Chapter 757: Dividing the Forces
As the Champions League Round of 16 draw was taking place, Manchester United split into two squads. One group, led by assistant coach Rui Faria, flew to Qatar to compete in the 2019 FIFA Club World Cup. The other group, under assistant coach Michael Carrick, remained in England to play the Carabao Cup quarterfinals.
On September 6, FIFA had announced that Qatar, the host nation for the 2022 World Cup, would also host the 2019 and 2020 editions of the Club World Cup as test events for the upcoming tournament. FIFA was also planning a revamped Club World Cup with 24 teams, set to debut in 2021. For now, the tournament retained its existing format: six continental champions plus the domestic league champion of the host nation.
United's decision to split their squad was out of necessity, as the Club World Cup and Carabao Cup schedules overlapped. Fortunately, United's deep bench, combined with youth team reinforcements, allowed them to form two competitive squads.
The team traveling to Qatar for the Club World Cup consisted mainly of first-team regulars, including Bruno Fernandes. However, only 15 senior players made the trip, supplemented by three youth players. The squad remaining in England comprised 12 first-team players and six youth players.
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Club World Cup Semifinal: Manchester United vs. Monterrey
On the evening of December 18, local time, United faced Monterrey, the champions of the 2019 CONCACAF Champions League, in the semifinals at Khalifa International Stadium in Doha.
With United's owner, Sheikh Jassim, being a Qatari prince, the team enjoyed the status of de facto hosts. The 45,000-capacity stadium was packed with fans, nearly all wearing United jerseys. Monterrey fans numbered only around 1,000.
Buoyed by the support of local fans, United dominated from the outset:
15th minute: Bruno passed to the right flank, where Cancelo sent in a cross. Monterrey defender Montes misjudged the ball, and Harry Kane controlled it with his chest before turning and firing a low shot past goalkeeper Barovero. United 1–0 Monterrey.35th minute: Kanté intercepted Pabón's pass deep in Monterrey's half, sparking a quick attack. Mbappé's shot from the left was parried by Barovero, but Bruno capitalized on the rebound with a low strike from the edge of the box. United 2–0 Monterrey.44th minute: Bruno, cutting in from the left, curled a shot into the far corner from outside the box, making it 3–0 before halftime.
At the break, United's dominance was evident: 77% possession, 11 shots to Monterrey's 1 (a long-range effort), and a commanding lead on the scoreboard.
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Second Half: Young Stars Shine
At halftime, Mourinho made changes, bringing on 16-year-old Jude Bellingham for Kanté. At just 16 years and 172 days old, Bellingham became United's youngest-ever first-team player.
48th minute: Bellingham showcased his pace and skill, beating multiple defenders on the right before delivering a perfect cross for Mbappé, who calmly slotted home. United 4–0 Monterrey.
Mourinho then made further substitutions:
Harry Kane was replaced by McTominay.Bruno Fernandes, after a stellar first half, was substituted for Tahith Chong, another youth player.
With United clearly easing off, Monterrey avoided further humiliation. However, United still managed one more goal:
78th minute: Bellingham's long-range shot was saved by Barovero but deflected onto a Monterrey defender's raised arm. United were awarded a penalty, which Mbappé converted to seal the 5–0 victory.
United advanced to the final, where they would face Brazilian giants Flamengo, who had won their semifinal a day earlier.
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Watching the Carabao Cup Quarterfinals
After their match, the United squad in Qatar returned to their hotel to watch the Carabao Cup quarterfinal between United's second team and League Two side Colchester United at Old Trafford.
Michael Carrick fielded a 4-3-3 formation:
Goalkeeper: RomeroDefenders: Dalot, Lindelöf, Tuanzebe, Brandon WilliamsMidfielders: Mata, Fred, Ashley YoungForwards: Lingard, Greenwood, Rashford
The match held significant importance for the club, as both squads aimed to maintain United's strong showing across all competitions.
