The legendary Red Devils coach: The road to success

Chapter 105 Sudden Cleansing

The FA Cup elimination was a key turning point, which meant that all of Ferguson's team's championship goals this season were shattered. Even more serious than this was the fact that the core of the team, Strachan, completely broke with Ferguson and was ruthlessly cleaned out to Leeds United.

--Inscription

After playing Villa, it was time for the seventh round of the FA Cup, which was also the quarter-finals of the FA Cup, where the Red Devils faced Nottingham Forest at home.

The FA Cup has finally begun, with the giants finally facing off against each other. The Red Devils are a declining old giant, and the Forest team is also a old giant that has lost its glory to some extent. They have both won the FA Cup. The two teams' FA Cup clash always attracts media attention and is always eagerly anticipated by fans. The tickets for this game were snapped up early, and more than 5 fans flocked to Old Trafford to cheer. Compared with the usual attendance rate of less than people, the contrast is too obvious.

Such a warm home atmosphere, to some extent, also reflects the fans' eager anticipation for the Red Devils to win the FA Cup.

Compared to the Red Devils fans, the media was more concerned about their rival Nottingham Forest. After all, it was one of the strongest teams in England at the time. Under the leadership of the famous coach Clough, this purely English-style team was very powerful when it performed well. It not only won the English League One championship, but also miraculously achieved two consecutive Champions League titles, making a great reputation.

Ferguson paid great attention to the opponent and sent all the main players to the field. Goalkeeper Leighton, the back four were Bearsmore, Bruce, McGrath and Donaghy, midfielders were Lee Sharp, Robson, Strachan and Milne, and forwards were McClair and Hughes. At the beginning of the game, the Red Devils had the upper hand. Lee Sharp broke through the opponent's interception several times on the left and crossed near the opponent's baseline, which did create a threat, but Hughes and McClair both missed the chance in front of the goal. Robson also had a strong presence in the midfield and frontcourt. He controlled the rhythm and accelerated the advancement very well. He also tried to shoot from the top of the penalty area, which put great pressure on the opponent. Hughes and McClair were cooperating better and better, and they were a great threat to the opponent's goal. Hughes missed a great opportunity to score a header near the small penalty area, and McClair also wasted a shot that was close to a single shot in front of the goal. When the Red Devils attacked fiercely, Robson did not seize the opportunity. His long-range shot was either too straight, hit the air, or was blocked by the opponent's defender.

The Red Devils' defense soon paid the price for their eagerness to attack despite having an advantage but failing to break the deadlock. Nottingham Forest's counterattacks took advantage of their speed and frequently threatened the Red Devils' goal. After several counterattacks, Nottingham Forest simply changed to a more direct style of play, which was to pass the ball directly from the backcourt to the frontcourt, and then the forwards would go to the first point to attack. This strategy quickly took effect. The Red Devils' midfield and back line were too advanced, and the opponent's high ball bombing tactics were their nemesis. The Red Devils were in chaos and their defense was quickly torn apart by the opponent. In the 63rd minute, Forest's Peterson made a cross from the left, and there was chaos in the Manchester United penalty area. Clough Jr. rushed to the front of the goal and headed the ball into the dead corner. Manchester United goalkeeper Leighton flew all his body and could not save it, and the goal was immediately lost.

Nottingham Forest leads 1-0.

The Red Devils were unwilling to lose in the next 30 minutes and launched a wave of fierce attacks. In the 67th minute, McClair made a shot in front of the Forest team's goal, but unfortunately the shot was not strong enough; in the 73rd minute, Manchester United took a corner kick, but Bruce's header did not hit the target; in the 79th minute, Manchester United made a straight pass in the middle, but Hughes had no chance to get a shot due to the entanglement of the opponent's defender. In the 83rd minute, Manchester United made consecutive crosses, but whether it was a cross to the front of the goal to grab a point, or a back point to connect the transition, or falling to about 10 yards in front of the goal to create chaos, it did not ultimately shake the Forest team's defense. In the last few minutes of the game, Bruce and McGrath also rushed to the Forest team's penalty area to grab a header opportunity, but in the end they returned without success and could only accept the result of losing 0-1, and unfortunately eliminated from the FA Cup.

The Red Devils fans who came to watch the game were extremely disappointed. They had always thought that the team could defeat their opponents and had been singing and cheering for the team. Even when they were falling behind, they still did not give up hope, but they ended up with a defeat.

After the game, these fans could only leave in pain.

This match was a big blow to Ferguson. He sent out all the main players and formulated targeted tactics. The players also followed his requirements, but he did not expect to lose so easily. With the advantage on the field, the team was full of expectations for promotion. They had easily defeated their opponents in the previous league, but now they were ruthlessly eliminated by their opponents.

The comments of the Manchester Evening News were particularly harsh. "The Red Devils should not dream of winning the cup. Just like in the league, the Red Devils are still far from being strong enough. The Red Devils' lineup this season is too thin, and Ferguson's tactics are too radical and risky. Red Devils fans should wake up sooner rather than later!"

The BBC was equally blunt, "The Red Devils have been very unstable this season, having been eliminated early from the League Cup and now the FA Cup. Ferguson made big mistakes in team building and was too aggressive in tactics. The team's continuity and stability are not guaranteed, and there is absolutely no question of their ability to challenge for the championship."

