opening a balotelli

In the end, Vidic could only choose to throw his whole body out in an attempt to interfere with Li Mo's shot selection, but Li Mo's reaction was too fast. After he fell to the ground and shot, he quickly retracted his foot, and just collided with Vidic. There is no risk of injury.

Ferdinand's interference on the flank can only be said to have minimal effect.

But Vidic didn't say anything in the end. He and Ferdinand have been partners for many years, not only know each other's technical characteristics, but also the decline in physical function.

Ferdinand is a 34-year-old veteran. Like him, he still has the ability to confront frontally, but his ability to defend from the flank is not as good as before.

When they meet other teams in the league, they can still show their defensive dominance in the penalty area.

It doesn't matter whether it's a top fight or a frontal interception.

But Li Mo is an opponent of another level, the kind of enemy who can confront the two of them at their peak.

Li Mo is not the new Drogba, nor the new Torres, he is more like a combination of the two, with equal emphasis on strength and speed, and even more sense of smell in front of the goal.

If such an opponent could be met before 08, Vidic would be very excited, but now, he only feels the sadness of a hero's twilight.

They are already the remnants of the old era. When he, Ferdinand and Terry all retire one after another, an era of the Premier League will also come to an end.

Vidic followed Ferdinand's gaze at the moment. In the corner flag area, Li Mo was raising three fingers in celebration. His arrogance and high spirits could not be hidden.

And Vidic knew that Ferdinand's mood at the moment should be exactly the same as his.

Their glory days are over.

And as their group of players ages, Manchester United is no longer able to prevent the rise of an emerging powerhouse.

It can stop Manchester City, but it can't stop Sheffield United.

"It's changed."

Ferdinand sighed in his heart, feeling both painful and relieved.

Vidic may be able to stay at Manchester United for a few more seasons, but it is time for him to consider retiring. Maybe after two more seasons, he can live a retired life.

The only regret is that he may not be able to help Manchester United win another heavyweight championship trophy.

And his successors
Thinking of this, Ferdinand looked at his own bench.

There are Smalling and Jones sitting there, both good and diligent guys, but in many cases, diligence cannot help a player gain a firm foothold in the giants.

It's not that Ferdinand is not optimistic about these two younger brothers, they are all talented, but this talent is far from enough.

Just look at the names of central defenders in Manchester United's defense over the past decade or so.

From Stam, to his Ferdinand, and then to Nemanja Vidic behind.

Thinking that Smalling, Evans, Jones, and Ferdinand would inherit their positions in the future, Ferdinand felt a headache for Sir Alex.

"Let's take a look again, maybe these guys will be enlightened later, let's take a look again."

Ferdinand comforted himself, but at the moment their boss, Sir Alex Ferguson, was much more sober than him.

Ferguson has already seen that when Li Mo gave up the frontal rushing style and chose to slash into the two wings of the penalty area to grab points, both Ferdinand and Vidic would suffer due to the decline in turning and lateral speed.

But even so, he will not replace Vidic and Ferdinand with two younger central defenders on the bench.

Because compared to the players, Ferguson, as the head coach, naturally knows the strength of each student more clearly.

He can try to make up for the lack of individual strength of the players by matching different player combinations.

But this kind of tactical adjustment is not a panacea, after all, the shortcomings in strength lie there.

Vidic and Ferdinand can at least force Li Mo to move around and attack from the flanks. If Smalling and Jones start instead, Manchester United's defense may have been overwhelmed by Li Mo at this time.

Ferguson knew both tactical flaws and player shortcomings, and even if it was Speed's intention, he could fully understand it after watching ten minutes of the game.

But if you know it, you know it, and he can't adjust it.

Manchester United's most threatening offensive could not be played under the suppression of Sheffield United's midfield.

Moreover, Speed ​​will not play against Manchester United in this game, he just wants to beat Manchester United to death.

Losing the control of the midfield means losing the initiative in tactics. Even if it is as strong as Ferguson, it is difficult to come up with a way to come back in such a situation.

Fletcher's injury made Manchester United's already weak midfield even worse. Looking at Drinkwater, who was stably organized in Sheffield United's backcourt, Ferguson also rarely cursed a few youth training directors in his heart.

This should have been the core of Manchester United's organization for the next ten years. When it was sold to Sheffield United, it did not mention adding a repurchase clause.

If there is a Drinkwater in the current Manchester United lineup, it is enough for him to solve many of the shortcomings of this lineup.

It's a pity that they sold such an excellent midfield core to their biggest competitor!

