Back home, Manchester United will play an away game against Blackburn Rovers.
Blackburn has already wanted to win at this time. In the eyes of all parties, this is a three-point victory that they should win. This is the same view for the Manchester United club. However, Ferguson still cautiously stated before the game that Blackburn has never been a team that can win.
We have to be careful when dealing with teams that we beat easily.
Despite being unanimously favored, Ferguson still fielded most of his main lineup in the game, with Li Yu as the starting forward and Rooney still sitting on the bench.
Sure enough, the course of the game was exactly as Ferguson said. Manchester United's away game was not easy at all. Blackburn's defense was extremely fierce, which caused a lot of trouble for the Manchester United players.
In the first half, Manchester United players were a little too confident to avoid some big moves. However, the score of 0:0 in the first half also reminded all the players that it is difficult to take advantage of their opponents if they do not try their best.[
Ferguson also pointed this out during the halftime break. Surprisingly, the Manchester United boss did not erupt. However, the calm before the eruption also let the players know that if there is no change in the second half, what awaits them will be even worse.
A violent outburst.
Manchester United finally improved in the second half, and Li Yu also began to become more active. However, even so, Manchester United's goal did not come too early. It was not until 2 minutes before the end that Li Yu scored the goal in a counter-offside move.
The only goal in the game.
1:0, Manchester United defeated Blackburn with difficulty in an away game and scored the key 3 points!
The league champion opponents Chelsea and Arsenal have to play in the FA Cup semi-finals, and the game will be played in three days. Manchester United leads the two teams by 6 points in the standings with one more game, and continues to lead the points.
With the last four rounds of the league remaining, Manchester United is getting closer to winning four consecutive championships.
However, someone wants to cause trouble for Manchester United at this time, and that is Mancini, the head coach of Manchester United's rival in the same city. The 35th round will be the second round of the Manchester derby this season.
After a 5-1 victory over Birmingham City at home, Manchester City is one step closer to qualifying for the Champions League next season. Fans in the Manchester City Stadium should count on their fingers how long it will take for their team to reach the Champions League.
In the Premier League standings, Manchester City has 62 points after 33 league games. Currently, Arsenal, ranked third, has 71 points after 33 league games. With 5 league games left in the season, 9 points
The gap is basically irreversible. Therefore, Manchester City's more practical goal is to maintain fourth place in the league.
Fourth place in the league means qualification for the Champions League play-offs. Among Manchester City's pursuers, Tottenham Hotspur is the closest. Currently, Tottenham has 58 points after 32 games, ranking behind Tottenham.
Yes, it is Liverpool who have accumulated 56 points in 34 games. It can be said that unless a miracle occurs, the Red Army has basically withdrawn from the competition for Champions League seats.
Tottenham, which is closely behind Manchester City, has one game in hand and is 4 points behind. This situation makes Manchester City dare not make any carelessness.
Under such circumstances, the final schedule of both sides will play a vital role. Manchester City's last five games are: Manchester United at home, Arsenal away, Aston Villa at home, and Tottenham Hotspur at home.
Tenham and West Ham away; and Tottenham's last 6 games are: Arsenal at home, Chelsea at home, Manchester United away, Bolton at home, Manchester City away and Burnley away.
Judging from the situation of opponents, there are 4 strong teams among Manchester City's last 5 opponents, and there are also 4 strong teams among Tottenham's last 6 opponents. For Manchester City, the advantage is that they
The game against Chelsea, who are eager to score points, is over, and Tottenham still have to face Chelsea. In addition,
Tottenham have just participated in the FA Cup semi-finals. Three days later, they will face Arsenal, which will be a test for their physical strength. If the two sides cannot open up the gap before May 2, then May 5
The direct confrontation between Manchester City and Tottenham will determine the fourth Champions League spot in the Premier League this season.
However, judging from the momentum, Manchester City is undoubtedly more optimistic.
In the last three Premier League games, Manchester City has scored 14 goals and has continued to perform well like this. Only Chelsea has done this this season (from March 24th to April 3rd, the Blues beat Portsmouth 5-0).
