Chapter 41
Chapter 41
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Translator: Silver Dragon
Chapter: 41
Chapter Title: FA Cup Semi-Final vs Tottenham
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Manchester United has successfully maintained a winning streak through round 44 of the league, riding high on great momentum.
On the other hand, Leeds United has hit a rough patch with three straight draws, including that stalemate against Leicester City in round 42.
Thanks to that, the points gap with Manchester United has widened to four.
At this point, unless Leeds wins both their remaining games to claw back six points—and Manchester United drops even a single point in theirs—the title is United's for sure.
And if United pulls two points ahead, tying on points would still likely leave them top thanks to goal difference.
In short, a win in their next league fixture, round 45, seals the championship no matter what Leeds does.
They're basically at the finish line.
But before that—separate from the league title—there's a match that demands even more focus.
FA Cup.
The one tournament this season where Manchester United can silence critics claiming they only bully second-division sides.
They've already knocked out Premier League outfits West Ham, Fulham, and Newcastle to get this far.
The semi-final opponent? Tottenham Hotspur.
Not derby foes or local rivals, but Man United and Tottenham share a surprisingly deep history.
"Do ManU and the chicken shop always kick off at the same time? lololol"
Posted: May 30, 2025
And they both crash out side by side lololololol These guys are straight-up hilarious this season lolololol 16. Manchester United17. Tottenham Hotspur
Man United and Tottenham both endured their worst seasons ever in 24-25, finishing 15th and 17th respectively.
They even met in the Europa League final after both qualifying.
And as everyone knows, Tottenham took the win.
Son Heung-min's first European trophy—and his last, as it turned out.
They shared the same downfall, but carved out different paths.
Tottenham bombed the league but won Europa.
Man United bombed everything, ending trophyless.
Even more shocking? How each club responded.
Tottenham, despite the Europa triumph, focused on their dismal league finish and parted ways with Ange Postecoglou.
Man United, failing across the board, doubled down on Ruben Amorim...
The worst decision imaginable.
How bad does a trophyless 15th place have to be before you sack the manager?
Half stubbornness, half prayer—Man United stuck with Amorim through 25-26 too.
Thus, the two clubs that tanked together in 24-25 diverged completely.
Tottenham boldly sacked Postecoglou, hired Thomas Frank, and transformed into a legit Big 6 contender.
That failure even turned into a blessing.
Man United, meanwhile...
Well, their current reality says it all.
Relegated. Second division.
Starting from that 24-25 season, the two clubs went polar opposite ways—and now clash in the FA Cup semis.
A massive draw in Europe, but especially among Koreans—this match was pulling insane interest.
Both clubs legends for Korean fans thanks to their long association with Korean superstar Son Heung-min.
With ManU relegated, no one expected this matchup anytime soon—yet here it is in the FA Cup semis.
ST: Lucas Kruiden / CAM: Ban Yeager
LW: Mason Mount / RW: Shea Lacey
LCM: Toby Collier / RCM: Marc Bernal
LB: Harry Amass / RB: Jaden Kamason
LCB: Made Murcia / RCB: Noussair Mazraoui
GK: Mike Maignan
ST: Georges Ilokena / CAM: Dejan Kulusevski
LW: Mohammed Daramy / RW: Mohammed Kudus
LCM: Archie Gray / RCM: Lucas Bergvall
LB: Destiny Udogie / RB: Pedro Porro
LCB: Micky van de Ven / RCB: Antonio Silva
GK: Guglielmo Vicario
Plain and simple: Tottenham held the clear edge.
No matter United's hot streak.
No matter their freak prospects Ban Yeager and Lucas Kruiden.
No matter solid signings like Marc Bernal and Mike Maignan.
One year in the second tier doesn't bridge that gap.
While United spiraled, Spurs marched the opposite path.
Back-to-back, until Spurs reached the promised land.
Positional balance in the lineup? Spurs. Bench quality? Spurs.
Fans saw it: no chance for United.
Doomed. Can't win. Pessimism everywhere.
But since Ban Yeager joined, United has smashed every doubt head-on.
Will Spurs prove top dog? Or will United rise as ultimate underdog?
It all goes down at soccer's holy ground: Wembley Stadium.
Tottenham.
One of the teams I rooted for hard as a kid.
Who among Koreans didn't cheer for Spurs back when Son Heung-min was lighting it up?
Even casuals got swept up—TV constantly buzzing with Son and Spurs.
And after that beautiful farewell with Son, they only got scarier.
Like Son's Europa win as his first trophy, Spurs' 17-year drought end sparked a revolution.
The first team I visited post U-17 World Cup.
One I might've signed with.
"Hoo..."
If I had, I doubt I'd have this love and fame.
Stuck relying on me for goals: the hopeless trio wingers and non-scoring striker Sesko.
Mids and defenders force-feeding me passes, begging for magic.
And now, Lucas to finish my assists clean.
'Damn... I love you guys!'