host must win

Chapter 263 A Good Start in 2004
Manchester United's first game after entering 2004 was an away game against Aston Villa in the third round of the FA Cup.

Before the game, Manchester United had both joys and sorrows. The worry was that Phil Neville and Rio Ferdinand were injured. The joy was that O'Shea and Brown both came back, which gave Ferguson the opportunity to examine other defense configurations.

Manchester United gave way to the starting line-up. Ferguson focused on the January 1 away game against Bolton, and put away Yin Jun, Ruud van Nistelrooy and Keane's three trump cards.

Villa were aggressive in the first 20 minutes of the game, as they have started most of their home games this season, but their chronic problem of not being good at seizing opportunities in front of goal has not improved. It was not until Fortune shoveled Whittingham's kick into the air that Barry took the ball and approached the Manchester United fortress under the signal of the referee to "continue favorably". Howard was on Brown's lap, and Howard was at the front. He didn't expect to lose the ball for the first time when he cooperated with Brown.

Manchester United did not organize their first effective offensive until the 26th minute. Giggs' corner kick found O'Shea, and O'Shea's shot was blocked by Sorensen on the lintel. When Sylvester accidentally found When the ball returned to his feet, he hurriedly kicked and was blocked by Sorensen again.

Since then, Villa's offensive has eased, and Manchester United has gradually returned to normal, but the absence of Ruud van Nistelrooy and Yin Jun is still the main reason why they cannot contain Villa. Forlan, who started the game, still has no direction.But fortunately, Villa's performance was not much better. They did not take advantage of Manchester United's downturn to directly kill Manchester United.

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If you can't quickly put Manchester United to death in the first place, then you will definitely pay a heavy price for it, especially when Yin Jun is on the line.

Not long into the second half, Villa lost midfielder Hendry. His mouth was swept by Fortune's sneaker studs, and he was carried down with blood. All three of En were sent on the field, and Manchester United's offensive immediately changed after that.

In the 64th minute, Scholes made a long volley pass to Keane. Keane passed a cross to Giggs, who put in the ball. Ni thought it was his luck, but unexpectedly, Yin Jun intercepted him and poked the ball into the gate before he swung his foot.

1:1, Manchester United equalized the score.And Yin Jun also used this goal to show that in 2004, his barrel is still hot!

Three minutes later, Giggs made another cross from the right, and the ball went to the near post. It was Yin Jun who volleyed and hit the net before everyone else. He scored twice and helped Manchester United reverse the score 3:2. opponent.

After the game, Ferguson praised Yin Jun for sending Manchester United to the fourth round of the FA Cup, although he didn't have many ideas except for the word "genius".

"He always slipped into those deadly positions and made it impossible for opponents to guard against him. The second goal was too beautiful."

Ferguson also specifically emphasized the importance he attaches to his next visit to Bolton: "Bolton has left many main players on the bench, so I don't want Yin Jun, Ruud van Nistelrooy and Keane to start at all. Yin Jun is very young and has very good physical fitness. , but it is impossible to play every game; and Roy and Luther must be used at the most critical moment."

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In the middle of the week, the 20th round of the Premier League kicks off. The three most critical games, Manchester United's away game against Bolton, Chelsea's game against Liverpool at Stamford Bridge, and Everton's home game against Arsenal, will be played at [-] o'clock on Wednesday night in the UK. post.

Ferguson recalled Yin Jun, Ruud van Nistelrooy and Roy Keane, who were on the bench last weekend, into the starting lineup, defender Ferdinand also rejoined the starting 11, and midfielder Phil Neville rotated Brazil Kleberson.For Bolton, the newly joined Spanish striker Moreno entered the bench. He only got permission to play an hour before the game.

Before this game, Manchester United had won 9 consecutive victories in the Premier League.However, in the face of aggressive Arsenal, the first half-time unbeaten team in the history of the Premier League, Manchester United did not dare to neglect at all, especially the opponent in this game was Allardyce's Bolton .

At the Reebok Stadium, the Red Devils turned their backs and launched a passionate offensive.

Van Nistelrooy had a chance to score in just three minutes, but Bolton defender Simon Charlton blocked the Dutchman's shot.Then Giggs took a corner kick and O'Shea headed over the bar from the far point.

Bolton slowly regained his rhythm, but after some fighting, Manchester United took the lead in breaking the deadlock.

In the 24th minute, Giggs made a cross to Ruud van Nistelrooy, Bolton goalkeeper Jace Klein knocked the ball out, but Scholes seized the opportunity to score in front of the goal.

Although Bolton stepped up the offensive afterwards, Manchester United expanded the score in the 39th minute. Scholes passed the ball to Giggs after countering offside. Enter the empty door.

Before half-time, Howard made a beautiful save from Campo's long-range shot to ensure that Manchester United did not lose the goal.

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Manchester United expanded the score at the beginning of the second half. Roy Keane shot an angry shot in the penalty area in the 47th minute and was thrown by Jas Klein, but Yin Jun appeared on the spot and easily sent the ball into the net.

Although Bolton scored a goal in the 89th minute with a header from Djorkaeff who received a cross from the right from Okocha, this did not prevent the Red Devils from winning ten consecutive victories.

Just as Manchester United triumphed at the Reebok Stadium with a score of 3:1, the Blues Chelsea were defeated by Liverpool at home. The Frenchman Cherrou scored the only goal of the game.

Losing Chelsea, the points are still at 39 points, 14 points behind the top Manchester United!
Meanwhile, at Goodison Park, the Everton-Arsenal game also decides the result.Although Kanu took the lead in scoring for Arsenal, Radzinski's goal in the second half allowed the Gunners to leave Goodison Park with only 1 point.

Amazingly, Radzinski has scored a goal in each of his four meetings with Arsenal, and the Goodison Park fans gave a standing ovation when the Canadian striker was substituted.

What's more, although the Chinese player Li Tie in Everton's team did not have many opportunities to play this season, he did not miss every match against Arsenal and the "China Derby" with Manchester United and Manchester City.

It was in the game against Arsenal at the beginning of the season that Li Tie, who came off the bench, received a red card and was almost sidelined since then. Today he got a chance to avenge his shame.However, he played mediocre in the game and was replaced at halftime.

Arsenal and Chelsea have fallen one after another, and the winning Manchester United can continue to expand their lead in the standings. They have reached 2 points ahead of No.7 Arsenal!
(End of this chapter)