On October 22, at noon.
Cristiano Ronaldo stood in the center circle of Old Trafford, waiting for the referee's whistle to start the match.
This was the ninth round of the Premier League — a fixture the entire football world had circled long in advance.
Manchester United at home versus Liverpool.
The North-West Derby had always been one of the Premier League's greatest stages, a clash loaded with history, resentment, and generations of rivalry. No matter the league table, the occasion alone could ignite any season. But this time, both sides were competing at the top end, and the match carried even heavier weight.
Liverpool came into the round sitting sixth. The gap between them and Manchester United wasn't large, but the consensus across English media was clear: if Liverpool wanted to be taken seriously as title contenders, this Derby was the exam they had to pass.
Manchester United approached it with equal seriousness. It wasn't just about protecting a century-long rivalry; it was about shaping the title race early. A victory here would not only strengthen their own position but also deliver a decisive blow to one of the most threatening challengers in the league.
Both teams were locked in, fully aware of what this afternoon meant.
Cristiano Ronaldo treated it with the same intensity — maybe more. Because today…
He and Yang Yang would meet head-on.
Ronaldo started on the right wing, Yang Yang on the left. When United kicked off, the two were positioned almost opposite each other across the halfway line.
They had exchanged polite handshakes in the tunnel earlier, even shared a brief, respectful greeting. Nothing out of place.
But now, under the noise of 70,000 fans, when Cristiano Ronaldo looked across at Yang Yang again, all courtesy was gone. His eyes flashed with open challenge.
Yang Yang met his gaze without flinching, calm but fierce, as if inviting the duel.
A spark crackled between them — an unspoken declaration that each intended to outplay the other, to dominate this Derby through sheer talent and will.
Even before the ball rolled, Old Trafford already smelled of gunpowder, the tension rippling through every shout, every chant.
A hundred years of rivalry stood behind this moment. Two star wingers stood at its center.
And the battle was about to begin.
…
…
"The game is about to start!"
"The referee this afternoon is England's international official, Graham Poll."
"During the pre-match coin toss, Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard won and chose the half that gives Liverpool the more favorable conditions for the opening period. That means Manchester United will kick off."
"In this match, both sides field almost full-strength squads. Gary Neville and Rio Ferdinand have both returned from injury for Manchester United, while Liverpool are essentially using their strongest starting XI. It's clear that both managers regard this Derby as crucial."
"Alright — Poll blows the whistle, and we are underway at Old Trafford!"
"Manchester United take the kickoff, and Liverpool immediately push up, pressing aggressively."
"United try to circulate the ball from the back, but Liverpool's pressure forces them into a rushed pass—"
"—and it gets intercepted. Liverpool win possession in United's half, showing a very proactive start." The ball breaks free to the left side."
"John Arne Riise picks it up, strides forward, and winds up for a long-range strike…"
"Oh — he rushed it!"
"Riise's effort is well off target. The distance was too great and the shot came far too early."
"Liverpool need to settle themselves. This is Old Trafford — they mustn't get carried away."
…
"Liverpool are still attacking."
"Steve Finnan delivers a cross from the right."
"It drops on the far side — Yang Yang brings it down beautifully with a soft first touch… and sends a driven cross into the box!"
"Peter Crouch can't bring it under control, and Ferdinand and Vidić react instantly, closing him down together. Perfectly timed defending."
"Manchester United's defensive structure looks steady in these opening minutes."
…
"Liverpool retain possession again and start building another attack."
"But Darren Fletcher steps in, wins the ball cleanly, and United counter immediately, sliding it forward to Rooney."
"Rooney receives inside the penalty area, turns sharply, and fires toward goal — but the shot crashes off Daniel Agger and deflects behind for a corner."
"Agger's positioning was excellent — another well-timed block."
"Based on his performances so far this season, the Danish centre-back is looking more and more like the natural successor to Hyypiä as Liverpool's first-choice defender."
"Manchester United have won a corner kick."
…
…
Giggs stood over the corner on the right side, placing the ball carefully before taking several steps back.
On the touchline, Benítez watched with clear anxiety, shouting instructions and urging his players to stay alert.
