselves.
"Perhaps that will be the next headline you report," Pochettino said with a bitter smile. "All I can say is that in the world of football, everyone leaves eventually."
It was unclear what had happened to Tottenham recently, but their performance across all competitions could hardly have been worse.
In the Premier League, they had only managed 14 points after 12 rounds.
They had not won in their last five matches since last month.
Aside from losing to Liverpool, they could not even secure victories against several weaker opponents.
The current situation had already directly affected their chances of qualifying for next season's Champions League.
Or, to be more precise, they had almost lost control of that race already.
Then there was the massive defeat in the Champions League.
A humiliating 2–7 loss to Bayern at home, even though they still managed to advance from the group stage.
But their pride had been shattered.
Thirdly, they had lost to Colchester United, who were 10th in League Two, in the English League Cup.
There was simply no way to justify that.
Even Ten Hag would have been sacked if he were in charge.
"Based on the information we have, Benítez, Ten Hag, and Allegri are the most likely candidates to take over as Tottenham manager—"
The reporter tried to press further, but Pochettino cut him off.
"As of now, I am still Tottenham's manager, so let's put an end to these baseless discussions."
...
Meanwhile, in the adjacent conference room.
"Mr. Mourinho, today is Ling's first match against a Premier League powerhouse since winning the Ballon d'Or. Are you confident about defeating Tottenham?"
A reporter asked.
"First, I must correct your mistake. Tottenham have never been a powerhouse."
Mourinho wagged his finger at the camera.
"Secondly, defeating Tottenham does not require confidence. It is something that should be taken for granted."
Because he had been mocked by Pochettino before, combined with Tottenham's unique playing style, Mourinho's words were particularly sharp today.
His thinking was simple.
If Bayern could serve Tottenham a "7-Up," then Manchester United serving them five goals should not be a problem, right?
"It is reported that Tottenham plan to list Harry Kane for sale in next summer's transfer window. Does Manchester United have any interest in this player?"
Another reporter asked.
"We currently have the best striker in the world, so we won't be considering signing a striker for now."
Mourinho's lips twitched slightly.
Earlier, when he was chatting casually with Ling, they had discussed Harry Kane as a player.
"His fate is inherently trophy-less. Even if I coached the same team as him, it would be difficult to counteract that special destiny."
Mourinho had not believed it at first, but after carefully reviewing Kane's career record...
Damn!
It was indeed a bit terrifying.
📰 Sky Sports: Pochettino Under Pressure as Tottenham Prepare for Manchester United Test
📰 BBC Sport: Mourinho Dismisses Spurs "Powerhouse" Label Before Wembley Clash
📰 The Athletic: Tottenham's Crisis Meets Ling's Ballon d'Or High
📰 Manchester Evening News: United Travel to Wembley as Mourinho Targets Another Big-Six Statement
📱 @UnitedStand ✔
Mourinho saying Tottenham aren't a powerhouse before facing them away is the kind of unnecessary violence I respect lmaooo.
| ↳ 📱 @StretfordEndTom
| Reply: Pochettino fighting for his job and Mourinho brought a flamethrower to the press room.
📱 @SpursTalk
Can we please have one normal week?
...
After all the preparations were completed, inside the tunnel of Wembley Stadium, Ling and Kane exchanged a few words of greeting.
Actually, the relationship between the two was quite good.
At least within the Premier League, it was better than his relationship with many other players.
"See you later. Well, good luck."
Ling had originally intended to invite Kane to his wedding, but considering a certain awkward issue, he changed his mind.
If Manchester United served Tottenham a "Seven-Up" or even just a five-goal beating, would Kane come or not?
It was not that Ling was overly confident.
Tottenham really were weak right now.
Locker-room conflicts.
A negligent head coach.
Players slacking off.
How could they compete with Manchester United?
However, it could not be ruled out that Tottenham players might suddenly unleash their potential.
Son Heung-min stood in the back row of the lineup, watching the two chat and laugh.
He suddenly felt a twinge of envy.
He had witnessed Ling's rise firsthand.
At first, they had seemed evenly matched.
Later, Son could no longer even see his taillights.
Son Heung-min sighed silently, then quickly regained his composure.
...
Soon, led by the referee, the players from both teams walked out of the tunnel.
Whoosh!
Deafening cheers echoed in their ears.
The stands seemed painted white, glaringly bright and dazzling.
"Tottenham fans are quite loyal." Ling muttered to himself.
If it were their neighbors Arsenal, there would probably have been banners already.
Wenger—
No.
Pochettino OUT.
"GOOD EVENING FROM WEMBLEY!"
Peter Drury's voice rang over the broadcast, already carrying the weight of the occasion.
"Tottenham Hotspur, bruised and battered, desperate to prove there is still pride beneath the pain!"
"Manchester United, crowned by Parisian gold, led by the newly anointed Ballon d'Or winner, arrive with the arrogance of champions and the appetite of wolves!"
"This is Premier League football under the lights. This is pressure. This is theatre. This is danger."
Jim Beglin added, "Tottenham need a performance tonight, Peter. Not just a result — a performance. Their season has been drifting badly, and against this United side, any weakness gets punished."
"And there he is," Drury continued, as the camera focused on Ling. "Jeremy Ling. The golden boy of Paris, the storm of Old Trafford, now walking into Wembley with the Ballon d'Or still fresh in the world's memory."
The starting lineups appeared on screen.
"In white, Tottenham Hotspur. Pochettino has deployed a 4-2-3-1. Gazzaniga starts in goal. The back line features Aurier, Alderweireld, Davinson Sánchez, and Vertonghen. Winks and Sissoko sit in midfield, with Son, Dele Alli, and Lucas Moura behind Harry Kane."
"For Manchester United, Mourinho keeps his familiar 4-3-1-2 structure. De Gea starts in goal. Wan-Bissaka, Thiago Silva, Maguire, and Alex Sandro form the back four. McTominay, Matić, and Kanté protect midfield. Bruno Fernandes supports Ling and Mahrez."
"Since winning the Ballon d'Or, Ling has scored three brilliant goals against Aston Villa, putting him far ahead in the Premier League scoring race."
"He is not merely in form. He looks hungry!"
Online comments flooded down like snowflakes.
📱 @HupuFootballCN
Asian showdown!
📱 @UnitedStand ✔
Bloodbath at White Hart Lane — wait, Wembley. Whatever. Same suffering.
| ↳ 📱 @StretfordEndTom
| Reply: Bayern served Seven-Up. United should at least bring five.
📱 @SpursTalk
Can we not joke about another 7–2 please? Some of us are still emotionally injured.
📱 @NeutralPremWatch
Can Ling break Lewandowski's nine-in-five record?
| ↳ 📱 @DataBallWatch
| Reply: Calm down. Even at their lowest, Tottenham are stronger than Wolfsburg... probably.
📱 @CNFootballRealist
Ling vs Son always feels like an Asian football checkpoint, but the gap right now is brutal.