Chapter 193 The opponent that must be conquered
Manchester United lost to Leeds United at the top of the League One at home, and the FA Cup was suspended as soon as it appeared, replacing Liverpool being tied by Reading the day before, becoming the biggest surprise in the third round of the FA Cup.
Unpopular, it is more about the psychological contrast caused by the league level gap between the two companies. People who pay attention to Manchester United this season should know that Manchester United's loss is not wrong. This season, the Red Devils have repeatedly escaped from disadvantages and adversity, covering up a lot of defects. Hong Fu Qitian is like Lord Fu, and there are also times when he has no luck to take care of him. The excessive rotation force, poor performance in the secondary election and the delay in playing cards on the spot have caused the tragedy of Manchester United.
Before the game, the media praised Ferguson's repeated achievements in hundreds of rotations, which seemed ironic afterwards. Ferguson made 7 changes to the lineup of the victory over Wigan, changing the midfield, leaving only Brown in the defense, and rotating too far, which is the main reason for the passive scene. Although Leeds is in League One, in the unpopular hotbed FA Cup, the league level is not the reason for the law of the jungle. What's more, the hatred between red and white roses for decades is deep, and Leeds, who is in a strong state, is away from the main, which is beyond Manchester United's expectations. Ferguson's compliment to the opponent's coach before the game did not overwhelm the opponent as before, but inspired Leeds to work hard.
Manchester United has a heavy task in the game, and the injured soldiers are gradually returning to the team. There will be a semi-final derby of the League Cup in the middle of the week. Rotation is inevitable, but Carrick and Fletcher are removed at the same time, which obviously underestimates Leeds' midfield ability. Anderson and Gibson are not inferior as hitters, but they are not as good as Carrick and Fletcher. Manchester United made too many mistakes in passing the ball in the front court, which is largely the result of the poor delivery of the two. At the end of the game, Ferguson replaced Anderson and blindly increased his troops to the front line. In fact, he was still afraid of the game against Manchester City. On the surface, the goal was lost by Kushchatk's rash attack. He abandoned the goal when a defender chased the opponent's single-knife player, but the source was passed and broke the cable in the front court of Manchester United. Leeds got the ball and immediately made a long pass behind the defense line, and Beckford's wonderful shot to establish the victory. Neville started for the first time in a month, and the other side quickly counterattacked and found this weakness.
Rotation has become a common phenomenon in football. With the status of Manchester United, it is necessary to have a large lineup to cope with four fronts. Rotation is a way to make the main force breathe. If the deputy election can't pay his homework, it will not only affect the progress of rotation, but also affect the rest of the main force. Anderson, Gibson, Obertan and Welbeck have played well in different games, but most of the time they start, and there is still a big gap between their level and expectations. In many games, non-giggs and other veterans can't stabilize the situation.
Gibson had a beautiful long-range shot against West Ham United and eliminated Tottenham in the League Cup. He used two long-range goals to persuade Ferguson to continue to give him a chance. However, through the two defeats of Aston Villa and Fulham, people found that he had too much to learn. When his predecessor Keane joined Manchester United at this age, he immediately Just seize the opportunity of Robson's injury and become a Manchester United midfield engine. Welbeck's development trajectory is the same as that of Gibson, and he is quite amateur at the moment when he needs to perform. Obertan's appearance is very good, but he still hasn't found a way to integrate into the overall style of play.
Manchester United lost the ball in the 19th minute, but Ferguson delayed the change for nearly 60 minutes. It was too late. After replacing Giggs, Valencia and Owen, Manchester United's offensive has doubled, but Leeds has stabilized its position and adapted to the rhythm of Manchester United. If they are replaced at half-time, Manchester United will at least have more time to fight back.
According to Manchester United's official website, the first leg of the League Cup semi-finals will be postponed to January 19 (Tuesday), and the second round will be postponed to January 27 (Wednesday); while Arsenal's home against Bolton's make-up match, the new match date has not yet been determined. This also means that the league between Manchester United and Hull City, which was originally scheduled for January 26, will also be postponed. However, this is very beneficial to Manchester United. First of all, Manchester United will have an eight-day truce before the second round of the League Cup semi-finals, while Manchester City will have to challenge Skenthorpe away in the fourth round of the FA Cup on the 24th. In 72 hours, Mancini's team will go away to challenge Manchester United. Even if Manchester City wins the first round, there is no guarantee that the Red Devils who are waiting for work will not turn around with the help of a favorable schedule.
And if the derby battle with Manchester City goes on as usual early this morning, Manchester United will nibble on Birmingham on Saturday. If the Lord sends the semi-main force or the youth army to fight in the derby war, I'm afraid it will be difficult to stop Manchester City, which is extremely fierce after the change of coach. What's more, Manchester City is still fighting at home. If you lose to Manchester City after losing to Leeds United, once you lose twice in a row, it will be a heavy blow to the morale of the Red Devils. If Manchester United sends all the main players to challenge Manchester City, it will inevitably affect their away challenge to Birmingham's Premier League in two and a half days. After all, Birmingham has 7 wins and 4 draws in the last 11 rounds of the Premier League, with an impressive record. Once they can't win Birmingham, the Red Devils may be further scored by Chelsea. The Blues challenge Hull City with limited strength in this round, and it is not difficult to get 3 points. Therefore, the heavy snow in the northwest of England can be said to relieve Manchester United and the Lord at the right time.
