Until May 14th, when Ling arrived in London to attend an awards ceremony.
Amid the applause of numerous professional players, he became the star of the show, sweeping four Best Player awards with an absolute advantage.
"I'm very happy to stand here once again. Winning so many awards wouldn't have been possible without..." Ling delivered a series of polite remarks.
After all, when you're out in the world, you have to navigate social niceties. Holding onto an aloof, independent mindset won't get you far.
Meanwhile, Ling's old rivals—Liverpool's Mane and Salah, Manchester City's Leroy Sane, and others—could only watch listlessly.
"We're worse off than Benzema. It's understandable that his 21 goals couldn't compete with Messi, but we both scored over thirty goals and still can't win the Ballon d'Or," Mane sighed, looking up at the sky.
Salah's eye twitched uncontrollably, thinking to himself, 'You only had one season of this, but I went through it last season too.'
"Does this mean as long as Ling is in the Premier League, we'll never have our day?" Leroy Sane sounded somewhat indignant.
De Bruyne sighed silently. "Based on the current situation, that does seem to be the case."
He was one of the few players in the Premier League, or even in Europe, who truly understood what made Ling so strong.
Aside from his terrifying physical attributes, the key was that Ling played with intelligence. He adjusted his positioning based on the game situation and actively adapted to the team's tactics. As opponents, how could they possibly keep up with Ling's rhythm?
So, to truly figure out Ling, it wasn't about studying his habits but exploring his football philosophy. Only by digging out the most crucial, deepest aspects could they hope to truly contain Ling.
"Virgil, we need to team up next season and try to take down Manchester United!" Leroy Sane said to Van Dijk.
"It's not something we should concern ourselves with. All we need to do is play well," Van Dijk shook his head.
He was still very principled and wouldn't resort to underhanded tactics just because he wasn't strong enough. But other clubs probably would.
According to the rumors he had heard, more than nine clubs had already reported Manchester United for violating Financial Fair Play regulations, demanding that Manchester United be disqualified from European competitions. The matter had now been brought before the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
...
"Next, congratulations to Manchester United's head coach, Jose Mourinho, for being named the 2018-19 Premier League Manager of the Season!"
Clap, clap, clap.
Mourinho passed by Jeremy Ling, hearing his player whisper, "Boss, make your acceptance speech a bit more arrogant. You're the defending champion manager, and for the second time!"
Mourinho just shook his head helplessly, slowly walked up to the podium, and gently tapped the microphone.
Looking at Mourinho under the spotlight, the reporters below felt as if they had traveled through time.
In 2004, a Portuguese man arrived in London and ushered in a new era. They still remembered Mourinho chewing gum, swaggering into the press conference with an air of arrogance.
In 2019, after all these twists and turns, it was still him. Mourinho's hair had turned completely white, and his back was slightly hunched.
Smiling at the camera, he said, "I said I was the Special One, and I think that's been proven now."
"In your coaching career, which championship is the best?" the host followed up.
Mourinho smiled and looked down at the audience. "The best championship is always the next one."
Guardiola applauded softly.
In truth, the conflict between him and Mourinho had long since dissipated without them realizing it. It was just the competitive drive of middle-aged men that kept their relationship as cold as before.
...
On the afternoon after the awards ceremony, Ling returned to Manchester.
Two open-top buses emblazoned with the Manchester United crest drove from Old Trafford to Cathedral Gardens, passing through the National Football Museum along the way.
Tens of thousands of fans lined both sides of the street, forming two massive walls of people.
Bang, bang, bang—
Ling wore a pair of cool sunglasses, holding the championship trophy in his left hand and a bottle of champagne in his right.
"Today, Manchester belongs to Manchester United!"
"Manchester United!"
"The sky over Manchester is red!"
Manchester United fans roared wildly, sharing the joy of winning the championship with the players.
"Ling, let me have a go! I didn't get enough playtime earlier!" Maguire took the trophy from Ling's hands, excitedly waving it back and forth at the fans.
Thud!
The trophy suddenly hit the bus railing, startling Maguire so much that he let go.
And then—The trophy fell to the ground, nearly getting run over by the bus!
"Harry!"