Yang Yang remained high up the pitch as the lone counterattacking outlet, ready to sprint the moment Liverpool regained possession. In the tactical brief Liverpool received before the match, set-piece defending had been highlighted repeatedly. Over the past two seasons of the Double Reds Derby, set pieces had often decided the outcome. Manchester United's biggest threats in these situations were unmistakably Ferdinand and Vidić — towering centre-backs, both ruthless in the air.
From his position upfield, Yang Yang couldn't influence the immediate defensive work. All he could do was stay focused, poised for a transition if the clearance came his way.
Giggs whipped the corner in sharply.
Chaos erupted in the penalty area.
United players battled to break free from their markers, while Liverpool defenders grappled tightly, especially around Ferdinand and Vidić, trying to prevent either from launching one of their trademark headers.
But in the middle of that crowded melee, a flash of red rose above the rest — Cristiano Ronaldo, surging through the pack with perfect timing.
Giggs' delivery bent straight toward him. Ronaldo met it from close range, snapping a powerful header.
The ball changed direction instantly, flying toward the far-left side of the goal.
At such close distance, and with the header coming so unexpectedly, Reina had no chance.
"Cristianooooooooooooooooooo!!!"
"Goal!"
"Goooooooooooooal!"
"In just the fifth minute, Manchester United break through and take the lead against Liverpool!"
"A brilliant header from Cristiano Ronaldo!"
"What a finish!"
"The Portuguese winger read the trajectory perfectly, found space among taller defenders, and powered the header home!"
"This was Manchester United's first genuinely dangerous attack of the match — and with only two touches in the sequence, they've already punished Liverpool."
"A set piece again! Always a decisive factor!"
"In recent North-West Derbies, set pieces have become the storyline — whoever capitalizes on those moments usually wins!"
"Let's look again: Giggs swings in a ball that disrupts Liverpool's defensive organization. Their focus stays locked on Ferdinand and Vidić, the obvious aerial threats… but they completely lose track of Cristiano Ronaldo."
"A costly and uncharacteristic mistake. Ronaldo's leap and heading ability are well known — Liverpool should never have allowed him that space."
…
After scoring, Cristiano Ronaldo spun away and burst into a full sprint, racing along the touchline as Old Trafford erupted. The roar followed him all the way to the corner flag, where he dropped to his knees and slid across the turf, arms outstretched, soaking in the thunderous applause. Teammates swarmed around him, shouting, embracing him, slapping his back — the stadium pulsed with energy.
In his last two matches, Ronaldo's form had risen sharply. He was still taking plenty of shots — sometimes too many — but the tone around him had changed. Media, pundits, and fans who used to criticize his shot selection had started to shift their perspective.
They were beginning to accept another interpretation entirely:
He shoots often because he creates those chances — because he's active, dangerous, constantly putting himself in positions to attack.
And, more importantly, he was slowly becoming Manchester United's decisive player.
Just like today. This header had broken the deadlock when the match was still finding its rhythm.
And the truth in football is simple:
If you score, nobody cares how many times you shoot.
…
Yang Yang wiped his face in frustration.
Only five minutes had passed — he hadn't even broken a sweat — and Liverpool were already a goal down.
And the scorer had to be Cristiano Ronaldo, which irritated him even more.
The goal wasn't his fault; his assignment during defensive set pieces was to stay forward for the counterattack. No one would blame him for what happened. But that didn't make the sinking feeling any easier.
He could sense the issue clearly: Liverpool had the quality, but the team still wasn't functioning as a fully integrated unit.
Too many pieces were new and still adapting — himself, Kuyt, Aurelio. Daniel Agger was starting as a main defender for the first time. Add to that a demanding schedule that had been particularly unkind.
Playing Premier League matches away from home was always tough, yet Liverpool's early-season fixtures had stacked almost all their major clashes away — and many of them scheduled at noon, when rhythm and intensity were harder to establish.
It was a real challenge, a genuine test for the squad.
But he also knew Liverpool couldn't hide behind excuses. Not here.
The defending on that set piece simply hadn't been good enough.
…
Benítez paced anxiously along the technical area, clearly furious with the goal Liverpool had conceded.
