It was already half past seven, but in the Middle East, the setting sun was still scorching everything on the earth.
There were still few pedestrians on the streets of Abu Dhabi.
It wouldn't be until later, when the sun finally dipped below the horizon and the temperature cooled, that people would begin to come out.
But inside Mansour's palace, it was unusually lively.
One of the UAE's most powerful nobles was hosting a unique banquet at his residence. The occasion wasn't a festival or an anniversary—it was a football match being played in Manchester, England.
The globally anticipated Manchester derby.
The live broadcast was provided by Al Jazeera Sports, and the Arabic commentator was narrating the game's progress.
Even if they didn't understand football, the nobles attending the banquet could clearly see the score displayed on the large screen.
Nearly 60 minutes into the second half, and the score was still 0–4.
The team in blue jerseys had fired in four goals against the red-shirted rivals.
Each time a goal was scored, Mansour would cheer excitedly, joining the celebrations without hesitation.
Everyone knew why he was so thrilled.
Recently, with Manchester City's growing reputation in the Premier League especially after Gao Shen took over as manager, the team had won five consecutive matches to start the season. This had brought global recognition to Abu Dhabi, the club's financial backer.
Just two days ago, the President of the United Arab Emirates summoned his younger brother, Mansour, to the palace and praised his investment in Manchester City, particularly his decision to hire a world-class coach like Gao Shen. He mentioned that during his foreign visits, Gao Shen's appointment had garnered positive attention.
The UAE President even stated that investing in Manchester City and bringing in a top coach was a move that elevated the international prestige of the UAE and Abu Dhabi.
Delighted by the praise, Mansour promised to continue his efforts to help Manchester City achieve greater heights.
Upon returning from the palace, he immediately planned this aristocratic gathering, inviting relatives and dignitaries to enjoy fine food and drink while watching the world-famous Manchester derby.
What made Mansour even prouder was that Manchester City had thoroughly dismantled Manchester United in this game, racing to a stunning 0-4 lead in the first half, leaving their opponents completely helpless.
Could there be anything more thrilling than this?
Many of the Abu Dhabi nobles had studied in the UK and were familiar with the Premier League. Naturally, they knew how strong Manchester United was.
They, too, were stunned. None had expected that just a year into investing in Manchester City, the club would crush United so thoroughly.
After all, last season, United had humiliated them.
Now, the mood at the banquet had reached a fever pitch. Every time Manchester City launched an attack, cheers echoed throughout the hall.
Whether or not they understood football, they all knew—when the blue team attacked, it was a good thing.
…
"It seems Gao Shen is a rare talent," said Sultan Jaber, seated beside Mansour, smiling as he praised the manager.
He was one of the UAE's most influential figures and held multiple government posts.
"He really is talented. Most importantly, he's young and full of ideas. I like him a lot," Mansour replied.
He had only met Gao Shen twice, but both times had left a deep impression.
Just then, a cry of disbelief came from the Al Jazeera commentator.
…
Ferguson had brought on Park Ji-sung for Berbatov at halftime.
Rooney was moved back to the center.
Park Ji-sung was positioned on the right flank, clearly to try to contain Gareth Bale's surging runs on the left.
But the effect was minimal.
Manchester City continued to generate chances, leaving Manchester United in an awkward position.
So, in the 60th minute, Ferguson made his second substitution, bringing on Anderson for Giggs.
Sneijder moved to the left, while Anderson and Fletcher partnered in midfield, forming a sort of 4-5-1 formation.
This did bring a temporary balance to the game, but it lasted for only about ten minutes.
In the 72nd minute, Gareth Bale popped up once again in Manchester United's half, receiving a pass from David Silva near the center line on the left flank.
Bale stopped the ball with his left foot and faked an inside cut, tricking Park Ji-sung into shifting to block but then he suddenly burst down the touchline, nudged the ball forward just before Park arrived, sprinted out of bounds to avoid contact, and flew past him from outside the pitch, catching up with the ball like lightning.
In a flash, all of Old Trafford gasped.
"Man and ball separated!"
"Bale just passed the ball to himself seconds later!"
"He's just too fast!"
Catching up with the ball, Bale charged forward, leaving Park Ji-sung in the dust. In the blink of an eye, he was already near the outer edge of United's penalty area, bearing down on O'Shea.
Accelerating again, Bale got tight to O'Shea, poked the ball toward the goal line, then exploded forward once more, bulldozing past him.
Simple. Direct. Brutal. Even cruel.
"Oh wow! Another one-on-one, he's done it again!"
"My god—Bale's past O'Shea!"
The Welshman reached the goal line, caught up with the ball, and drilled in a low cross near the six-yard box.
Suarez cleverly slipped between Ferdinand and Vidic, got his foot in before either of them, and stabbed the ball into United's net.
"Goallllllllllllllllll!!!!!"
"Fifth goal!"
"Manchester City is going absolutely crazy!"
"Oh my god, that's five goals tonight!"
"Park Ji-sung and O'Shea have been utterly overwhelmed on United's right side, they just can't handle Gareth Bale."
"The Welshman's pace is terrifying. Once he's off, it's over. There's just no stopping him!"
"0-5!"
"Ferguson needs to seriously reassess his tactics and lineup, this has been a disaster at home for Manchester United, especially their complete failure to contain Gareth Bale!"
…
Just three minutes later, Manchester United mounted an attack near Manchester City's penalty area.
Sneijder slipped a straight pass to Rooney, but the moment Rooney touched the ball, David Luiz closed in from behind.
The tall, long-legged Brazilian center-back extended his leg and cleanly poked the ball away. Then, using his strength to shield Rooney, he took possession and drove forward.
Before even exiting the defensive third, David Luiz launched a direct pass upfield to David Silva.
The Spanish playmaker was tightly marked by Fletcher. After settling the ball under pressure, he managed to turn slightly and, off-balance, poked it to the left.
Gareth Bale was already surging down the left wing, having once again left Park Ji-sung far behind. Before Silva's pass went out of bounds, Bale reached it first, touched it forward, and exploded down the flank again. Using his unmatched pace, he forced his way past O'Shea yet again and delivered another low cross across the face of goal.
Suarez, sprinting at full speed, shook off Ferdinand and Vidic, and met Bale's pass with perfect timing, slamming it into the back of the net once more.
0-6!!!
"Goalllllllllllllllll!!!!!!"
Suarez, overcome with excitement, sprinted straight toward Gareth Bale.
The two embraced tightly on the sideline, celebrating the goal and the victory with unrestrained joy.
"Hat trick!!!"
"Suarez capitalized calmly on his chances, two goals in just three minutes to complete his hat trick!"
"That's now ten Premier League goals for the Uruguayan striker this season!"
"Manchester City's attack is simply unstoppable!"
(To be continued.)