"Harry!"
Shouts of alarm rose from the Manchester United players as they quickly notified the bus driver to stop.
"FUCK, the base of the trophy fell off. The replica's quality isn't great!" Maguire walked back, cradling the trophy with a look of despair.
Click!
Ling laughed and took a photo, posting it on his social media with a caption.
'An unforgettable memory 🐶'
"Harry, do you already look down on the Premier League Title?" After joking, Ling comforted him, "But don't worry too much. The club will have someone fix it later. Replacing the base won't cost much."
Manchester United players chimed in one after another.
"Harry, I thought you were going to imitate the boss—he gave his medal to the fans, and you gave the trophy to the fans."
"Hahaha, that's so on-brand for you."
"Did you mistake it for the English League Cup trophy? That thing isn't even as big as your head, but the Premier League Title trophy is a different story!"
"Too bad it didn't get crushed by the bus, otherwise we'd have made history."
Maguire looked helplessly at Ling.
Ling patted Maguire's shoulder and comforted him, "I told you not to worry too much. It's just one championship trophy—we'll win many more in the future."
...
Time then fast-forwarded to May 22nd.
The 2018-19 FA Cup was about to kick off!
To this day, no team in England has ever swept the league and both major cups in a single season. In short, England has yet to see a domestic treble winner.
And now, Manchester United is just one competition away from making history—the FA Cup!
Wembley Stadium.
The red and blue colors are distinctly divided, splitting the stands into two opposing camps. Flags belonging to both teams flutter in the summer breeze.
For Manchester United fans, Wembley Stadium has always been a lucky ground, and they've even composed a song in its praise.
Listening to the familiar melody echoing in his ears, Ling's expression turned nostalgic.
Back when he first arrived in England, his father had accompanied him on a tour of London, and the first major stadium he saw was Wembley. That hundred-meter-high white arch was forever etched into his memory.
So many years have passed, and now he's a regular at Wembley—a thought that couldn't help but stir a deep sense of emotion.
After finishing his warm-up, Ling waved to the stands. Instantly, cheers erupted from the Manchester United fans.
Soon after, players from both teams returned to their dressing rooms.
...
"Manchester City, Manchester City, and still Manchester City—how many times have we played them this season?" Maguire leaned against the locker room cabinet, his large head swaying rhythmically.
"Actually, not that many. Twice in the league, once in the English League Cup, once in the FA Cup, and the Champions League in early June. That's only five times in total," Rashford replied.
"Five times isn't enough?" De Gea shook his gloves.
Putting himself in their shoes, if he were a Manchester City player, losing to Manchester United repeatedly in crucial matches would've made his mindset erupt like a volcano long ago.
"Because of that, Manchester City's desire to beat us will only grow stronger." Ling interrupted his teammates' discussion. "Looking back at our matches against Manchester City, their performance has improved with each game. In the English League Cup, they even pushed us to penalties. So, everyone must not let their guard down."
In high-level matches, every detail can determine the outcome, and attitude is undoubtedly a key factor.
Besides, this is his first match as captain, and it's also Manchester United's chance to secure England's first-ever domestic treble.
Victory is the only option—defeat isn't on the table!
The boss, Mourinho, tapped the tactical board, nodding in agreement.
"As Manchester City's opponents, I think you should understand just how strong they are. But don't doubt your own abilities either. Since we managed to defeat Manchester City and Liverpool to win the League Title, it proves we're stronger than them.
"In this match, Manchester City's tactics will likely be similar to those in the league—attacking through the left and right half-spaces, looking for opportunities to deliver passes into the box. Manchester City's forwards are highly explosive. Once they create any space, they can pose a deadly threat.
"But Manchester City still has that same old problem—their single defensive midfielder lacks defensive intensity. As a result, there will be pauses in their transitions between attack and defense, which is an opportunity we must seize.
"Additionally, when attacking, press their defensive midfielder collectively, forcing other Manchester City players to provide support and increasing their overall physical exertion."
...
Meanwhile, in the neighboring dressing room...
All eyes were fixed on Guardiola as the Spaniard spoke in a serious tone: "Exploiting the blind spot with diagonal passes—that's our strategy for today!"