Nottingham Forest was in good form at the time and was about to win the League Cup, so it was no surprise that they beat the Red Devils. But the result of this game was the beginning of a sharp turn for the worse for the Red Devils. Their hopes in the cup were shattered by Nottingham Forest, and the subsequent league was also hit hard.

After losing to Forest in the FA Cup, Ferguson was criticized by the opposing manager Clough.

Clough said: "Results speak louder than words in the arena. I know Ferguson is ambitious and I know he is determined to make progress, but from my point of view, he has not made any progress in the past two seasons with Manchester United. Not to mention progress, I think this season is worse than last season."

Ferguson felt wronged, but he also knew that Clough's previous statement was absolutely correct. Even if we don't consider the opponent's psychological warfare, Clough led the Forest team, which was far from a team of superstars, to win two European Cup titles, so he was qualified to criticize anyone.

After being defeated by Forest in the league, Ferguson could not control his emotions. He started the hair dryer in the meeting room of the base and sprayed everyone with it continuously.

Ferguson said, "McClair, I think you are really useless! You can't run at all? Why didn't you go for the ball when you had a 50-50 chance? Are you just a striker waiting to be fed the ball?!"

Ferguson was even more furious at Bruce. "Steve, you are such a wooden man. It's no use just standing there to defend! You are so motionless like a dead man. You watch your opponent score a goal and still applaud him? You even give your opponent flowers? Fuck you!"

Strachan didn't play well in this match, and Ferguson was even more rude, "How are you playing, Strachan?! Why didn't you go to the side when Lee Sharpe attacked from the wing? And why didn't you cut into that position when Robson passed the ball through the middle? Have you lost your mind to play football? Who are you trying to fool?!"

Strachan was furious on the spot. "Boss, you make it sound easy. I have tried my best in the competition. I also want to win, I also want to fight one hundred people alone, and I also want to break through the level alone, but that is impossible! It's not that I don't try my best, and I don't run, but you can't blame me for losing!"

Ferguson didn't expect to be contradicted. His eyes were about to spit fire. "What the hell are you talking about? You called that hard work? How many steps did you run in the whole game? How many chances did you create? How many passes did you make? You call this hard work, shouldn't they call this desperate work?!"

"Get out of here!"

Ferguson was extremely angry, and this match made him more determined to get rid of Strachan.

Strachan had problems throughout the season, his performance declined extremely, and Ferguson was really fed up. Strachan, who was born in February 1957, is now over 2 years old, and his career has indeed entered a new stage. Ferguson actually didn't get along well with Strachan, and they had conflicts during the Aberdeen period. Although they reunited at Manchester United, in fact, both sides just worked with a professional attitude. For Ferguson, his plan to rebuild the new Manchester United did not reject Strachan, just like Robson, but whether Ferguson could recognize it was another question. After joining Manchester United at the end of 32, Ferguson's three fires were set on fire, and Strachan cooperated well. Moreover, Strachan himself was not an alcoholic, and there was no big conflict with Ferguson.

When Ferguson led Manchester United to a new journey last season, Strachan shined at the end of the season, which once inspired Ferguson to have more ideas. After all, Ferguson realized his dream with Strachan in the Scottish Premier League, and it is not impossible to replicate it in Manchester United.

Ferguson's expectations were almost dashed at the start of this season. Strachan was injured at the start of the season, and then returned on and off, never fully recovered, and was completely different from the excellent form of last season.

Considering that Strachan is already 32 years old, his form is so poor and his performance has dropped drastically, Ferguson feels it is impossible to rely on Strachan to rebuild the team.

The conflict after the game made Ferguson immediately decide to abandon Strachan.

The media quickly reported the news, and the news of "Manchester United locker room strife, and the generals and the coach are not in harmony" spread everywhere. Strachan was extremely angry after the quarrel with Ferguson, and he no longer wanted to stay and fight with Ferguson.

A transfer that was supposed to be impossible quickly began to be planned and implemented. Less than two days after the news was released, Ron Atkinson, the coach of Sheffield Wednesday, came to buy Strachan and offered a price of 20 pounds.

Ferguson did not agree because he had promised Howard Wilkinson, then manager of Leeds United, that he would inform him if Strachan was available for sale. Ferguson called Wilkinson and asked for a transfer fee of £30. Leeds United was so happy to hear the news that they agreed very readily.

When Strachan joined Leeds United, the team was still playing in the English League Two. He made his debut for Leeds United this weekend and won the cheers of the fans.

After Strachan played for Leeds United, he quickly won the core position and soon led Leeds United to a further step. At the end of the season, Leeds United won the English League Two championship and was successfully promoted to the First Division.

Strachan received a congratulatory letter from Ferguson, who was very pleased that his performance at Leeds United was recognized by more people.

Ferguson's decision to sell Strachan sparked controversy and drew sharp criticism. "People said he made a stupid decision," Strachan recalled. "But he was right. He took responsibility for his decision. I felt very bad that season. I was out of form and played poorly. Ferguson sold me quickly and got £30. It was probably the right decision for him and for the Red Devils."

"Even I didn't expect that I would regain my form at Leeds United, and I didn't expect that I would be reborn here playing in a different position."

Ferguson originally wanted to buy Trevor Stephen from Everton, who he thought was an ideal replacement. However, the Manchester United board did not agree at first, and when Ferguson finally opened the door to buy him after many operations, he encountered a high offer from Everton.

Ferguson regretted that the transfer was not completed and Stephen ended up joining Glasgow Rangers. Ferguson's Red Devils' salary was not competitive and the transfer offer was not as high as Rangers.