host must win

Chapter 268
On the new Monday, the Premier League announced the best of December last year. Manchester United undoubtedly became the biggest winner. With the team's 12-game winning streak in the league in December, Ferguson defeated Wenger and others and was elected the best in December. The head coach, while Yin Jun was elected the best player in December.

In December last year, Yin Jun played in 12 of Manchester United's 6 league games and scored 5 goals crazily, 9 of which scored twice. At the same time, he contributed 4 assists, which is the biggest record for Manchester United's 2 consecutive victories heroes.

This is also the second time that Yin Jun has been elected Player of the Month this season.

The team has won consecutive victories. The team's head coach and top star won the best of the month last month. Manchester United is very motivated. They hope to make persistent efforts in January and score more points in the league before the Champions League knockout rounds.

And Manchester United's next league opponent happens to be a target to score points: Wolves, the deputy squad leader!

As a relegation team, the Wolves are now fighting for survival in every game, but compared to Manchester United, the Wolves are too weak.In the past 21 league rounds, they only scored 19 goals, only more than Middlesbrough and Leeds United who only scored 18 goals, and their defense conceded 44 goals, the most among all Premier League goals. The team concedes the most goals, even the only team conceding more than 2 goals per game.

The offense is not good, and the defense is even worse. No one believes that the Wolves can block the Manchester United attack line composed of Yin Jun and Ruud van Nistelrooy.And their striker can hardly threaten the best defense in the Premier League, which has only conceded 21 goals in 14 games.

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This game was Ferdinand's last game for Manchester United before he was suspended for 8 months.

For Manchester United, this is undoubtedly a huge loss.Since joining Manchester United for a year and a half, Ferdinand has proved his strength with his performance, and also proved his role to Manchester United.

It can be said that Ferdinand is currently one of the most indispensable players for Manchester United, and no one would object to saying that he is irreplaceable.No one else in Manchester United's defense can replace Ferdinand's role.

In the game against Wolves, Ferguson still paid more attention to it, almost playing with the full main lineup.In the Wolves, there are also two old Manchester United players.Former Manchester United stars Paul Ince and Denis Irvine are in Wolves' lineup and both started today's game.

Wolves pressed hard at home against leaders Manchester United, with centre-back Butler receiving a yellow card for an eighth-minute foul on Ruud van Nistelrooy.

In the first 15 minutes, the Wolves' several shots from outside the penalty area were difficult to pose a threat to Howard. Although Manchester United was able to pass the ball from the wing, it did not form a direct opportunity in the center.

In the 13th minute, Ferdinand was injured in the backcourt, but he still tried to stay on the field.

Manchester United did not get a chance until the 19th minute when O'Shea crossed from the right and Ruud van Nistelrooy's back barb went over the lintel.

In 2 minutes, Scholes missed a header from a cross from Fletcher.

Wolves goalkeeper Oakes missed a cross from Yin Jun's right in the 30th minute, but the defender cleared the ball from Roy Keane in time.

Manchester United then got two chances in a row. In the 40th minute, Ronaldo's shot in the penalty area was blocked by Caddock.Then the Portuguese took a corner kick, and Ruud van Nistelrooy's header from 2 yards in front of the goal went above the crossbar.

In stoppage time, O'Shea won a free kick on the right, Yin Jun made a long pass, and Oakes hit the ball before Ruud van Nistelrooy.

In the first half, Wolves' dense defense prevented Manchester United from attacking.

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United had their chance early in the second half when Irwin's weak header back almost gave Ruud van Nistelrooy an easy chance.

In the 49th minute, Sylvester was intercepted by Miller in the backcourt, and Manchester United almost paid the price. Paul Ince shot a curve ball from outside the penalty area, and the ball hit the left post and popped out.

The injured Ferdinand was replaced by Wes Brown.

In the 56th minute, Scholes received a pass from Ruud van Nistelrooy and was saved by Oakes.

The Wolves first broke the deadlock in the 67th minute. Manchester United threw a throw-in from the left and was intercepted by Wolves midfielder Newton. Miller dribbled the ball to the middle of the penalty area. He got rid of the fallen Wes Brown and faced the attack. Howard, the goalkeeper, calmly pushed the goal with his right foot.

In the 73rd minute, Irvine's free kick from 25 yards away from the middle was blocked by Howard.

Manchester United got a good chance to equalize in the 75th minute, but Oakes attacked and saved Yin Jun's shot from 8 yards in front of the goal.

In the end, Manchester United lost 0:1 in the away game.Under the key care of his opponent, Yin Jun's performance was not very satisfactory.He had a chance to help Manchester United take 1 point from the away game, but the heroic performance of the opponent's goalkeeper Oakes rejected his inevitable blow.

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After losing the game, Manchester United had to face Ferdinand's long-term suspension, which made Manchester United intend to introduce a good central defender, but there is no very good central defender in the transfer market.

There are more news in the British media that Manchester United is interested in Middlesbrough's old defender Gareth Southgate, the backbone of Marseille's defense, the Belgian international Van Buyten, and the Belgian League One giants Anderlech. Special rookie Kompany.

All three have their strengths and weaknesses.

Southgate has proven himself in the Premier League. He has more than 350 appearances for Crystal Palace, Aston Villa and Middlesbrough.But the problem is that Southgate is 33 years old and doesn't quite fit Ferguson's signing strategy.

Of course, Yin Jun Southgate is also a good choice if it is only to make up for the vacancy caused by Ferdinand's absence in the short term.But after Manchester United contacted Southgate, Southgate rejected Manchester United. He didn't want to be a spare tire for Ferdinand, a junior.

Van Buyten is currently only 26 years old, but he is at the age of playing. He is tall and is an absolute barrier for Belgium's defense line. He also has a good scoring ability.He played 35 games on behalf of Marseille last season and contributed 8 goals, which is absolutely unimaginable data for a defender.

Kompany came from the youth training system of Anderlecht Football Club. He was promoted to Anderlecht's first team in 2003 and quickly gained a foothold. This season, he played all the Champions League games for Anderlecht. Good performance in the group stage.But his problem is that he is too young, he is not yet 18 years old, and he has not proven himself in major European leagues.Central defender is a position that requires experience, especially Manchester United is currently hoping to introduce a central defender who can replace Ferdinand.

On the whole, between the two Belgian central defenders, Kompany and Van Buyten, Ferguson is more inclined to introduce Van Buyten.At present, the team has sent people to France to discuss transfer matters with Marseille and Van Buyten.

For Van Buyten and Kompany, the introduction is familiar. These are the first-class central defenders in the future. If Manchester United can get one, it will be very good.

(End of this chapter)