But his reaction didn't stop at frustration. Almost immediately, the Spaniard began issuing rapid instructions, reorganising Liverpool's defensive structure on the fly. His gestures were sharp, urgent — he knew exactly what kind of danger they were in.
He understood Ferguson all too well. Manchester United under the Scotsman were ruthless once they tasted blood. Give them momentum, give them confidence, and they would keep pushing, wave after wave, until you collapsed under the pressure.
And this was Old Trafford — a place where United played like a pack of wolves, feeding off the crowd's energy, becoming sharper, faster, more relentless once they were ahead.
In this stadium, against this Manchester United, there was only one realistic response after conceding early:
Stabilize.
Regroup.
Defend with everything you have.
Benítez knew Liverpool had to weather the storm first. Only then could they think about striking back.
…
…
After the celebrations finally died down, Cristiano Ronaldo jogged back onto the pitch, greeted by a wave of adoring cheers from all corners of Old Trafford.
When play resumed, Manchester United did exactly what Benítez feared — they went hunting for the second goal, pressing Liverpool back and attacking with confidence.
Cristiano Ronaldo in particular looked electric.
Fresh off his opener, he immediately picked up the ball in the left channel, drove straight at three Liverpool defenders, and refused to release the ball. Relying entirely on raw pace, sharp footwork, and aggression, he carved out just enough space to unleash a low strike from roughly twenty-six meters. The shot skidded wide, but the intent was unmistakable.
Moments later, Louis Saha drifted toward the right flank, slipping into the space behind Riise. He whipped a cross into the box, where Ronaldo rose for another header. This time, Reina reacted sharply, diving to his left to parry it away.
Barely two minutes passed before Ronaldo forced his way through again — another direct run, another shot from the edge of the box, this one deflected behind for a corner. Giggs delivered from the right, but Liverpool were ready; Daniel Agger rose decisively and headed the ball clear.
But United kept possession. After reorganizing their shape, Giggs swung in another cross from the right. Cristiano Ronaldo attacked it with a volley twelve meters out, but the strike skidded off target once more.
Manchester United were relentless — a frenzied, confident team playing at home with the wind at their backs.
Liverpool had little choice but to retreat deeper, defending compactly and absorbing pressure.
Benítez's two years of defensive drilling were proving crucial now. Aside from Riise's shaky moments on the left, Liverpool were doing well to deny United clear chances. Their lines were tight, spacing disciplined, and when possible, the forwards applied early pressure to disrupt United's build-up.
Yang Yang, as always, ran tirelessly — pressing, recovering, offering outlets, shaping transitions. He wasn't rattled by the early goal. The coaching staff had already prepared for this scenario before the match. They had plans for conceding first… even for going two goals down. Everything had been accounted for.
And when you have a plan, you stay steady.
Yang Yang reminded himself of that. His role now was simple: stay patient, stay sharp, and wait.
If Liverpool could survive the storm, Manchester United would eventually slip.
And when they did, Yang Yang would be ready.
…
…
Since this match marked the fiftieth anniversary of Bobby Charlton's Manchester United debut, the club held a special pre-game ceremony in his honor. A commemorative trophy was presented to Charlton, and in return, he awarded a separate commemorative plaque to Paul Scholes for reaching 500 appearances for the club.
Because of this, today's North-West Derby wasn't only another clash between two traditional giants — it became a rare gathering of legends. Manchester United icons filled the VIP stand, and even Liverpool, playing away from home, had several of their greats in attendance, including Roger Hunt.
The directors' box had effectively turned into a hall of fame for both clubs. But once the match kicked off, the conversation among these legends shifted quickly from nostalgia to the game itself — especially the duel between the two brightest stars on the pitch: Cristiano Ronaldo and Yang Yang.
After taking the lead, Manchester United kept their foot down. They pressed higher, attacked more aggressively, and played with the unmistakable swagger that had defined the club for decades.
"This is typical United," someone in the VIP area remarked.
"Even after going three years without a league title, Ferguson's team still plays with this kind of dominance. You won't find this mentality anywhere else in the Premier League — maybe not even in all of Europe."
