Chapter 882: Five Consecutive Premier League Titles
Two days after Manchester United lifted the FA Cup trophy, good news came from the American Express Community Stadium in Brighton. In front of more than 7,000 home fans, Brighton—already safe from relegation—played brilliantly, defeating the mighty Manchester City 3–2. The upset not only delighted the crowd but all but ended City's hopes of retaining the Premier League title.
With only one round remaining, City trailed United by three points and were also six goals worse off on goal difference. That meant even if United lost both of their remaining matches, City would still need a massive win to have any chance of taking the title on goal difference.
In truth, it was practically impossible.
United didn't even need to wait until the final day—they only needed a draw in their next home game to secure the championship with one round to spare.
And facing relegated Fulham at home, needing only a point, was hardly a daunting task. If they somehow failed to get even that, the entire team would have reason to bury their heads in shame.
...
On May 19, 2021, at 6 p.m. local time in the United Kingdom, a match watched around the world kicked off at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff: Manchester United versus Fulham.
By itself, this game might not have carried such significance, but City's defeat to Brighton the previous day transformed it into a title-decider.
A single point would crown United the champions of the 2020–2021 Premier League season. It would be their fifth consecutive top-flight title—a first in the club's history and a feat no other English club had ever achieved before.
This match also marked United's farewell to the Millennium Stadium.
Since Old Trafford entered reconstruction in early 2019, United had used Cardiff's Millennium Stadium as their temporary home for over two years. The original plan had been to return to the rebuilt Old Trafford earlier in the year, but due to pandemic restrictions banning spectators, the club delayed the move, extending their stay in Cardiff by six months.
Whatever the circumstances, this final home fixture of the 2020–2021 season would serve as United's last game at the Millennium, and a title celebration would be the perfect farewell.
Last season, United also won the league, but due to pandemic restrictions, no on-field ceremony had taken place. Now, with fans finally allowed back, they would have their long-awaited moment of glory.
...
Having just played Chelsea in the FA Cup final three days earlier, Mourinho made several changes to the lineup.
Goalkeeper: David de Gea.
Defenders: Diogo Dalot, Victor Lindelöf, Axel Tuanzebe, and Luke Shaw.
Midfield: Fred, Jude Bellingham, and Bruno Fernandes.
Attack: Kylian Mbappé, Harry Kane, and Mason Greenwood.
Amid the cheers of 26,000 fans, the referee's whistle signaled kickoff.
Backed by their home crowd, United immediately took the initiative, attacking Fulham's goal with purpose.
They only needed a draw, but in front of their supporters, the Red Devils wanted to finish in style—with a victory worthy of champions.
In the sixth minute, Bruno lifted a perfect cross from the right, but Kane, jumping awkwardly, headed over.
Then, in the fifteenth minute, the deadlock was broken. David de Gea launched a long goal kick that Bruno flicked on to Harry Kane just past midfield. After two quick touches and a glance up, Kane unleashed a stunning long-range strike that floated over the goalkeeper and into the net!
The stadium erupted. More than 20,000 United fans roared with delight, the noise shaking the stands like a thunderclap.
In the 26th minute, United nearly doubled their lead. Kane passed centrally to Bruno, who combined with Bellingham for a slick one-two before smashing a powerful shot toward the top corner, only for Alphonse Areola to make a brilliant save.
Bruno buried his face in his hands in frustration, while the fans groaned collectively.
In the 43rd minute, Bruno had another chance—pouncing on a cleared corner, he rifled a shot through the crowd, only for Areola to deny him again.
At halftime, United led 1–0 thanks to Kane's world-class strike.
...
Early in the second half, United continued to control proceedings. In the 51st minute, Bellingham was brought down while dribbling through midfield, earning a yellow card for the defender. Bruno's resulting free kick curled just wide.
In the 57th minute, Bruno set up Greenwood, whose left-footed shot was blocked by defenders.
In the 65th, substitute Marcus Rashford drew a foul on the left wing after a flashy stepover. Bruno took the free kick himself—again Areola parried spectacularly.
Then, in the 74th minute, Kane threaded a brilliant through ball to Greenwood, who raced clear but was denied one-on-one by Areola once more.
United kept pushing, wave after wave, with Bruno, Kane, Mbappé, Greenwood, and Rashford all trying their luck—but none could find the breakthrough.
Their failure to seal the match came back to haunt them.
In the 75th minute, Fulham caught them off guard. A low cross from the right found left-back Joe Bryan, who nodded in the equalizer—1–1.
United protested offside, but VAR confirmed Luke Shaw had played Bryan level.
For the next twenty minutes, United pressed relentlessly again but couldn't find the net. Even the final four minutes of added time yielded no winner.
Full-time: 1–1.
A draw—but a historic one.
Manchester United were officially crowned 2020–2021 Premier League Champions, clinching the title with one game to spare.
...
"The match is over! It's over! 1–1! Manchester United draw with Fulham. The crowd may have wanted a win, but this result means only one thing—Manchester United are the 2020–2021 Premier League champions!" shouted the MUTV commentator.
"Five straight league titles! Mourinho has done it—he's now the first manager in 123 years of English top-flight football to win five consecutive championships! Congratulations to Mourinho, to Bruno Fernandes, Harry Kane, Marcus Rashford, Mason Greenwood, Kylian Mbappé, Fred, Bellingham, Luke Shaw, Lindelöf, Tuanzebe, Dalot, Maguire, Virgil van Dijk, N'Golo Kanté—congratulations to everyone at Manchester United! They've made history!"
In the center of the pitch, workers set up the stage for the post-match trophy ceremony. The players, ecstatic, were told to return to the dressing room to freshen up and change into their special edition championship kits.
When they reemerged moments later, the crowd exploded again in thunderous applause.
The ceremony proceeded smoothly.
Player after player received their winner's medals from Prince William, the Honorary President of the FA, who had stepped in to present the trophy following former chairman Greg Clarke's resignation.
"Congratulations," Prince William told Bruno Fernandes as he placed the medal around his neck. "Your team has truly shown greatness."
"Thank you, Your Highness," Bruno replied with a smile before taking the Premier League trophy from him.
As his teammates began the countdown—"Three! Two! One!"—Bruno lifted the silver trophy high into the Cardiff night sky.
Red confetti burst from above, fireworks blazed, and the Millennium Stadium turned into a sea of crimson.
The iconic Queen anthem We Are the Champions echoed through the stands, as fans across the stadium chanted in unison:
"We are the champions!"
"We are the champions!"
"We are the kings of England!"
The players danced, laughed, and took turns raising the trophy, posing for pictures, and kissing the gleaming silver cup that marked their fifth straight crown—officially sealing Manchester United's place in football immortality.
(END CHAPTER)
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