Manchester United legend

Chapter 107 The Champion at Hand

Manchester United was out of the Champions League and began to sprint to the league with all its strength. Manchester United's 16 unbeaten games have firmly established a points advantage. 16 wins and 11 draws in 5 games, scrambling for 38 points, and scoring 33 goals, only conceding 12 goals, which further opened up the advantage in terms of goal difference.It was not until the second league game in March 1997, that is, the 3th round away to Sunderland, that they were defeated by the Black Cats.

Then Manchester United cheered up and continued to strive for victory in the remaining 9 games. Although there were many draws, they only lost one game.

Because the opponents have lost the chain to varying degrees, Manchester United has been able to firmly grasp the first position in the standings and locked the league championship early.

In the remaining two games in March, United beat Sheffield Wednesday and Everton 2-0 by the same scoreline.In the victory over Sheffield Wednesday, Cantona played well. He first played a central role in Manchester United's offense, attracting the defense at the top of the penalty area, and then cleverly flicked the ball diagonally to Cole. Cole led the ball to the corner of the small penalty area and scored.

Subsequently, Manchester United's four attacking players performed a teamwork, and they all used actions that are usually rare.First, Giggs kicked back after hitting the bottom on the left. Facing his opponent blocking the direction of the pass with his left foot, he chose to cross with his right foot.

The ball still landed precisely in front of Cantona.In the penalty area, Cantona directly turned sideways and knocked the ball to Solskjaer with his heel, while the Norwegian killer stopped the ball and got away a little bit. When he almost lost the ball, he chose to shovel and pass it to Poboski who inserted into the right side of the penalty area.

Poborski unleashed a powerful right foot, and his heavy artillery blasted the ball directly into the opponent's near post net.

Cantona dominated both goals, proving he is hot at this stage.The godlike man from the end of last season is back!

Even if he doesn't score or shoot, he is still a serious problem for any opponent, and he can still bring Manchester United victory.

Manchester United's away game against Everton also proved this point.In the first half, Cantona responded to Schmeichel's long pass, ferried the header to Solskjaer on the edge of the penalty area, and assisted the Norwegian striker to score a wonderful shot.

Then in the second half, he was extremely keen to capture the trajectory and landing point of Beckham's 45° long pass into the penalty area. He suddenly evaded the blockade of the opponent's goalkeeper and two defenders, and then easily stopped the ball.United had extended their lead to six points heading into April.

Ferguson still did not sit back and relax.In the first game in April, that is, the 32nd round of the league, Manchester United unexpectedly lost 2 to 3 at home to Derby County, and Arsenal caught up with the score by only 3 points after winning.

The loss to Derby County was unexpected for Ferguson. After the game, Ferguson still wondered whether the TV station had disclosed to Derby the injury situation of Manchester United players in advance. He also doubted whether Derby County knew about Manchester United's pre-match arrangement.

In fact, that game was too weird, because the Derby team was not a strong team at all. They were only promoted to the Premier League last season, and they hadn't played 4 defenders all year, but they used this tactic today and deployed 3 intercepting midfielders.Of course, it was a surprise for the Premier League, or for those Manchester United blacks.

Ferguson also generously admitted that this is indeed a wonderful game. Derby is the best team to play as a guest at Old Trafford this season.

Ferguson was furious about the team's defense. "Our defense was so inadvertent at times that we shot our own goal three times. The second goal for the visitors was their Costa Rican newcomer Van Gaopu who dribbled the ball from midfield and scored 3 yards. I believe he was thinking: 'It's good to play in this country, no one tackles me.'"

He started his famous hair dryer in a rage during the intermission. Ferguson later admitted, "I have to ask our players, have they not even learned how to tackle?! Haven't even fouled?! We seem to be playing in slippers, and the lifeless performance of the players makes me angry."

Manchester United lost, but Liverpool, Manchester United's most feared opponent this season, also unexpectedly lost to Coventry.Then Manchester United won a key game, which is the home victory over the whetstone of the championship - Blackburn.

The game against Blackburn was not easy. Manchester United had just returned from Borussia Dortmund in Germany three days ago, with an extremely regrettable 0-1 loss.

Although Blackburn lacked a number of core players this season, and there is no super striker like Shearer in the team, they are still a strong team.

Manchester United won a penalty shortly after the first half, but Cantona seemed to have not recovered from the defeat in Germany, and his penalty was easily saved by the opponent's goalkeeper.

Cantona, who missed the penalty kick, was still mentally strong. He was not affected at all, and soon instigated another extremely threatening attack. Manchester United pressed forward aggressively, and Scholes passed a diagonal pass to Cantona from close range. The King looked up and saw Cole from behind the opponent's defender.

Cole quickly rushed into the penalty area in front of the defender, volleyed and scored without stopping the ball!
United went on the offensive after a lucky equalizer with a shot from 40 yards out.After many passes from the midfield, Cole dribbled the ball near the opponent's penalty area line. Taking advantage of the opportunity when the opponent's central defender stepped forward to steal the ball, Cole passed the ball to the unguarded Scholes, who then inserted into the right side of the penalty area.

The second half of the game was full of twists and turns. Manchester United played many sharp attacks, but they were still only a hair away from scoring.

And Blackburn pushed the front line forward, and also found many opportunities to start a confrontation with Manchester United.

In the middle of the game, Manchester United was the first to attack. Cole passed two defenders in a row on the right, and went all the way to the edge of the small penalty area. He decisively passed back in an inverted triangle.Make sure to play one less game and still lead the standings.

Manchester United's 3-2 victory over Blackburn, who had withdrawn from the title race early, is very important for consolidating their points advantage.

The result of this game also allowed Manchester United to maintain its lead over Liverpool and Arsenal.In a key game before, Liverpool was tied 1-1 at home by Everton, which was considered to have lost the best chance to catch up with Manchester United.

In the 34th round, Arsenal was tied 1-1 by Blackburn at home, while Manchester United challenged Liverpool away. If the Red Army can be wiped out, then the last hope of the chasers to resist will be completely wiped out.

It can be said that Manchester United has once again expanded its advantage before entering May, increasing its leading position in the standings by a lot.

Manchester United, who has one game less, leads Liverpool by 5 points and also leads Arsenal by 5 points.

A long season has almost come to an end at this time. Ferguson's Manchester United has experienced unstable ups and downs, experienced three consecutive defeats, and finally relied on tenacity and brave blood to gradually narrow the gap, gradually catch up with opponents, gradually establish advantages, and finally grasp the initiative to defend the title.

This is Ferguson, he has a way to forge and sharpen a sharp but fragile blade to become the strongest soldier in the world!

(End of this chapter)