"That's true. If any other club had such poor results over three seasons, the decline would've been obvious. But Ferguson… he has that ability. He keeps United powerful."
"The confidence built from years of success doesn't fade quickly. And as long as Ferguson is here, the soul of Manchester United is intact. Honestly, I believe he could take a squad full of second-tier players and still fight for the title."
"Other coaches wish they had that aura. Only Ferguson does."
The United legends basked in pride while the Liverpool legends could only admire — and envy — what Ferguson had built. Even Arsène Wenger, despite all his achievements, couldn't replicate this unique identity.
Football would likely never see another Ferguson.
"He's clearly building around Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo now," one former United star said. "Ronaldo especially — he's been outstanding this season. Scoring inside five minutes today, long-range strikes, headers, free kicks… he can do everything."
"Rooney's been overshadowed lately," another admitted reluctantly.
Most of the legends present were British and naturally leaned toward supporting Rooney, but even they couldn't deny the obvious: Cristiano Ronaldo was stealing the spotlight.
Bobby Charlton, however, offered a more measured view. "He's young and still needs shaping," he said with a smile. "Look at him today — I won't deny he's in phenomenal form. But because he's so good, the team is starting to orbit around him, consciously or subconsciously."
His words made the entire group pause. They replayed the match dynamics in their minds and suddenly saw the pattern clearly.
"Like Beckenbauer once said," he remarked, "the strongest point on the pitch often becomes the weakest."
Cristiano Ronaldo's dominance was dazzling, but Manchester United's attacking patterns had become predictable. Every forward movement ran through him. Every transition looked for him first. Every decision seemed tailored to give him the ball.
Benítez had noticed this as well. Liverpool adjusted accordingly.
Ronaldo's mindset didn't help. He kept narrowing his focus to dribbling, breaking lines, creating threats on his own. He rarely looked for teammates. As a result, Liverpool found it increasingly easy to defend against him — and United's midfielders and forwards had a harder time finding rhythm.
Whether United's other players were off their game or simply intimidated by Ronaldo's presence didn't matter. What mattered was what everyone could see:
Manchester United's attack had turned into a one-man performance.
And Ronaldo's one-man performance usually ended in a blocked shot, a rushed attempt, or a dribble stopped cold.
"Football is always an eleven-man sport," Bobby Charlton said. "No single player can carry a team on his own. Cristiano Ronaldo isn't at that level — not yet. He needs more teamwork."
Heads nodded all around.
Everyone in that section had played football for decades. They understood the subtleties beneath the surface — not just what was happening, but why it was happening.
"Ferguson seems reluctant to control him," someone observed.
Charlton nodded thoughtfully. "There are two explanations: either Ferguson has lost his clarity… or he believes Ronaldo is worth the risk."
A quiet ripple of surprise went through the group.
Everyone knew Ferguson wasn't the type to lose clarity. He was sharp as ever.
Which meant only one possibility — he saw something extraordinary in Ronaldo. Something worth nurturing even at the cost of short-term instability.
Ferguson had always been a master of developing young talent. If he was allowing Ronaldo this level of freedom, he clearly believed the Portuguese had an exceptionally high ceiling.
He had once lost the title to Arsenal because he took a similar risk. Was he willing to take that risk again today?
Especially against Liverpool — never an easy opponent.
And Liverpool had their own rising force: Yang Yang, a player who, in the eyes of many, was not only equal to Cristiano Ronaldo…
…he might even be better.
…
…
Yang Yang continued to read the pitch patiently, waiting for the right moment.
With Liverpool trailing and Manchester United controlling possession, almost the entire attacking burden during transitions fell on him. Every time Liverpool won the ball, he was the outlet, the spark they depended on.
He broadened his movement across the frontline, drifting deeper when needed, linking play, and folding himself naturally into Liverpool's collective structure. But when the team required him to act alone — whether driving past defenders, carrying the ball into space, organizing the counter, or releasing a decisive pass — he handled each task cleanly, showing exactly why Liverpool brought him in.
Compared to Cristiano Ronaldo's flamboyant, high-risk dribbling, Yang Yang's style remained what it had always been since his Ajax debut: simple, fast, efficient, and intelligent. No wasted touches. No unnecessary flourishes. Just pure, streamlined effectiveness.
