I am the king of football

Chapter 359 The last step

The storm of the Champions League has temporarily dissipated. Before the next draw, the Manchester United team can finally focus their main attention on major domestic cup competitions and leagues again.

In the new week, in the 30th round of the league, Manchester United will face the challenge of the second-to-last team Reading at their home ground. The team's performance this season has been far from the Premier League level, and it has been in the second-to-last position in the league for several consecutive rounds.

In addition, after the end of this league game, what is more important for the Red Devils is the second round of the League Cup semi-final against Swansea at home.

Since Manchester United B lost 0-2 to their opponent at home in the first leg, this directly led to the fact that if Manchester United wanted to make progress in the League Cup, they had to do their best to score at least two goals away from home.

In this way, the team's arrangement is very clear. After the battle with the Galacticos, Ferguson had low requirements for the team's training intensity and quality, but this was not enough to allow the main players to get enough rest. Therefore, when the new week Friday arrived, Manchester United still made a major rotation.

Almost all the players who started in the Champions League did not appear in the roster. Qin Hu, Van Persie and others wore suits and sat in their own stadium stands to watch the game.

Hernandez, who made the penalty kick in the last appearance of the Champions League knockout round, once again served as the team's starting striker. His partner was Rooney who finally recovered his form. He did not contribute much in the second round of the Champions League knockout round and was called to Ferguson's office after the game and scolded.

You have to know that when Rooney just debuted, Ferguson believed that he was the future leader of the team. However, after the era of Cristiano Ronaldo, Rooney has always been tepid. If you say he is not good, he is unique in the Premier League. If you say he is good, he is addicted to alcohol and sex all day long and his state is intermittent. He is not a superstar at all.

If Ferguson treated Cristiano Ronaldo and Qin Hu as his own disciples and gave them attention and training, then Rooney is a bit like Ferguson's useless son. No matter whether you are good or bad, you have a place in the team as long as I am here. But you, my rebellious son, always cause trouble for me. Who else should I scold if not you!

After this scolding, Rooney said on the spot that he would change his ways and not drink this season. He is in good condition for the next games, so please rest assured, boss.

What else can Ferguson say? He knows his disciple very well. He can only say that he hopes he can last for a month.

But as far as this league is concerned, Rooney really did it. After not drinking for a week and trying his best on the training ground, Rooney performed a hat trick again in the Premier League after many days. He helped the team change the score to 3-0 in the 451th minute of the game, and the Reading team, which was lined up in a bus formation, was left alone.

As for the Little Pea, although he did not score any goals as a shadow striker, he also provided two assists. Compared with Rooney's ups and downs, this super substitute performed quite stably.

After the game, Zhan Jun also had to express his feelings.

"Some teams can conquer the world with just one starting line-up, but Manchester United can even arrange three starting lines, and each line-up can play well against mid- and lower-level teams. This is really enviable."

A giant club is a giant club, and this is the most direct difference. If it is a team with a weak bench, because the league has reached the final stage, in order to prevent losing points or not getting the points that should be got, the forwards who have experienced big battles before still have to play, which is bound to affect the team's competitiveness on other fronts.

After seeing off the defeated Reading team, Manchester United did not take a holiday. After continuing training for a day, they gathered again in their own conference room to select the starting lineup for the League Cup semi-final in Swansea, Wales.

"Qin and Robin as double forwards, Nani and Valencia as two wingers, Shinji Kagawa and Carrick as midfielders, Butner, Phil Jones, Maguire and Evra as defenders, and De Gea as goalkeeper." The team's starting lineup was announced in one go. Ferguson's arrangement included both a strong core on the central axis and rotation of players in various positions. In a word, the starting lineup was finalized after considering many factors.

"We are already 0-2 behind in the first leg, so the tactic for tomorrow's game is very simple, that is to move forward!"

Looking at the tactical board, what is more important than the starting lineup is the team's playing style in tomorrow's game. Ferguson does not want the team to fail on the road to the finals. Any team that reaches the semi-finals has a very high sunk cost. Not going to see the scenery of the finals would be a shame for the team's season of battle.

"Qin Hu and Robin's parallel positioning directly entangles the opponent's central defender and defensive midfielder. Nani, Valencia, the two of you should continue to split up and create opportunities, either by attracting the defense's attention or by directly passing the ball from the bottom. Make sure the opponent has to pay attention to the defense on both sides."

"Understood, Boss!"

The four people who were called all responded to Ferguson loudly. In this game that started with a 0-2 deficit, their performance would be the key to whether the team could successfully advance. As the best players in their respective positions, they had the obligation and responsibility to help the team.

"In the midfield, Kagawa and Carrick, in addition to assisting in passing the ball, you are also responsible for being the first line of defense for the team's quick counterattacks. Don't give the opponent the opportunity to successfully defend and counterattack like we did in the first round!"

"understand!"

"As for the defense, I don't think I need to say much about what you need to do. You don't need to get involved in the offense too much. You must defend the opponent's offense no matter what. We can't continue to lose even one goal."

"Know the BOSS!"

Ferguson carefully conveyed the tactics of the game to the players present. He looked serious and paused after finishing his words before continuing.

"There are only a few games left in this season's League Cup. I'm sure you all know why we haven't given up any competition along the way, so cheer up. Hopefully, after tomorrow's game, we can start preparing for the final, which will be our first championship of the season!!!"

"Roger that!"

Champion, this word once again appeared in the ears of Manchester United players, but unlike previous goals, this time a real championship trophy is about to be born. It is self-evident why they came to a giant club like the Red Devils. No one wants to fail at the last step into the final.

"Disband now. We will leave the base in two hours."

With a wave of his hand, the players on the roster quickly returned home to pack their luggage.

The first chapter is here! Thank you for your support!!
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(End of this chapter)