Chapter 75: Crisis of the Civilian Team
Although Manchester United launched many attacks in the remaining time of the first half, the Scottish Premier League champions, who have honed their defensive resilience through hard battles this season, held on to the score of 1-0!
During the half-time break, Gerrard sternly warned the Rangers players in the locker room that Manchester United would not accept this score and that they would launch a more high-pressure attack in the second half.
And since the second game is at Old Trafford, a one-goal lead is not enough. In the second half, we must take advantage of the opponent's full-scale pressure to counterattack and prepare for the away game!
At the start of the second half, neither side made any adjustments to their lineups, but the gap in ball possession kept widening.
Unlike Gerrard, who stood on the sidelines and reminded the players from time to time, Solskjaer always sat upright in the coaching seat with his hands crossed over his chest.
Apart from occasional conversations with his two assistant coaches, McKenna and Carrick, he watched the game silently the rest of the time, as if he was just a spectator who had bought a ticket.
But like Guardiola, he asked his assistant a question:
What do you think of Chen Xiaoliang?
Compared to Guardiola, who has been playing in midfield all his life, Solskjaer, as a striker, obviously does not have as much say as Carrick, who played as the main midfielder for Manchester United for 12 years.
In Carrick's own words, if he had Chen Xiaoliang's defensive ability back then, no one in England would probably remember Gerrard and Lampard.
However, the transfer matter has been handed over to football director Mutaf, and the current task is to win the game.
On this point, the Norwegian, who is occasionally called "Sorhai" by fans after a loss, maintained his usual confidence and believed that his boys could turn the tables and win.
On the field, Manchester United had been attacking Rangers for five minutes since the start of the second half.
The dense defense in the middle and Chen Xiaoliang's large coverage area made Luke Shaw on the left and B Fee on the right the starting points of the attack.
The two made several consecutive crosses, but neither Cavani nor Rashford could gain any advantage in the Rangers penalty area which was full of giants.
However, if anyone thinks that Manchester United will be helpless, they are wrong.
Although Manchester United lags behind Manchester City by more than 10 points in the league, in this season's Premier League BIG6 mini-cycle, Manchester United is the highest-scoring team.
Often in difficult situations, they can inspire fighting spirit.
Pogba, who was lagging behind, became the team's metronome. Under the support and protection of McTominay, he wandered between the penalty area line and the center circle, controlling the team's offensive direction with side passes and long passes, and also affecting the Rangers' defensive density by moving forward and backward.
At the same time, it also ensures that when there is no opportunity to attack, the teammates in front always have a point to pass the ball back and organize the attack again.
After a few loud but ineffective crosses from the wing, Greenwood, who switched positions with B Fee, became active.
The 20-year-old Englishman became a regular starter for Manchester United last season.
He is Manchester United's youngest starting player in the Premier League and the team's youngest European goalscorer.
Manchester United's previous head coaches, whether it was Van Gaal, Mourinho or now Solskjaer, all thought he was a genius.
Including Greenwood, the Manchester United players did not take the game too seriously at first, but Rangers' tenacious performance in the first half made them realize that the opponent was not a weak team.
Facing Morelos, Hagi and Kent who were constantly trying to steal the ball, Pogba continued to pass the ball back and forth, ensuring that all of Rangers' attempts to steal the ball were in vain.
After several waves of attacks, the three forwards of the Rangers began to slow down the pace and adjust their physical energy consumption.
At this moment, Pogba started to dribble the ball forward!
Aribo, who had been standing at the back and keeping a fixed distance from Pogba, immediately stepped forward to block.
Pogba passes to B Fee!
B Fee retreated two steps and saw Chen Xiaoliang behind him!
He passed the ball to the right and passed it to Wan Bissaka!
Old Davis is not in a hurry to steal the ball. His task is to prevent Wan Bissaka from breaking through. If he wants to cross the ball, let him cross it.
This guy's high crosses are almost threatless and often go out of bounds.
Wan Bissaka took a few steps and passed the ball back to B Fee, then he rushed into the penalty area and took Barisic away!
When facing old Davis, B Fee didn't take him seriously at all and broke through directly!
Old Davis tries his best to block the position! Bruno Fernandes' cross can't be put in casually!
Unexpectedly, B Fee just stepped on the ball with his right foot, moved with his left foot, and changed direction to pass Davis cleanly!
Chen Xiaoliang stepped forward to block!
B Fee passed the ball to Greenwood who switched positions with him in the middle!
Goldson filled in the defensive position, and the Englishman adjusted one step and cut inside to shoot!
Goldson's long legs didn't even have time to stretch out!
The ball flew to the upper left corner of the goal!
McGregor jumped up to save the ball but missed it!
The ball hit the crossbar and bounced out of the bottom line!
The Manchester United bench and fans expressed regret!
Rangers fans encouraged the team by clapping!
Three minutes later, Manchester United made a comeback!
This time, Rashford switched to the right!
Pogba made a long diagonal pass and lofted the ball into the right penalty area.
The ball landed right in front of Rashford!
Barisic tried his best to follow, but facing the frequent position changes in Manchester United's attacking line, he and old Davis were really overwhelmed!
Rashford dribbled the ball quickly in the face of Goldson's defense! He looked up at Bruno Fernandes on the penalty area line! He made an inverted triangle!
Goldson subconsciously moved a step to the right!
At this step, Rashford instantly started rushing towards the baseline!
Goldson was completely thrown off!
Just as Rashford faced the goalkeeper at a small angle, Holland rushed over!
He blocked Rashford!
Rashford kicked the ball across the middle ! It looked like a pass or a shot!
Holland didn't dare to kick blindly. If the ball was accidentally refracted at this position, it would most likely be an own goal!
He could only lie down and use his body to block it!
However, the ball was passed before he fell !
Cavani shovels shot in the small penalty area!
Seeing that the two central defenders were out of position, Chen Xiaoliang retreated and shoveled the ball out of the baseline before Cavani!
Manchester United corner kick!
Zhan Jun: "Thank you, Coach. Since the second half, the Rangers' goal has been in a state of panic. They haven't launched an effective attack that can get into the opponent's penalty area. What do you think?"
Xie Hui: “I believe Gerrard will definitely predict that Manchester United will counterattack in the second half, and now Rangers’ physical strength is not enough to press as frequently as in the first half. Moreover, with Manchester United’s current ball possession ability, Rangers’ pressing effect is also very limited, and it is easy to lose position and create offensive opportunities for the opponent.
Now we can only withstand Manchester United's three attacks, wait for Manchester United to get impatient, and see if we can make a breakthrough with a quick counterattack."
Zhang Lu: "I think it's suspenseful. A lot of Rangers' goals have been said this season. The current starting lineup is the best player Gerrard can send. And if it weren't for Chen Xiaoliang's performance today, this game would have lost its suspense long ago.
With a long shot in the first half and Cavani's just now, we could have scored at least two goals.
And if you look at Manchester United's bench, there are many people who can be replaced, such as Matic, Fred, Telles, etc. Any one of these people will be the absolute main force if he goes to Rangers.
The difference between the two teams’ lineups is really huge. The coaches have completely different cards to play. This is the biggest difference between a strong team and an average team.”