After more than ten minutes of absorbing pressure following the early goal, Liverpool finally found their rhythm again. Their shape settled. The midfield trio began winning second balls and disrupting United's passing lanes. In the back line, Daniel Agger and Carragher gradually adapted to United's wide switches and crosses.
Cristiano Ronaldo continued to receive the ball often, but his actions were increasingly isolated — more individual show than real threat.
With Liverpool stabilized, the forwards began to see opportunities.
Yang Yang struck first. From the left flank, he curled in a dangerous cross that Kuyt met with a strong header at the far post, but Van der Sar reacted quickly and gathered it cleanly.
Moments later, Yang Yang slipped a precise through ball from the left channel, cutting open United's back line. Gerrard burst into the box and connected with a volley, but couldn't keep it down.
In the 28th minute, Yang Yang caught Gary Neville one-on-one. Receiving the ball in stride, he pushed forward to take on the veteran full-back. Neville, unwilling to let him through, stepped across and clipped him directly. Yang Yang went down immediately.
The referee arrived quickly, pulling out a yellow card for the Manchester United captain.
Neville didn't argue. He bent down, offered his hand to help Yang Yang up, patted him on the shoulder, and retreated into position.
Liverpool's resulting free kick was taken by Xabi Alonso. Carragher rose above the crowd but couldn't guide his header on target — it sailed high.
As the clock ticked past thirty minutes, Liverpool were still behind.
After a brief lull, Manchester United unleashed another surge of attacks. Ronaldo remained their most dangerous figure, and his every touch sent Old Trafford into loud, feverish roars. The crowd's energy only pushed him into more ambitious attempts.
But despite his confidence, most of his chances came from distance — long-range shots over twenty meters, driven efforts from the edge of the box, or speculative runs that Liverpool's back line handled well. He rarely broke into the penalty area cleanly.
United's difficulty in penetrating Liverpool's defense showed just how solid Benítez's structure was.
For Yang Yang, the contrast with his Ajax years could not have been clearer. At Ajax, the defensive line had always been fragile; he often had to drop deep to help, even in big matches. Whether in the Eredivisie or Champions League, Ajax were rarely known for defensive steel.
But Liverpool under Benítez was different. The instructions for him were simple: stay high, wait, and strike.
There would be a chance.
Benítez believed in strict division of labour — Yang Yang's role was to attack, to exploit space, to be the blade. Pressing the back line, intercepting in midfield, structuring the buildup — those responsibilities belonged to the rest of the team.
And Yang Yang had always been the kind of player who understood a manager's demands instantly and executed them with precision. Today was no exception.
After repeated sprints, sweat already streamed down his forehead, his shirt sticking to his back. But he felt something growing — a rhythm, a pull.
He was getting closer to United's penalty area with every attack.
Gary Neville's yellow card was proof enough: the defenders were feeling the pressure.
United launched another counterattack, their tempo rising sharply, but Yang Yang sensed something deeper — United's defensive line was edging forward, step by step.
And what was Yang Yang's greatest weapon?
Speed.
Pure, incisive speed.
His ideal situation was unfolding perfectly: a high defensive line, a massive space opening behind it, and defenders facing the wrong direction.
A wide-open field.
A runway built for him alone.
A place where he could fly.
…
Cristiano Ronaldo attempted a flashy heel-flick to slip past Mohamed Sissoko, but the move left the ball exposed. Sissoko stepped in aggressively and clipped him from behind.
The referee rushed over, immediately producing a yellow card for Sissoko and awarding Manchester United another free kick in a dangerous area.
Ronaldo placed the ball himself, clearly eager to take it.
Yang Yang jogged back to join the defensive wall. As he took his position, he found himself standing directly in front of Cristiano Ronaldo once again.
The Portuguese stared straight at him. His eyes burned with intensity — sharp, aggressive, full of adrenaline. The expression on his face was unmistakable: Today, only one of us leaves this pitch as the winner. And it will be me.
Yang Yang held his gaze calmly, without stepping back.
Because that exact thought — that exact challenge — was the same message he was ready to give right back.