Manchester United's performance this season is not bad. On the contrary, the current Red Devils are very strong and their defense is even stronger than in the 2007-2008 season, especially in Manchester United's midfield configuration.
So far this season, Manchester United has conceded zero goals in six group matches in the Champions League.
In the Premier League, in twenty-six league games, only eighteen goals were conceded.
If this report card were taken out and placed in any league and for any period of time, it would be considered quite outstanding.
But it is a pity that Ferguson's team encountered the sophisticated Manchester City.
The tactical system created by Gao Shen for Manchester City and the strong lineup he assembled allow this team to maintain strong competitiveness on multiple fronts.
According to the British media, Manchester City is divided into two teams, both of which have the strength to reach the semi-finals.
It is not difficult to see how strong Manchester City's lineup is now.
But no matter how strong the lineup is, if you want to massacre Manchester United at Old Trafford, it is not something you can do if you want to.
It takes the right time, the right place and the right people.
The opening score of 2-0 made Sky TV commentator Andy Gray excited, but Gao Shen was sober.
Facts also proved that his sobriety was right.
Ferguson quickly adjusted his tactics, strengthened the interception in the midfield, and immediately stabilized the defense.
After the adjustment, Manchester United slowed down the pace, transferred all possession of the ball to Manchester City, and adopted a more defensive strategy.
Manchester City continued to play steadily.
But with the double central defenders of Ferdinand and Vidic, plus the midfield of Fletcher, Sneijder and Anderson, Manchester United's defense is still very solid.
In the rest of the first half, both sides created a good opportunity.
In the 31st minute of Manchester City, Gareth Bale dribbled the ball to the left side of the penalty area and passed the ball straight into the penalty area. Robin van Persie stepped in, stopped and turned around and knocked back. Hazard followed up and beat the ball.
The shot hit the post and missed the opportunity to expand the score.
Manchester United took advantage of a goal kick opportunity. Sneijder sent a direct pass. Zabaleta did not keep an eye on him. Valencia used his speed to break through. After breaking into the penalty area, he formed a single shot, but the shot was missed by Neuer.
Fight hard to save.
After changing sides in the second half, Manchester United made a substitution. Ferguson replaced Sneijder with Lars Diarra.
This substitution basically shows Manchester United's attitude.
Ferguson just needs to defend and counterattack.
Since then, the situation has remained essentially unchanged.
Manchester City controlled the ball and rhythm and organized the attack patiently, while Manchester United defended steadily and waited for opportunities to counterattack.
This made the scene a bit stalemate and the game was not very exciting.
Even Andy Gray said that he did not expect that the first ten minutes would become the most exciting period of the derby, and the rest of the game would become dull and boring.
However, in the 87th minute of the second half, Manchester United passed the ball to the right. Valencia dribbled the ball straight in and passed the ball low to the goal. Kompany, who was marking Rooney, slipped and his body failed to stabilize.
Rooney seized the opportunity, fell to the ground and hit a shovel shot, getting a goal back for Manchester United.
But in the end, Manchester City defeated Manchester United 2-1 away from home.
…
"Let's drink together later. See you at the same place!"
As soon as the game whistle sounded, Ferguson came over and shook hands with Gao Shen. This was the etiquette that the game should have.
Gao Shen also smiled and nodded in agreement.
After seeing off Ferguson, he saw all of his players walking off the field a little disappointed. Zabaleta and Kompany even had their heads hanging down. People who didn't know better thought that Manchester City had lost.
Gao Shen laughed and went up to them, hugging them one by one.
"Listen to the boos in the audience, this is the best affirmation for us!" Gao Shen encouraged.
Regarding Zabaleta, Gao Shen actually knows very well that he is not the kind of full-back with strong personal ability, but he is really useful because he is very diligent and can always execute the head coach's tactics meticulously.
But to be honest, when Manchester City takes the initiative, it is really stressful for him to mark Valencia.
Not to mention anything else, the defense line presses forward and back, and there is a large gap behind him. With the speed and explosive power not as good as Valencia, Zabaleta is really difficult to defend.
He did a pretty good job throughout the game, but he made a few mistakes. No, it can't even be called a mistake. It can only be said that he didn't do what he did, and Valencia took advantage of it.
What else can be said?
Could it be that he must be forced to compete with Valencia?
Ferguson's current tactics are very interesting, basically three midfielders, plus two wingers, plus Rooney.
Berbatov was used as a surprise player by him, and Irving was even a substitute among the substitutes.
This has also led to the fact that Manchester United now adopts more defensive counterattack tactics, allowing the opponent to press out and fight.
Under Ferguson's training, Nani and Valencia can now really be regarded as Europe's first-line wingers.
These two players have the same characteristics, that is, they are fast and have strong ability to work alone. Nani can even be regarded as the best player in Manchester United this season. This also leads to Leighton Baines being very good tonight.
