East stand of Old Trafford was filled with laughter and cheers as City supporters sang joyfully from the stands. With only three minutes of stoppage time remaining, the match was nearing its end—the final Manchester derby of the season was about to be written into history.
In the first half of the league season, City had won the derby.
In the second half, United had struck back.
In the FA Cup, United had triumphed once again.
But now, under the bright lights of the League Cup, it was City's turn.
And this time, there was no debate.
City dominated the match, their control absolute, their intent ruthless. The scoreboard told the story clearly: this was not just a victory—it was a statement.
Manchester City seized their chances in the final minutes of the game, while Manchester United threw everything forward in attack—yet all their effort ended in frustration. This was the kind of moment that made Richard nervous.