Carabao Cup Quarterfinal: Manchester United vs. Colchester United
United's youth-infused squad played aggressively at Old Trafford.
3rd minute: Rashford's free kick from the left sailed over the goal line.7th minute: Another Rashford free kick forced a fumble from Colchester's goalkeeper, but Lingard's follow-up was a split second too late.13th minute: Rashford unleashed a powerful shot from outside the box, narrowly missing the crossbar.31st minute: Rashford's shot on the run drifted just wide of the left post.33rd minute: Another attempt from Rashford on the left flank missed the target completely.
The first half ended goalless, with both teams heading into the break tied at 0–0.
51st minute: Romero launched an attack with a throw to Fred, who sent a through ball to Rashford. From the left wing, Rashford dribbled into the box and blasted the ball into the top-right corner. United 1–0 Colchester. After squandering nearly a dozen chances, Rashford finally found the net.56th minute: Ashley Young passed to Lingard, who surged forward on the right and crossed into the box. Greenwood was there to tap in from close range, doubling United's lead. United 2–0 Colchester.61st minute: Mata delivered a brilliant lofted pass from the edge of the box. Rashford, cool and composed, squared the ball from the left for Greenwood, who struck a clinical finish into the top-right corner. Greenwood's brace extended United's lead to 3–0, which became the final score.
With this emphatic win, United advanced to the Carabao Cup semifinals.
United's two squads triumphed on two fronts, demonstrating their depth and dominance. This stood in stark contrast to Liverpool, who fielded their youth team against Aston Villa and suffered a 5–0 defeat. Critics highlighted Liverpool's lack of squad depth despite their strong league performance.
Elsewhere, Manchester City defeated Oxford United 3–1 away, while Leicester City knocked out Everton on penalties after a 2–2 draw in regulation.
In the semifinal draw, United were once again paired with Manchester City, reigniting their rivalry two years after their last Carabao Cup semifinal clash.
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Club World Cup Third-Place Match: Monterrey vs. Al-Hilal
On the evening of December 21, the third-place match of the Club World Cup kicked off at Khalifa International Stadium in Doha. Monterrey and AFC Champions League winners Al-Hilal drew 2–2 in regular time, with Monterrey prevailing 4–3 on penalties.
Club World Cup Final: Manchester United vs. Flamengo
An hour later, the final began at the same venue, pitting defending champions Manchester United against Brazilian giants Flamengo.
Flamengo adopted a defensive approach, sitting deep and relying on counterattacks. They committed few players forward in possession, a strategy aimed at stifling United's attack.
"Flamengo seems content to concede possession and wait for counterattacking opportunities," remarked Gary Lineker.
"It's a pragmatic choice. Flamengo might have beaten Al-Hilal 3–1 in the semifinals, but their quality is nowhere near Manchester United's. Their manager, Jorge Jesus, hasn't let the semifinal victory cloud his judgment," said Rio Ferdinand, the co-commentator. "Having managed extensively in Portugal before returning to Brazil this summer, he's well aware of United's dominance in Europe."
United completely dominated the first ten minutes, pinning Flamengo in their own half. The Brazilians struggled to clear the ball beyond midfield, and United registered three shots during this period. Only Diego Alves's stellar goalkeeping and the woodwork kept Flamengo from conceding early.
"Jorge is being too conservative," complained Rio de Janeiro-based commentator Ballard. "Sitting this deep against United will only lead to conceding eventually. Flamengo needs to push their lines higher and take more risks."
"It's not just caution—it's the stark disparity in quality," his co-commentator replied.
From the sidelines, Mourinho glanced at Flamengo's bench. If they were playing it safe, he saw no need to hold back.
Mourinho knew Jorge Jesus well. The two first crossed paths during Mourinho's time at Porto, when Jesus was managing Vitória de Guimarães in the Portuguese league. Jesus's defensive strategy came as no surprise to Mourinho, who had anticipated it.
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