Tired of running for his life, Fernandinho had to rush to support this side frequently.
As for Kompany's slip, it was pure luck.
The weather in England is such that the field is slippery and the penalty area is bumpy with people coming and going. It is inevitable that the field will slip if you are not careful. Unfortunately, a goal was scored.
Except for this time, Kompany's performance tonight was perfect.
Even during the two seasons coached by Gao Shen, Kompany has grown up at an extremely fast rate and is now one of the best central defenders in Europe.
But unfortunately, the media and fans will remember Kompany and Zabaleta's mistakes and even criticize them.
"Okay!" Gao Shen hugged Kompany and reached out to pat his head, "Don't hang your head like a lost dog. People who don't know may think we have lost. Please cheer up!"
"
The profound shout finally made the players raise their heads.
"It's my fault for conceding a goal!" Gao Shen said with a serious face.
The players were all stunned, and Zabaleta wanted to say something, but was stopped by Gao Shen.
"You know, Valencia's low cross was taught by me, or I practiced it by watching him."
At the end, Gao Shen shrugged speechlessly, and his expression made the Manchester City players couldn't help but laugh.
"Boss, we have to say, that kid is really troublesome!" Zabaleta also opened his heart and complained.
The crowd burst into laughter again.
But you can also look at it this way, that is, Gao Shen's training of Valencia is still very successful.
Gao Shen has long been indifferent to this kind of thing, because it is the norm in European football.
In the future, there will be more and more situations like this, so you have to get used to it.
…
At the post-match press conference, Gao Shen took the initiative to defend his players.
He said Zabaleta completed the task well and Kompany should not be blamed for an accidental slip.
"I hope that everyone can see more of the stability and performance of the players throughout the game, instead of just focusing on their one mistake. This is unfair to their efforts and dedication."
Gao Shen also specifically listed several examples.
For example, in the 20th minute, Manchester United launched a quick counterattack. After Nani got the ball on the left, he forced it to start, throwing away the defensive player and passing the ball in time. At that time, Rooney had already outflanked him at the back point, but Kompany was accurate in advance.
Anticipate and push the ball decisively.
A minute later, when Manchester United made a comeback, Kompany once again used his body to squeeze Rooney away, blocking his position and destroying another Manchester United attack.
"Many people remember one of his mistakes, but in the 57th minute of the second half, Manchester United made a through ball to Rooney. Kompany fought back all the way. When Rooney faced the goalkeeper,
A precise sliding tackle from the side and back intercepted the ball."
Gao Shen said that Kompany is already a world-class central defender.
"I even think he deserves the best of the match award!"
This is undoubtedly the best protection and recognition that Gao Shen, as the head coach, can give Kompany.
In fact, if you win this game, the media and fans may not necessarily be very critical, but the morale within the Manchester City team is very good now, and Gao Shen hopes to maintain it.
More importantly, in the central defender position, Jerome Boateng still needs time to grow, Gary Cahill can only be used as a substitute, and the only players Gao Shen can rely on are David Luiz and Kompany.
Speaking of Boateng, Gao Shen is full of resentment.
It has been more than half a year, and Gao Shen has repeatedly warned this kid to get rid of those bad habits.
I can’t say that I haven’t made progress, but it’s hard to change my habits.
This is why many head coaches don't like it, or don't have the patience to train players.
Once you slowly train the players, you might be able to sell them.
Even if it’s not sold, well, what about the team’s performance during the training period?
If we really want to say it, apart from the players brought in by Gao Shen, the most cost-effective signings for Manchester City in recent years are Kompany and Zabaleta, especially Kompany.
This deal is truly a great value!
If the Abu Dhabi consortium hadn't taken over, Manchester City would have been unable to retain players like Kompany.
…
After the press conference, Gao Shen returned to the locker room, explained a few words to the coaching staff and players, and then left alone, heading to his and Ferguson's [old place] through the internal passage.
During holidays or when visiting Old Trafford, Gao Shen would send one or two boxes of Chilean wine to Ferguson's home or office.
Recently, home-produced wine has become a gift from Gao Shen.
This is called fat water not flowing into outsiders' fields.
When Gao Shen knocked on the door and came in, Ferguson was already drinking by himself.
At his senior level, losing is not a big problem for him. Even the disastrous defeat like before, he can accept it and digest it quickly.
But every time he saw Gao Shen, he couldn't help but complain a few words, just because the wine was very astringent.
But this guy has a reputation for being upright.
He had praised Gao Shen in the media before, saying that the wine he delivered was good.
This also proves that Gao Shen's long-term bribery policy is still effective.
"I don't know why, but every time I see you, I always feel that you are very insidious. Are you trying to trick me?" Ferguson asked.
