Star card system.

Manchester United has been injured a lot this season, but most of them are minor injuries and there are few serious injuries.

Even veterans Rooney and Carrick are just injured and have stopped playing, but they can still make huge contributions to the team in the final stage of the season.

But one person is an exception.

That's Ibrahimovic.

In mid-November 2023, Ibrahimovic was injured.

The severe fracture kept him bedridden for half a year.

He even thought about retiring directly.

But with Mourinho's encouragement, he persevered.

However, even if he did not retire, he resolutely gave up his salary and bonuses while recuperating.

Just this one thing was done impeccably.

After resuming ball training in April, he recovered very well.

He even played several reserve league games on behalf of Manchester United's reserve team, often scoring goals.

He even volunteered to play in the Champions League against Real Madrid.

In the end, Mourinho declined politely.

"Zlatan, it's just a semi-final, my teammates can handle it. If you are in good enough condition, I hope you can play in the Champions League final, how about it?"

"it is good!"

With Mourinho's approval, Ibrahimovic resumed training more steadily.

And now, he's finally back on the court.

Facing West Ham on May 5, Ibrahimovic made his debut!
  This made the London Stadium burst into applause!
  Even many visiting team fans gave him a blessing applause!
  This is a huge respect for a tenacious and hard-working 37-year-old veteran!
  God is back!

The legend remains!

Manchester United had almost all substitutes in this game, except for Xia Xing.

In fact, Mourinho is determined not to let Xia Xing enter the 18-man roster.

You must know that in the past Champions League semi-finals, Xia Xing fought very hard and exerted a lot of physical energy.

Now is a good time to rest.

But Xia Xing strongly requested to appear.

"Coach, if you don't let me start, it may affect my performance in the Champions League final."

"Yes, yes?"

"Well, probably so."

"Stop talking nonsense! I don't know you yet!"

"real……"

"Did you hear that Ibrahimovic was going to start, so you took the initiative to volunteer?"

"Yes."

"I'll just say it!"

Looking at Xia Xing's expectant eyes, Mourinho pretended to be angry, but in an instant, both of them laughed.

Mourinho was trying to protect Xia Xing, and Xia Xing knew it very well.

Xia Xing is to help Ibrahimovic find his form, and Mourinho knows better.

This pair of generals who truly care about the team and the players respect each other immensely at this moment.

"Xia, you are the best player I have ever seen, bar none."

"Coach, you are one of the four best coaches I have ever seen."

"..."

"..."

"It's so hurtful and heartbreaking..."

"Sir Alex Ferguson gave me the opportunity to join Manchester United, which was the starting point of everything; Coach Pearson allowed me to play in the professional league for the first time and helped me become a confident person; Coach Ranieri trained me to become the core of the team and our Together we have won five championships; and you are the best coach I have ever seen in terms of tactical ability and professionalism, bar none."

Mourinho smiled: "If possible, I hope we can always play together."

Xia Xing added: "Until I retire, you retire."

"Just do it!"

"promised!"

The general smiled and made a high-five. In the end, Xia Xing made his debut in this game.

He followed Zlatan Ibrahimovic into the pitch at the London Stadium.

Listening to the applause of the audience, Ibrahimovic showed a long-lost smile on his face.

Xia Xing patted him on the shoulder: "Zlatan, it's not easy to hear applause of this magnitude in an away game."

"It seems I'm not old yet. It seems I still have the strength to fight."

"That's natural. I'm still waiting to play the Champions League final with you. Score a few more goals in this game and I'll help you!"

Looking at the smiling Xia Xing beside him, Ibrahimovic was very moved.

Xia Xing, who had just played an important game, should have a good rest in this game, but he still went into battle.

why?
  Aren't you just trying to help score goals?

Ibrahimovic understands.

Such a good brother is really rare.

The two high-fived each other vigorously and ran onto the court!
  Warm up with all your strength and work hard for the next game!
  Get ready for the finals!
  West Ham are in average form this season, but they have completed their relegation task early.

Therefore, this make-up game is of little significance to them. They are just playing normally and there is no need to go all out.

This also gave Manchester United a good chance to score.

The game had just started and Manchester United attacked with all their strength!
  On the front line, Rashford and Lingard are on the left and right, with Ibrahimovic in the center.

The three of them sprinted quickly!
  And Xia Xing is sitting in the middle, and he is also full of attack power!

He avoided two defensive players in a row and passed a long pass to the left wing!
  Find Rashford!

Manchester United quickly picked up the ball and sprinted, passing up and down the baseline!
  The ball goes to Ibrahimovic!
  However, the ball was held tightly by Adrian who was attacking.

Manchester United missed a great opportunity.

A few minutes later, Xia Xing made a direct pass this time through West Ham's midfield line, looking for Ibrahimovic.

Lingard quickly moved forward on the right wing and ran out of space!
  But he was just feinting, and it was Ibrahimovic who finally shot!

Ibrahimovic turned around and shot from outside the penalty area!

Central defender Ogbonna squeezed him, which affected the area where he touched the ball, and the ball slid out.

In the first ten minutes, Ibrahimovic attacked twice, both to no avail.

Although West Ham does not have a particularly urgent need to score points in this game, they will never admit defeat.

Especially at their home court, they are looking forward to trying their best to win.

And they know exactly what Manchester United wants to do in this game.

They want to feed Ibrahimovic with the ball and help the Swedish God Tower find form.

Even Ibrahimovic's recovery is more important than the team winning.

That's Manchester United's goal today.

So, lock Ibrahimovic, this is West Ham's goal today!

Therefore, in the first two attacks, West Ham's defense blocked Ibrahimovic and never allowed him to catch the ball and shoot comfortably.

As a result, Manchester United's offense has been greatly affected.

On the other hand, West Ham performed very well today.

Especially midfielder and Argentinian Lanzini.

This talented player who came out of River Plate performed very well in this game.

In the midfield position, his continuous dribbling made Manchester United's defense very difficult.

In the case where Xia Xing's forward press is mainly responsible for offense, and in the absence of Matic and other defensive heroes, it is really difficult for the Manchester United midfielder to stop him.

On the front line, Arnautovic is full of impact, and he acts as a wall for Lanzini.

With the assistance of midfield partner Joao Mario, West Ham's offense was once flourishing.

Especially in the 19th minute of the game, West Ham actually scored first.

This time it was a continuous pass from the midfield, and the ball was handed over to Lanzini's feet.

Lanzini shook twice in a row and suddenly kicked!

This time, he didn't choose to go over the line, but made a direct pass, creating a single opportunity!

Manchester United is in danger! (End of chapter)