The more Ferguson thought about it, the more depressed he felt, and finally he had to sit back on the coach's bench to relax.

At the moment, Speed, who was on the other side, was gesturing to the disciples on the field to continue to control the rhythm of the game.

In the four midfield formation he put up today, except for Bell who often presses to the striker position to attack with the ball, the other three are good players with both offense and defense.

The top players that Manchester United lacks, Sheffield United can put three in one go, and there is a Dembele sitting on the bench. It can be said that the midfielder is directly overwhelmed.

With such a basic advantage, Sheffield United does not need to worry at all. With the control of the midfield, there will be a steady stream of offensive opportunities. As long as they score another goal, Manchester United will basically enter a slow death.

If Manchester United wants to counterattack desperately, Sheffield United can also directly withdraw the three midfielders and put on the three midfielders generously. Once Vardy pulls the side again, a four-five-one formation will come out.

You push from the side and I have the advantage in speed, you push in the middle and I have the advantage in number, Medel suddenly covers and sweeps, Matic and Drinkwater intercept in front of the penalty area, even if Manchester United passes this interception dam , There are Maguire and Vertonghen's iron walls behind!
This defense is one layer after another. If Manchester United can really penetrate the three lines of defense and score goals, then Speed ​​will recognize it. You are a Manchester United player.

But now it seems that it is obviously difficult for Manchester United's offensive players to find a way to enter the Sheffield United penalty area.

For this reason, Van Persie had to retreat frequently to catch the ball. The alternate retreat of him and Rooney still played a role, helping Manchester United's midfield to relieve a lot of pressure.

However, the offensive players on the wing were entangled and unable to come up, and Manchester United's offensive width was still unable to spread.

With Manchester United's formation gradually premised, Sheffield United also decisively changed into a four-five-one formation. Li Mo retreated to Carrick's side, and the tactical intention was very obvious.

You Manchester United continue to press, when Sheffield United succeeds in stealing the ball, you will directly pass a long pass to Li Mo, and with Li Mo as the pivot, the breakthroughs of Bale and Vardy on both sides will create a huge defense for Manchester United's defense. pressure.

No one would question Sheffield United's counterattack level. Manchester United's players have been hurt by such tricks several times. After hesitation, their offense was very anticlimactic.

The full-backs did not dare to press on, causing the wing attack to always be out of touch. The defense line was stabilized, but now what Manchester United wants is to score.

Manchester United will be out of the FA Cup if they lose this game, and if they tie, there will be a play-off, so several offensive players of Manchester United are naturally very anxious, constantly gesturing to their teammates behind to keep up.

If Ferguson hadn't come forward to instruct Manchester United to stabilize the defense in the midfield first, then Manchester United would have inconsistent tactical thinking on the field. At that time, let alone Sheffield United, fans of other teams would have to laugh at Manchester United.

The first half of the game came to an end in the anticlimax of Manchester United's offensive. Sheffield United got the desired lead and was not in a hurry to continue to suppress Manchester United's offense. Both sides planned to make an important tactical adjustment during the intermission.

After Li Mo returned to the locker room, he still changed into a clean jersey first.

Vidic is hard enough, and today he had a good experience in confrontation, but the jersey was black again, looking like he was digging coal.

Speed ​​will now stand in the middle of the locker room, tapping heavily on the tactical board a few times with a marker.

"No matter how they adjust, they will make a fuss about their right-sided defense, but in the second half Carrick should be centered and delayed. Manchester United will either pull a wide player back to limit Gareth's performance, or they will choose Anderson. So we need a tactical plan, Danny, look at this area."

Listening to Speed's tactical arrangement, the players of Sheffield United became more and more at ease.

With this kind of research, I have guessed [-]% to [-]% of the player adjustments that Manchester United may make. If the coaching staff can do this, if the game is still not won, it means that their players are not strong enough.

Finally, amidst the sound of cheering, Sheffield United players confidently followed Li Mo out of the locker room again.

Speed ​​walked to the sidelines and subconsciously turned his head to look at Ferguson in front of the Manchester United bench.

To be honest, Speed ​​also learned a lot from Ferguson's on-the-spot adjustments when studying Manchester United's classic games.

So no matter how suppressed Manchester United on the scene now, Speed ​​will not have the slightest thought of contempt for the godfather of the Red Devils.

Ferguson is old, not a change of character, he is just bullying Ferguson. Now he doesn't have many cards to play. If it is really before 08, Speed ​​thinks he can win Manchester United once a season. Killing or even killing three times is just a dream.