At this time, an Italian unexpectedly opened the chat.
Mancini had a good start after entering Manchester City, which gave him the pride of guiding the country. A few days ago, he talked about the decline of Manchester United this season, saying that the Red Devils' release of two key players is the main reason.
The first leg of the League Cup semi-final between Manchester City and Manchester United was postponed to January 19 due to heavy snow this Wednesday. Mancini can relax a little. He pointed out that the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo and Tevez is a huge loss for any team, and Manchester United is also paying the price.
"Tevis and Cristiano Ronaldo are two top players," Mancini said. "When a team loses two people like this, they may lose something, which is normal."
"In my opinion, Tevez is one of the top ten players in Europe, and the top players are naturally expensive."
Mancini's words seemed to be for Ferguson. At the beginning, Manchester United were hesitant about whether to buy Tevez at a high price and did not express their attitude, which annoyed the Argentines. At the last moment, when the Red Devils agreed to pay the buyout amount, Tevez was determined to leave the team, which made Manchester City pick up a big bargain. So far this season, Tevez has become a sharp weapon for Manchester City to attack the city. He has scored 9 goals in the league, but Manchester United has never found Rooney's ideal partner. It is hard to say that the performance of Berbatov and Owen is completely satisfactory.
Mancini expressed regret when it came to the postponement of the match with Manchester United due to heavy snow. Everyone is very sorry about the postponement, but we have encountered rare weather conditions. Although we have made every effort to make the turf situation on the court bear the game, we need to consider the safety of the fans' travel, especially in the case of a cold weather warning on Wednesday night. In the end, those who participated in the discussion thought that the game was too dangerous as usual.
"I have great respect for Ferguson because he has won so many trophies, but we want to beat him. We don't play to make him feel good."
There is a banner on the Streford Stand in Old Trafford, which remembers how many years Manchester City has been since Manchester City won a championship last time. The current number is 33 to 34 years, which is a mockery of the opponents in the same city, but Mancini said that Manchester City will soon tear off the banner, and Manchester United's rule will come to an end.
"When we go to Old Trafford, we will take down the banner!" This is the last year it hangs there. It must be.
"All the fans think about the derby, but the big club's idea is big. They think about the trophy. The semi-final of the League Cup is very important. If we win, we can go to Wembley. We are considering the trophy and the Premier League."
When Li Yu was asked by the media about her views on the head coach of the sworn enemy in the same city, she said: "The strong don't need to say anything more at all. Only the weak can chatter!"
The media published this passage in the sports headlines. Everyone knows who is the strong and who is the weak.
But to everyone's surprise, this matter is a beginning and an end, and the two parties never stand up and express anything to the media.
Li Yu stood up to speak for Manchester United and won the support of all Manchester United fans. This is Manchester United's star, domineering and confident!
In fact, this is also a snowy Britain. When there is no competition, the media deliberately created some gimmicks.
In the recent round of the league, almost all games have to be postponed because of the weather.
However, Manchester United received news from Birmingham on the first day that Manchester United's away game against Birmingham can be played as scheduled.
This away trip to Manchester United is a little hasty. In addition to Manchester United, only Arsenal's game against Everton can be played normally.
On the day of the game, the sky in Birmingham was already covered with snowflakes, but compared with other places, such snowfall seemed insignificant. There was no snow on Birmingham's home stadium, St. Andrews.
Although there is no snow, it is sure to be slippery. When Manchester United players are in the locker room, they have been asked to replace the long nail players that the club has already arranged for field training.
In this game, Manchester United's formation had another huge game, 4-5-1!
That 1 is Li Yu!
Li Yu, who has returned to the front line, will take on the heavy responsibility of attacking Manchester United.
The last time Birmingham beat Manchester United was on November 11, 1978, when the Red Devils lost 1-5 away. However, in the 22 games in the past 32 years, Manchester United has been unbeaten with 16 wins and 6 draws. The two sides have played 11 games in the Premier League history, and Manchester United has a clear advantage of 9 wins and 2 draws. The two sides have played 99 games in history, with Manchester United with 47 wins, 27 draws and 25 losses. Ferguson rotated seven people, and Brown continued to partner with Evans as a central defender. Rafale, Valencia, Park Ji-sung, Carrick, Fletcher, Scholes and Evra started.
Many games in this round were postponed due to the weather, but the game was held as scheduled, and the local temperature in Birmingham was only minus 2 degrees.
In such a cold weather, the players are covered tightly one by one, especially the players on the bench. They wear cold-proof clothes, and they have to wear one on their legs, which is wrapped tightly.
The players on the field are much thinner. Many players wear neck protectors to keep warm. Li Yu can't help moving her body while waiting for the opening whistle.