Mouth, beat Villa 7-2, but still conceded 3 goals instead of Manchester City's 2).
Manchester City's offensive power has been unstoppable. In fact, since Mancini took office, Manchester City's performance has been on an upward trend. Currently, Mancini has coached Manchester City for 16 league games, while his predecessor Mark Hughes has played
After 17 games, whether it is progress or not
Regardless of offense or defense, Manchester City's results in the last 16 games are better than the first 17 games. Judging from the collective standing ovation of more than 450,000 spectators at the Manchester City Stadium today, the relationship within the Manchester City team and between the team and the fans can be seen.
The atmosphere was at its best.
But in the final analysis, everything must be down to earth.
At present, the first hurdle before Mancini is the next home game against Manchester United. After a difficult 3 points from Blackburn in this away game, Ferguson has admitted that any 3 points obtained in the final stage of the league will not be achieved.
Easy, he still said that he would beat Manchester City away from home.
As for Manchester City, Vieira said last week: "Since we have reached the top four, we don't want to come out." In the hearts of most Manchester City players, they will never forget that September 20 last year due to Owen
A goal at the last second, Manchester City lost 3-4 away to Manchester United. Therefore, even if
The mentality of revenge will also make Manchester City regard the weekend game as a must-win game. And by then, Rooney is likely to miss due to injury. Without Rooney, Manchester United will still only have Li Yu to support the entire team.
As for the attacking line, whether Manchester City can fulfill their wish still needs to be asked, Li Yu, the killer of Manchester United!
There is good news waiting for Li Yu. On April 15, the Professional Footballers' Federation (PF) announced the nominations for this year's Footballer of the Year. Manchester United forwards Li Yu and Rooney were both selected for the best player and best young player lists, but Li Yu
Yu has become the most popular candidate for the award, and is likely to take the lead in completing 4 consecutive championships for Manchester United in this award (the previous three were Ryan Giggs last year and Luo Luo in the previous two seasons), which will obviously boost Li Yu.
Morale before the Manchester derby.
Different from the 6 nominations listed in previous years, this year there are only 4 candidates for each of the two awards. The finalists for the best player are from the top 5 in the Premier League's total goals and assists rankings this season. Manchester United's two were selected by Li Yu (30
goals, 8 assists) and Rooney (26 goals, 3 assists), as well as Drogba (258) and Cesc Fabregas (1,513) who are the top players on this list.
Lampard (1712), who is tied with Rooney and Tevez on the list, was not nominated. With Li Yu's outstanding performance this season, there is almost no suspense about his final award. The bookmaker has offered an ultra-low odds of 106.
Rooney is the second favorite, with odds of 110, and the other two are both 230. In the poll, the number of fans supporting Li Yu's election is as high as 60%.[
At the same time, Li Yu, Rooney and Xiaofa were also nominated for the best young player. Their competitors were goalkeeper Joe Hart, who was loaned to Birmingham from Manchester City, and Villa midfielder Milner. Since Given is in
Manchester City's main position is unshakable, and Hart has become an unexpected star on loan this season. Milner was described by England coach Capello a few weeks ago as "our most improved player this year."
Li Yu was only 22 years old at the beginning of this season, so he definitely complies with the rules for players under 23 years old to compete for the best young player. Li Yu, who has only been in his debut for a few years, is likely to win two awards at the age of 22. This can be achieved in history
Only Villa forwards Andy Gray in the 1976-77 season and Ronaldo in the 2006-07 season have achieved this feat.
At the same time, good news also came out on Manchester United's official website. Manchester United officially announced that it had extended its contract with "ginger head" Paul Scholes, who has been playing for the team for 17 years, for one year. The new contract will run until June 2011.
Expiration month.
Scholes has played 440 games for the Red Devils and scored 100 goals. He has played 66 times for England and scored 14 goals.
Coach Ferguson, who single-handedly cultivated Scholes, said emotionally: "We are very happy that Paul can play for another year. His performance this year proves that his ability is as strong as before, and he is also enjoying the game wholeheartedly. This is why he retains
Reason for coming down. There are rumors that he has talked about retiring, but when you see how much he enjoys training and playing, you can see how much he wants to continue."