It can only be said that in the face of time, all great teams will inevitably move towards mediocrity.

Sheffield United is only lucky to be in the early stage of its rise, and what Speed ​​can do is try to get enough honors with his disciples before the team's decline period arrives.

In this way, he can be regarded as worthy of the investment of the club's top management and the trust of the players.

※※※

At the start of the second half, Ferguson really took the lead in making adjustments.

Similar to what Speed ​​said in the locker room, Ferguson finally replaced Anderson, removed Ashley Young, and changed to four-three-three.

With an extra man in the middle of the midfield and three players directly on the front line, Ferguson is still courageous at critical moments.

Just like Li Mo gave the Sheffield United team and Speed ​​the greatest confidence, Van Persie is like a savior to Manchester United this season.

If it weren't for Van Persie, Manchester United might have fallen behind in the league. Van Persie dragged Manchester United with one key goal after another and barely followed Sheffield United. This also won him the respect of the Manchester United team and fans.

At this moment, Ferguson put his treasure on Van Persie.

Lu Xiaopang once again went to the sidewalk to cover for Van Persie.

The frequent changes in position over the years have allowed Rooney to adapt quickly. He can play in the middle anyway, plug and play.

However, such a sacrifice also made Rooney lose the possibility of showing a dominant performance in the middle.

Versatility a lot of the time means you're not a dominant player.

Rooney last season may be the closest to such a standard, but unfortunately his ups and downs made him overwhelmed by Li Mo and Van Persie one after another.

This season, his state has dropped and he has returned to the status of a green leaf. After Rooney made a fuss, he just let it go.

He is still an excellent player and an integral part of Manchester United's attacking line, but it is difficult for him to dominate the game.

Van Persie started to get more opportunities with the change of Manchester United's tactics.

But he still needs to get closer to the goal.

He is good at kicking fairy balls, but it also depends on who the opponent is facing. Sheffield United's tough defense makes his room for movement shrink again and again, and he will inevitably be confiscated by Sommer if he forces a kick outside the penalty area.

To put it bluntly, he needs more support. If you let him do it alone, the effect can only be said to be unsatisfactory, but in the current situation, being unsatisfactory can't help Manchester United equalize the score, they must perform exceptionally.

So Manchester United's midfield players had to bear the threat of Sheffield United's counterattack and began to press forward.

Upon seeing this, Li Mo gestured to his teammates behind to cheer up.

The increase in the number of opponents attacking can always bring some changes to the situation on the field.

From a tactical point of view, Sheffield United still holds the initiative, but some variables are manipulated by the players.

Van Persie is a ruthless character who often plays volleys on the line of the penalty area. He doesn't need to stop the ball to adjust. Such stunts often allow him to hit a fatal blow.

Sheffield United's backcourt players obviously know what Manchester United's real killer move is. Li Mo reminded everyone that they have consciously raised their vigilance, watching Van Persie's movements, and are always ready to cut off the pass from other Manchester United players. aisle.

As time passed, Sheffield United's style of play became more and more stable, but Manchester United became anxious unconsciously.

No. 605 minutes into the second half, Ferguson made a tactical gesture, and the Manchester United players no longer hesitated. From the frontcourt to the backcourt, they now truly unified their thinking.

Attack, launch an attack by any means!

Speed ​​didn't make too many moves. Sheffield United's current formation has paid enough attention to defense.

The three defensive midfielders are the eyes of Sheffield United. They are like a spring at the moment, and there is no need to blindly stretch out to bluff.

On the contrary, their self-contracting formation is like a spring compressing and accumulating force, which will withstand the pressure, and when it rebounds next time, it will get huge benefits.

Bell and Vardy are positioned on the two wings. As the first line of defense on the wing, both of them have invested a lot of physical energy and energy on the defensive end at the moment.

However, the team's scientific rotation strategy keeps their physical condition very good, and they can still withstand this meeting, even if they launch a counterattack later, it will not be a problem.

They are all patiently waiting for an opportunity. Once Manchester United presses forward, it is equivalent to handing over the handle to Sheffield United.

Li Mo is the one who holds the knife, and Bell and Vardy are the sharpest blades. As long as the time is right, they will strike a fatal blow.

Manchester United also knew that the contraction of Sheffield United was waiting for a counterattack opportunity, but they had no choice.

Instead of losing a goal and being eliminated from the FA Cup, they would rather attack happily, even if they still lose in the end?

At least this way of losing is their own choice, they have not fallen into the name of the Red Devils.

