Chapter 833: The Roses Derby
One day after Manchester United's Premier League match against Sheffield United, on the evening of December 18, 2020 (local time in the UK), the 2020 FIFA Awards ceremony was held online.
Originally scheduled for September, the ceremony had been postponed due to the severe pandemic situation. FIFA had initially insisted on hosting a live event—after all, it was their most prestigious occasion—but by the end of the year, with the UK still battling worsening outbreaks, the organization had no choice but to move the event online.
Despite the virtual format, all awards were still presented as planned.
Tottenham Hotspur's South Korean star Son Heung-min won the Puskás Award for Best Goal of the Year, thanks to his breathtaking solo goal scored late last year in the Premier League against Burnley.
During that match, Son picked up the ball in his own half and sprinted nearly eighty meters, slicing through Burnley's entire team before calmly slotting it past the keeper.
That goal not only became one of the Premier League's most iconic moments but also marked the highest point of an Asian player's career on the world stage.
...
The men's awards were dominated entirely by Manchester United.
With four consecutive Premier League titles and three straight Champions League triumphs, José Mourinho was named Best Men's Coach for the third consecutive year.
David De Gea maintained his reputation as one of the world's best goalkeepers. Given his superb statistics and his contributions to United's five-trophy season, his place as Best Goalkeeper and in the FIFA World XI was never in doubt.
As for the FIFA Men's Player of the Year, there was no surprise—Bruno once again claimed the honor, his third in a row. Combined with his 2015 FIFA Ballon d'Or win, he now held four total FIFA World Player awards.
Marcus Rashford received the FIFA Foundation Award in recognition of his humanitarian work. Over the past year, he successfully lobbied the UK government to provide free school meals to underprivileged children, helped raise over £20 million, and personally assisted local charities in distributing food to families in need.
FIFA commended Rashford for his "outstanding efforts and humanitarian contribution to combat child poverty" and announced a $100,000 donation to his charity initiatives.
During his acceptance speech, Rashford said:
"I just want to say thank you. I've spoken to people from other countries who want to be involved and learn more. It's creating a ripple effect because now players and organizations elsewhere are starting to take action too.
I've had messages from players in other leagues—they want to make a difference in their own countries. That's exactly why I do this: to make life better for others. It's had a positive impact, and I believe it will keep growing. Kids are looking forward with their heads held high, not down. For that, I thank everyone."
...
As December moved toward its end, Christmas was approaching—and with it came the dreaded holiday fixture schedule known as the "festive madness."
On December 20, Manchester United next faced newly promoted Leeds United.
The Red Rose and the White Rose—names born from one of England's most storied rivalries. The feud traced back to the Wars of the Roses, a centuries-old conflict between the House of Lancaster (symbolized by the red rose) and the House of York (symbolized by the white rose).
In the modern day, that same rivalry lived on the football pitch. Representing the Red Rose of Lancaster stood Manchester United; the White Rose of York, Leeds United.
Just as Manchester's cotton mills once dominated Leeds' wool trade, so too had Manchester United overshadowed Leeds United's fortunes for most of history.
In the early days, both clubs were inconsistent, their meetings intermittent. But during the 1960s and 70s, their battles reached a fever pitch. Manchester United were led by the great Sir Matt Busby, and Leeds by legendary manager Don Revie.
In the 1964–65 FA Cup, Leeds knocked out United with a last-minute winner, yet in the league that same season, United claimed the championship on goal difference ahead of their rivals.
The rivalry peaked during those decades, coinciding with the height of English football hooliganism, when violent clashes between the rival fan groups became almost routine.
...
Among the many infamous stories between the two clubs, Manchester United fans most fondly recall—and Leeds supporters most bitterly resent—the Red Devils' habit of poaching their brightest stars: most notably Eric Cantona, Rio Ferdinand, and Alan Smith.
The Cantona transfer was almost accidental. Leeds had sought a player from United, but when Sir Alex Ferguson turned them down, he offhandedly asked if Cantona was for sale. Leeds surprisingly agreed, and the rest became history—the King of Old Trafford was born.
As for Ferdinand and Smith, Leeds' financial crisis in the early 2000s forced them to sell key assets. United seized the opportunity to bring both northward. Ferdinand went on to become one of the greatest center-backs in United's history, while Smith earned a reputation as a fearless, hard-tackling warrior beloved by fans.
...
Now, sixteen years after their last Premier League meeting, Leeds were back under the command of the eccentric genius Marcelo Bielsa—nicknamed the "Madman."
Despite being a newly promoted side, Leeds played with relentless attacking intensity that unsettled even the league's best. They had lost 3–4 to Liverpool in a spectacular battle that earned Jürgen Klopp's admiration, and later held Guardiola's Manchester City to a 1–1 draw.
Fresh from a 5–2 thrashing of Newcastle in the previous round, Bielsa's men arrived full of confidence.
Mourinho knew his team would need total focus to avoid an upset.
From Leeds' first 13 matches, six had featured four goals or more—proof of Bielsa's philosophy: if you don't knock me down, I'll knock you down.
So for Mourinho, there were only two choices—either strike first and smother Leeds' attack, or weather the storm and counter when the time was right.
...
The players awaited their entrance in the tunnel.
Mourinho and Leeds boss Bielsa shared a brief handshake before returning to their respective benches.
"The players are ready to walk out. Let's take a look at the starting lineups," said commentator Andy Gray.
Leeds United lineup (4-1-4-1):
Goalkeeper: Meslier
Defenders: Dallas, Ayling, Cooper, Alioski
Holding Midfielder: Phillips
Midfielders: Raphinha, Rodrigo, Klich, Harrison
Forward: Bamford
"Leeds stick with the same formation and personnel as in their 5–2 win over Newcastle. Clearly, Bielsa is hoping to replicate that performance."
Manchester United lineup (4-3-3):
Goalkeeper: De Gea
Defenders: João Cancelo, Maguire, Van Dijk, Luke Shaw
Midfielders: N'Golo Kanté, Bruno, İlkay Gündoğan
Forwards: Riyad Mahrez, Scott McTominay, Mason Greenwood
"On the United side, Mourinho continues his rotation—McTominay joins Greenwood and Mahrez up front, while Bruno anchors midfield with Kanté and Gündoğan."
...
Andy Gray continued, "This is Leeds United's first season back in the Premier League after sixteen years. Under Bielsa, they've won five, drawn two, and lost six—17 points, 13th place. Bielsa's 'madman' label is well-earned; his sides thrive on pure attacking aggression. Leeds have scored 22 goals, the eighth-most in the league, but defensively they've struggled, conceding 24—only West Brom have allowed more, tied with Sheffield United."
"By contrast, Mourinho's United are built on defensive solidity. They've conceded just 13 goals in 13 games—second fewest behind Tottenham."
Martin Tyler, co-commentator, added with interest: "An attacking purist versus a defensive master—a battle of extremes! Let's see what fireworks await us."
...
Though Leeds were newcomers and United a reigning powerhouse, this was one of the round's most anticipated fixtures, broadcast not only across the UK but worldwide.
Commentators everywhere explained to fans the historic significance of the occasion—the return of one of England's oldest rivalries.
On the pitch, captains Bruno and Liam Cooper took the coin toss.
Bruno called correctly—United chose their preferred end, leaving Leeds the kickoff.
"Round one goes to us," Mourinho said with a satisfied nod.
Assistant Rui Faria glanced at him, suspecting his boss might be nervous. "You're not nervous, are you?" he teased.
"Nervous? Me?" Mourinho replied with feigned disbelief. "Why would I be?"
Faria chuckled, realizing he had been mistaken.
(END CHAPTER)
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