The Manchester United fans, recalling the painful memories of that year, also began singing their anthem symbolizing the Red Devils, "Glory Glory Man United."
The loud, clear melody gradually drifted out of the Etihad Stadium, floating toward the blood-red sunset in the distance.
With solemn expressions, the United fans watched the players battling on the pitch, a strong sense of confidence welling up in their hearts.
Liverpool, Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester City...
They had defeated every strong opponent along the way.
No one could stop their progress, and today's Manchester United would certainly not be defeated.
They were determined to firmly grasp their destiny in their own hands!
When the match reached the 80th minute.
Mourinho used all three substitutions at once: Scott McTominay for Marcus Rashford, Victor Lindelof for Ling, and Jesse Lingard for Ander Herrera.
Clearly intending to park the bus and defend stubbornly.
Amid the rapturous applause from the traveling United fans, Ling and his teammates left the pitch.
After embracing Mourinho, they became anxious spectators on the bench.
Their eyes followed the ball's every move.
When Manchester City created threatening attacks, they instinctively gasped in alarm; when United managed to neutralize the attacks, they broke into nervous smiles.
Although there were only 22 players on the football pitch, no one knew how many hearts were being tugged along with the game.
"Manchester United's defense is resolute," Jim Beglin analyzed. "They're using their physical fitness to cover most areas and are very decisive with fouls in non-dangerous zones."
"It's pragmatic, and perhaps ugly to watch for the neutrals."
"But compared to the beauty of victory, those aesthetic things are meaningless to Mourinho."
In the 83rd minute.
David Silva broke through on the left flank, combined with Sane ahead of him in a quick one-two, then switched the play with a long pass to the right wing.
Gundogan!
The German is an all-round midfielder, capable of playing in any midfield position, with a strong ability to read the game.
Especially his willingness to demand the ball in front of the defense, directing attacks with long passes and through balls.
Before he could make his pass, Jesse Lingard suddenly charged in from the side like a headache that wouldn't go away.
Gundogan could only cut inside to evade, but Lingard stuck to him like glue, impossible to shake off.
His role at Manchester United is that of a disruptor.
It might sound unpleasant, but it's an accurate description of his function.
Whether it was the opponent's attack or defense, he could disrupt it through relentless running.
Lingard felt his physical stamina rapidly declining, but he still tightly marked Gundogan.
Due to his slow physical development, he had still been training with U16 players at age 18.
He once believed he would never become a professional footballer.
But Mourinho's arrival changed his destiny.
Mourinho always maintained complete trust in him, fielding him in every major match.
Lingard gritted his teeth and charged toward the ball once more.
All he could do was repay Mourinho's trust with outstanding performances.
Like in the 2016 FA Cup final, that spectacular long-range shot that captivated the world.
If N'Golo Kanté expanded his coverage through tactical awareness, then Lingard used the most basic method—never stopping his running.
The ball was transferred to David Silva's feet once again.
This time it was Scott McTominay who stepped up.
He was like a mad dog, relentlessly harassing his opponent.
Even with David Silva's exceptional ball control skills, the Spaniard still felt tremendous pressure.
Between 2013 and 2015, McTominay made only 7 appearances for Manchester United's U18 team.
In the 2013/14 season, his total playing time was less than 120 minutes!
His rapid height growth and physical limitations meant he couldn't even complete a full 90-minute match back then.
Bullying from peers even made him consider giving up football.
But he ultimately persevered.
The toughest trainers at Manchester United were Ling, followed closely by McTominay.
Thus he transformed from that slender youth into the tall, powerful young man he is today.
5 kilometers in 15 minutes 54 seconds.
This achievement not only topped all Premier League players but could also rank within the top 30 of professional 5km runners in Britain this season.
Only he knew how much sweat was shed behind that result.
During the 60th anniversary memorial of the Munich air disaster, Sir Alex Ferguson had pointed at McTominay, reminding Mourinho to utilize him more.
Mourinho also appreciated this hardworking disciple.
McTominay used his strong physique to shield David Silva, denying him any space or opportunity to break through.
His face was drenched in sweat.
A past conversation with Mourinho flashed through his mind.
"Son, there's no place for you at Manchester United right now. Go out on loan for two years and come back, I promise you'll be better."
"I don't want to be loaned out. I want to prove myself at Manchester United."
His response had been so determined.
He was willing to fight for Manchester United, to persevere for the badge.
He believed there would always be a stage waiting for his brilliance to shine.
Finally, under McTominay's suffocation pressure, the ball was poked out of bounds.
David Silva gasped heavily, looked seriously at the young man before him, then smiled bitterly.
"Scott, well done!"
A hoarse voice suddenly rang from the substitutes' bench—Ling stood on the bench roaring wildly.
After he thoroughly beat up Mitchell in training way back when, the two had become inseparable friends.
He never considered himself a selfish person, so after receiving the knowledge instilled by the system, he chose to train together with McTominay, sharing his insights.
He hoped to witness McTominay's excellent performances and looked forward to the moment they would lift championship trophies together.
Because that was the story of their growth and struggle.
McTominay flashed a brilliant smile before throwing himself back into defense.
Without sophisticated defensive skills, he would use relentless challenges to transform into a monster that opponents feared.
Mourinho's icy expression gradually softened, seeming to mix with relief and joy.
Manchester City continued to launch storm-like attacks.
Every Manchester United player descended into madness.
Blood-pumping challenges, heart-pounding tackles, and an all-or-nothing attitude.
89th minute.
Gundogan unleashed a surprise shot from outside the box.
De Gea actually made a handling error, and the ball landed right between Aguero and Chris Smalling.
The iron-willed defender knelt down without hesitation and headed the ball back to De Gea with his knee, risking a penalty or an own goal, but surviving on pure instinct.
The Manchester sunset burned like raging flames, setting the vast sky ablaze in crimson.
The red jerseys of the Manchester United players on the pitch grew increasingly vivid.
...
The melodious tunes gradually faded, replaced by hoarse voices and passionate rhythms.
The fourth official raised the LED board—three minutes of stoppage time.
This was Manchester City's final chance.
They still refused to give up their attacks. It wasn't just the United players who had stories—they too carried secrets buried deep in their hearts.
That was the source of strength that kept them going.
The thirst for victory wouldn't easily fade, only growing more crazy with time.
All ten Manchester City players pushed past the halfway line.
Charge, charge, charge.
Their eyes were fixed only on United's goal. Every pass and dribble was meant to bring them closer to it.
"Aguero shoots from outside the box!" Drury screamed.
"De Gea doesn't make another basic error! Securely palms it out for a corner!"
"Manchester City corner! They opt for a short corner, recycling it to the edge of the box!"
"Fernandinho chips it into the area!"
"Sané volleys!"
"Right into David Luiz's face! It bounces out for another corner!"
Jesus frantically yelled at the ball boy to hurry up and throw the ball back, desperate to restart play.
Tweet! Tweet! Tweeeeeet!
The two short blasts and one long blast of the whistle suddenly rang out, cutting through the Manchester air.
Jesus suddenly lost all strength, collapsing onto the damp turf.
He looked up at the blood-red sunset above the stadium.
'So...'
'Manchester's sky is indeed Red.'
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