Amidst the cheers of more than 6 Red Devils fans at the scene, Manchester United bet everything and wanted to go crazy before the game entered the final stage.

If the score is equalized, the morale bonus to Manchester United's entire team is immeasurable.

And the [-]-small Sheffield United fans are naturally not to be outdone. Even though they are not as popular as Manchester United's home fans, they still opened their voices and shouted with all their strength, hoping that their team can withstand this pressure .

The red and white teams in the field started the final stage of fighting, and Li Mo also retreated to the midfield frequently, and the white away jersey became black and gray again.

There is not much psychological pressure on defense. Apart from not shoveling from the back and flanks, Li Mo has once again become the "front center back" of Sheffield United.

In the No.706 minute, Li Mo even got a yellow card for overturning Nani who was attacking with the ball head-on!
Speed ​​was very dissatisfied and sprayed directly on the sidelines, causing the fourth official to come over to stop Speed's rude behavior.

But the players on both sides of the field couldn't care less about the conflict at the moment.

Manchester United wanted to save time and continue to attack, while the Sheffield United players quickly dropped back to defend.

In the No.80 minute, Li Mo, who received a yellow card, was not timid, and together with Medel, double-teamed Anderson who was holding the ball in the midfield.

Li Mo was about to get stuck in his position and grab the ball directly, but Medel was even more aggressive than him, so he just fell to the ground and stabbed the ball.

Anderson fell down together, and the Manchester United players hurriedly raised their hands to signal Medel to foul, wanting a chance to set the ball in the frontcourt.

But the referee looked carefully. Medel stabbed the ball first, and then decisively withdrew his foot. Anderson didn't stop and fell to the ground. The ball was not fouled!
Under the frenzied boos of more than 6 Manchester United fans, Li Mo led the ball smartly and started to counterattack. Vardy on the right was in a deep position, and he hadn't caught up yet, but Bell on the left was the moment when Medel intercepted the ball. Just move forward decisively.

Li Mo saw that Rafael and Carrick, who was returning to defense, were watching Bell's side, so he decisively dribbled the ball forward in the middle.

Cleverley rushed straight up to interfere with Li Mo's dribbling, but was fooled by Li Mo's heavy shoulder shaking to divert the focus of defense.

After Li Mo quickly changed direction and passed Cleverley, Carrick had to quickly settle down and return to the middle.

Bale, who only needed to face Rafael at this moment, sprinted towards the back of Manchester United's defense, and Li Mo also took advantage of the situation and directly smashed an over-the-top through ball.

Bell took the ball and shot it if he could, and even if he couldn't shoot, he succeeded. Vardy on the right caught up, and Li Mo accelerated forward in the middle. Bell had at least two points to pass.

Ferdinand pounced on Bell's path, and Vidic stared at Li Mo, but at the moment Bell shot, the two central defenders subconsciously looked at their goalkeeper De Gea!

"Bell successfully got the ball! He directly chose to shoot! De Gea's save!!!"

Amid the high-pitched voice of the commentator, Bell's push shot was barely blocked by De Gea, and the football rolled to the outside of the penalty area. At this moment, Li Mo was in a position where he could receive the ball!

Vidic strode desperately to intercept with a shovel, and Li Mo first swung his left foot in front of the rolling football, but in the next moment he lightly dunked the ball, and the whole body just brushed against Vidic Pass by!

There is almost no need to carry out the linking action, Li Mo's right foot volleyed straight on the football that was buckled to the right side of his body!
De Gea jumped in the right direction this time, and his reaction was very quick, but this volley straight to the far corner of the goal was too fast!

As long as the short-range explosive shot does not miss the goal frame, if the goalkeeper does not explode, it is generally difficult to save the ball.

De Gea tried his best, and in the end he just barely touched the edge of the football with his fingers, but this did not affect the result of the football entering the net!
The players of Sheffield United frantically rushed towards Li Mo, who raised his hands and stretched out three fingers in front of the Manchester United fans after scoring the goal!

Speed ​​lost his composure on the sidelines. After the goal was scored, he was completely relieved, and hugged excitedly with the assistant coach to celebrate their entry into the quarter-finals of the FA Cup!

And Old Trafford, which was still booing just now, fell silent at the moment. In the eyes of Manchester United fans, that white figure standing proudly looked so dazzling at this moment!

And his three raised fingers.

Now Manchester United fans understand the meaning of these three fingers.

"ended."

Ferguson murmured in the cold wind. The old man who had guarded Manchester United for 26 years knew better than anyone else at this moment.

His red dynasty has collapsed!