Sky Sports Broadcast Studio
"Good afternoon to our viewers around the world! It is a cold, snowy Sunday here in Manchester, but the temperature inside the stadium is rising."
Martin Tyler and Gary Neville sat in the gantry, looking out over the pitch.
"Live now, it is Matchweek 21 of the 2017/18 Premier League season," Tyler announced.
"Manchester United versus Manchester City."
"A clash between two title contenders, and a showdown between two of the world's most sought-after managers."
"Just thinking about it gets the blood pumping," Neville added.
"If Manchester United defeat City today, they will equal Juventus' record of 44 unbeaten home matches and climb at the top of the league. But if Manchester City beats Manchester United, they will break Arsenal's winning streak record and pull away from their close rivals.."
"This is a match of extraordinary significance. It is being broadcast simultaneously in 212 countries, with an estimated viewership of over 700 million."
While the TV broadcast started, fans flooded the internet.
Ling's return was the main topic of conversation.
Twitter (X) Trending: #ManchesterDerby
@RedDevilArmy:I heard Ling is starting? Is this fake news?
@TacticalTim:Probably not. Mourinho hinted at it in the interview yesterday. But you know Jose, always playing mind games. I don't trust a word he says.
@UnitedStand:Look at the training video the official account posted! Ling looks fully fit. He's ready.
@CityZen:Why hasn't Ling opened a social media account yet? It's impossible to find updates on him!
@OldTraffordFaithful:If United beat City, the psychological edge shifts to us. In a long season, mentality is more important than tactics. We need that champion's mentality!
@LingFan99:Go United!! Go Ling! If he scores today, I'll buy everyone in this thread a pint!
The broadcast cut to highlights from the previous day's pressers.
"Possession and counter-attacking are not superior or inferior—they simply reflect different tactical philosophies," Guardiola explained eloquently. "My primary goal is possession, but I respect organization. Once you lose the ball, United punish you. Whether it is Lukaku or Ling, both can carry the ball 30 meters at speed. They have that ability."
A reporter from The Guardian asked, "Is there anything you'd like to say to Mourinho?"
Guardiola smiled, seemingly reminiscing about the days when he still had hair.
"From La Liga to the Premier League, we've been competing for years. I feel like we are almost like twins!"
"Based on your head-to-head record..." the reporter started.
"I have never beaten Mourinho, and he has never beaten me," Guardiola interrupted, shaking his head.
"Our teams have beaten each other. I am not competing against him."
In a different room, a reporter from The Sun tried to stir controversy.
"You and Guardiola are rivals again. How has your personal relationship changed?"
Mourinho didn't take the bait.
"You know, Pep and I worked together for three years. We saw each other every day, celebrating victories and sharing disappointments. Some things remain private. My relationship with him hasn't changed. Football issues will be resolved on the pitch."
"And the tactical styles?"
"Football is magnificent because it is diverse. Fans should enjoy the variety. It's as simple as that."
...
Back in the present, the warm-ups were over.
Mourinho stood in the center of the room.
He had been unusually reserved lately, saving his energy for this moment.
"Our journey so far has been too smooth," Mourinho said sternly. "It has made many people, perhaps even some in this room, overconfident. If you step onto that pitch with that mindset, you will face a devastating defeat."
He looked at his players.
"The road ahead is long. Only through double the effort can we restore Manchester United to its glory. You are warriors with the hearts of champions. Fight for your families, for the fans, for your teammates! City are not invincible. Let's end their streak and keep the honor of Old Trafford!"
"LET'S GO!" The players stacked their hands and roared.
In the away dressing room, Guardiola was equally intense, blending tactical instructions with inspiration.
The City players shouted back while fired up.
...
Half an hour later, the teams lined up.
Zlatan Ibrahimović stood at the back, his gaze fixed on Guardiola with unmistakable hostility.
He remembered his vow from Barcelona: "I'll come for you every time I see you."
He wasn't starting, but he was watching.
Kevin De Bruyne, meanwhile, stared intently at Ling.
Ever since the Champions League draw, he had been tracking the young player's rapid progress.
Today, he would see it up close.
...
Martin Tyler "The teams are out. Mourinho deploys a 4-2-3-1. From this formation, we can deduce United intends to defend deep and congest the midfield, looking for the counter. Fans will be thrilled—Ling returns from injury to start as the right midfielder."
Gary Neville "That's a position he rarely plays, Martin. It's a specific tactical arrangement from Mourinho. Let's see if the lad can handle the defensive work."
Martin Tyler "City are in a 4-3-3. They have been in scintillating form, but their last few wins were narrow, last-gasp victories. Perhaps a sign of fatigue? The referee blows the whistle... and we are underway!"
Old Trafford erupted.
After kickoff, City played with unusual caution, avoiding their trademark high press.
Ling's role on the right became clear immediately: help retain the ball and support the defense.
4th Minute on, Ling received a pass on the wing.
Immediately, David Silva closed him down.
After months of training, Ling's ball protection held up. He held off Silva and tried to pass inside, but Fernandinho anticipated it and intercepted.
"City's defense on that flank is formidable," Neville noted. "They are locking Ling down like a padlock."
"Look at the movement," Tyler observed. "City's forwards have swapped. Sterling is central, Sane is on the right, Jesus on the left. Guardiola expected the man-marking and scrambled his front line."
City built up slowly, using the flanks.
Matic and Pogba were pinned back by De Bruyne and Silva, forcing Rashford and Ling to drop deep.
United's shape had effectively become a 4-5-1.
15th Minute, Suddenly, the state of play shifted.
De Bruyne received a pass.
He seemed to have a bird's-eye view of the pitch—every gap was visible to him. He executed a quick one-two with Jesus.
Simultaneously, City's front line accelerated.
De Bruyne leaned his body and delivered a pass.
Snap!
The ball was like a cruise missile, slicing through a momentary gap in United's defense.
Smalling leaped high to intercept, but his expression changed in mid-air.
He misjudged it.
The ball skimmed over his scalp.
"What a pass!" Tyler shouted. "De Bruyne has unlocked them!"
Sane burst past the defense, controlling the ball perfectly as he entered the box.
Bang!
He fired low toward the left corner.
De Gea reacted instantly.
He took a small hop and launched into a full-stretch dive, extending his body to the limit.
"Brilliant!"
"De Gea makes a world-class save!" Neville yelled. "Look at him roaring—he's keeping United in this!"
Old Trafford cheered as if they had scored.
"Wake up!" Mourinho screamed from the sidelines, unhappy that City had penetrated the box so easily.
Guardiola, meanwhile, held his head in disbelief.
"City corner," Tyler called. "David Silva delivers to the penalty spot."
Rojo won the header, clearing it powerfully.
United held the height advantage.
The ball flew out toward the flank.
United had survived the wave, and now, they looked to break.
To relieve the pressure, they had to push out.
City, however, continued to use pass-and-move tactics, trying to lure United's defenders out of position to exploit the space behind.