With a whistle, the game began. In the 3rd minute, Valencia made a corner kick, and Evans' header was blocked by Richville. Then Valencia's return from the right side of the penalty area was blocked, and Fletcher's shot from 12 yards on the right side of the penalty area was blocked by Barry Ferguson.
A few consecutive shots, although there is no direct participation of Li Yu, the role played by Manchester United No. 9 is obvious to all. Birmingham's defensive attention is all attracted by Li Yu, which gives the midfielders more space and opportunities.
In fact, with the importance that Premier League teams attach importance to Li Yu's threat in attack, what Li Yu wants to face is not a player's defense. In many cases, two or even three players participate in the defense. It is still very difficult for Li Yu to score a goal. Li Yu must keep moving to find an empty opportunity. Will. Otherwise, it is not easy to find opportunities in the dense targeting of defensive players.
Li Yu is also used to this differentiated treatment. Whether it is a strong team or a weak team, it is surprisingly consistent in dealing with Li Yu.
Manchester United No. 9 is constantly running, looking for opportunities.
In the fifteenth minute, Manchester United got a corner kick, which was their second corner kick in the game. Li Yu's judgment on the landing point is recognized as the first in Manchester United. When other players take the corner kick, if they target a certain point or player, there will always be some hints, whether it is eyes or movements, there will be more or less.
However, Manchester United's corner kick has no similar action at all. Birmingham players, guess!
When Valencia set up the football, retreated and prepared for the free throw. Li Yu still stayed in the encirclement honestly.
But when Valencia began to run, Li Yu also moved. He first made a sprint to go forward, which made Birmingham's defenders mistakenly think that he was going to grab the front point and follow him forward. In this way, flaws and gaps appeared in the originally besieged encirclement.
Li Yu suddenly braked and ran back on one side, successfully getting out of the encirclement.
Then he moved backwards.
At the same time, the football also flew over.
When getting rid of the encirclement, Li Yu had already judged the landing point of the football.
The radian of the football is very high, but the speed is not slow, and it soon falls down.
Li Yu jumped up in the process of running backwards and faced the football head-on.
At this time, there was no Birmingham defensive player beside him. They were all fooled by Manchester United's No. 9 fake move. When they reacted, they turned around and saw Li Yuteng's figure in the air.
Li Yu in the air spread her arms to maintain balance, and then exerted strength in her waist and abdomen, leaning her head forward. At first glance, it was a powerful header to attack the goal!
Just when everyone's heart was hung in their throats, Birmingham goalkeeper Hart appeared in the right position, and the goalkeeper blocked the football almost on the goal line with his legs.
There was a huge gas outing sound from the stands.
It's all over...
The terrified Birmingham fans soon saw that Scholes in the crowd would be swept away by Hart's bounced football.
The ball is scored!
The football flew into the net!
It seems so easy to score!
GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAL! The veteran Scholes's goal, the veteran Manchester United player should really thank Li Yu for the header just now. In fact, the header should have been scored, but now it's just changed the name of the goal scorer. I believe that at least half of the cheers of Manchester United fans at this time are given to Manchester United No. 9!"
"Manchester United took a goal lead away from home, which is definitely a good first half that can't be better!"
All opponents know that letting Manchester United lead means that the opponent has to be more careful!
Birmingham has no other way. Losing one is also losing, and losing a few is also losing. It's better to attack one!
Birmingham, which came in very strong, then launched a fierce attack. Originally, such slippery field conditions were more suitable for a weak team with relatively weak technology and strong body.
No one expected that in such a cold weather, the players of the two teams not only did not heat up slowly, but also played hotly for a while. The scene was also good.
After the header, Li Yu was more closely targeted by his opponents. He clearly heard the words of the Birmingham head coach who loudly scolded the defense players. Except for Wenger, there are few Premier League coaches who will not scold the street!
Manchester United almost broke the deadlock again in the 24th minute. Valencia picked a pass to the right side of the penalty area. Li Yuxiao, who succeeded in offside, made a single shot in the upper right corner of the penalty area and was blocked by Joe Hart.
Li Yu didn't score a single goal. Counting the header just now, it was the second goal. It was all successfully saved by Hart. Li Yu couldn't help but look at the same young Birmingham goalkeeper in front of her.
He also knew that the young man's team should be Manchester City, and Birmingham was only on loan. Looking at the excitement after Hart's successful save, Li Yu was determined to break the goal.
This is actually a psychological problem. When you pay enough attention to a player, if you can't establish your confidence for the first time, there will be some shadows when you face to face again in the future, especially the relationship between the goalkeeper and the striker. If you have the idea of scoring a goal, you must do it. Don't let The opponent has confidence.
In the 31st minute, McFadden fouled Scholes in front of the penalty area. Valencia's free kick shot at 25 yards was blocked, and Li Yu's follow-up shot was also blocked.
Manchester United No. 9 has a strong desire to shoot today, which is what everyone thinks. Although there is no goal, Ferguson still applauded and affirms Li Yu.
And the old man also believes that it is not the old Scottish old man who blindly believes in his players, but the desire to score goals shown by Li Yu that he can score goals in a row like this in succession...