"Manchester United's defensive players lack mobility, and their defensive midfield relies heavily on Kante's lateral coverage. But we can use quick passing to stretch United's formation."
Guardiola looked toward De Bruyne: "When we hold possession on the right flank, we can draw United's entire team to shift toward that side. Then, if our forwards move in the opposite direction relative to United, an inevitable visual blind spot will appear."
"At that moment, a diagonal pass can be played directly into that space. The receiving forward will also gain a small pocket of space, allowing for better penetration into the penalty area."
As Guardiola spoke confidently, the anxiety in the Manchester City players' hearts gradually subsided.
It was true that City had lost to United, but they hadn't remained stagnant. Instead, while staying true to their identity, they continuously refined the tactical details.
Guardiola rarely gave passionate motivational speeches, but his calm and composed demeanor instilled confidence in the City players.
Perhaps this was what charisma was all about?
Ling certainly didn't feel it.
He just thought his future father-in-law was difficult to deal with, both on and off the pitch.
During last season's FA Cup final, he had taken Maria to watch the match.
Yet Guardiola actually complained to Mourinho about it. Was that something a forty-nine-year-old man should do?
"We've already been eliminated from the league, so the remaining two matches are our last chances this season."
"I don't need to say too much—I believe you all understand."
"In the world of football, championships are everything. No one remembers the runners-up, unless they finish second every year."
"I don't want to leave the fans with the impression of a 'runner-up' Manchester City."
...
Whoosh!!!
Led by the officiating team, the players walked out of the tunnel. Wembley Stadium erupted in a thunderous roar of cheers.
Squinting against the glaring sunlight, Ling thought to himself, The sun is really strong today—I need to manage my energy consumption carefully.
Truthfully, he preferred playing at night, since he wouldn't have to endure the scorching sun. If only it could rain. But looking up at the clear, cloudless sky, his hopes for rain were dashed.
"Good evening to you all, wherever you are in the world!"
"We are broadcasting live from the glorious Wembley Stadium, it's the 2018-19 FA Cup final!"
"Manchester United lock horns with Manchester City in a Manchester Derby for the ages!"
Peter Drury and Jim Beglin sat in the commentary booth, greeting the vast audience of fans.
"Now, let's look at the starting lineups for both teams."
"In the famous red jerseys are Manchester United. Mourinho hasn't made many changes, sticking with a 4-3-1-2 formation..."
"Mahrez unfortunately misses today's FA Cup final due to a muscle strain sustained during training two days ago. However, Rashford arrives in scintillating form, having come off the bench in the last three matches and finding the net in every single one of them!"
"We can see Ling donning the captain's armband tonight! This is his first match as Manchester United's first captain, which I believe holds colossal personal significance for the young man!"
"Let's hope this marks the dawn of a wonderful new era."
"Now let's turn our gaze to Manchester City's starting eleven. Guardiola continues with his 4-3-3 formation..."
"In the heat of battle, this formation fluidly morphs, especially with Bernardo Silva and Sterling taking turns to orchestrate the attack! This not only provides ammunition for Sergio Aguero but also grants the wingers ample space and time to weave their magic on the ball."
"In the final round of the Premier League, Manchester City engineered a comeback to defeat Brighton utilizing exactly this blueprint."
"Jim, where do you see this one being won or lost tonight?" Peter Drury inquired.
Jim Beglin pondered for a moment. "Mahrez's absence through injury leaves a significant void for Manchester United. His partnership with young Ling is so technically refined, it could have been the perfect weapon to dismantle Manchester City's defense."
"But Rashford relies heavily on his blistering pace and doesn't quite boast the same technical nuance as Mahrez."
"And if they fail to apply sustained, suffocating pressure on Manchester City's backline..."
Jim Beglin didn't finish his sentence, but the meaning was clear.
Manchester City would use relentless possession and passing to drag Manchester United into their rhythm, then find an opportunity to strike decisively.
Manchester United's chances of winning weren't great.
"WILL ENGLAND'S VERY FIRST DOMESTIC TREBLE BE CROWNED TONIGHT? WE WAIT WITH BATED BREATH!"