Scholes said: "I'm delighted to have signed for another year. I feel great and I will continue to enjoy football. I would like to thank the boss, coaches and staff, as well as the fans who continue to support me."
Before the Manchester derby, there was all good news for Manchester United.
Looking back at Manchester City, in the match between Manchester City and Everton last month, Manchester City coach Mancini had a physical conflict with the visiting team coach Moyes on the sidelines because of a throw-in near the end of the game. FA 15
He was fined £20,000.
Since Mancini apologized to Moise immediately after the game, and Moise also said he had forgiven Mancini, the FA did not impose a ban on Mancini, but the 20,000 pound
The fine was also suspended until the end of the 2011/2012 season.
In the match against Everton on March 24, Manchester City, which lost 0:2, suffered its first home defeat, which made Mancini very depressed. When the game entered injury time, the Everton head coach deliberately delayed
Moyes took the ball when it went out of bounds; an angry Mancini stepped forward to snatch the ball back and shoved Moise. The referee then sent off both men with red cards.
Moyes said after the game: "Mancini apologized to me after he came to the stands. There is no longer any problem between me and him."
When Mancini realized his mistake, he changed the situation and got along with the Football Association, allowing Manchester City, which was in a critical period of the league, to avoid the penalty of banning the head coach.
The Manchester derby between Manchester City and Manchester United is about to begin.
Less than 24 hours before the game, the Football Association temporarily changed the referee of this game from Bennett to Atkinson, which shocked everyone at Manchester City.
Manchester City fans will never forget Atkinson. In the first round of the derby on September 20 last year, Manchester United played Manchester City at home. Atkinson gave 4 minutes of stoppage time, but he allowed Irving to perform at 95 minutes and 26 seconds.
The last fatal goal made Manchester City's then coach Mark Hughes furious.
The Times said that Bennett, who was originally scheduled to be the referee on duty, is still stranded in Romania. Due to the recent paralysis of European routes caused by the ash from the Eyjfjlljkull volcano in Iceland, Bennett's flight was canceled.
Manchester City officials are not only very dissatisfied with the FA's decision to temporarily change the referee, but more importantly, the FA did not provide any explanation for the decision to temporarily change the referee. It is reported that Manchester City has contacted the chairman of the refereeing committee, Ha
Kurt and Mike Riley in order to demand a formal explanation.
Of course, Manchester City is not the only one who is dissatisfied with Atkinson. Manchester United is also very disgusted with Atkinson. In the 12th round of the league this season, Manchester United lost 0-1 away to Chelsea. After the game, coach Ferguson blasted the referee Atkinson.
Kimson first should not have awarded the free kick that led to Chelsea's goal, and then pointed out that before Terry's header, Drogba brought down Brown in the penalty area.
In the quarter-finals of the 2007-08 FA Cup, Manchester United faced Portsmouth at home. During the game, Atkinson first let go of the opponent's defender Distin for knocking down Ronaldo in the penalty area, and then Manchester United
Goalkeeper Kuzczak was sent off, and finally gave Pompey a winning penalty, resulting in
Sir Alex Ferguson was furious after the game. Sir Alex blasted Atkinson angrily after the game, "Absolutely ridiculous decision (not awarding a penalty to Ronaldo), I can't explain it, I can't think of any reason. The manager should be fired for this."
Will Atkinson continue to officiate games next week? That’s ridiculous. There’s no answer to that question.”
Saturday is coming soon, and Manchester City will usher in the fourth Manchester derby of the season (including the two legs of the League Cup semi-finals) at the Manchester City Stadium. Whether it is a temporary change of referee before the game or Manchester United's efforts to create good news, "Manchester Evening News"
Two veterans who have followed the two teams for a long time and have watched more than 100 derbies in total agreed that "this may be the most important local derby in 40 years."
From the late 1960s to the early 1970s, Manchester City ushered in a glorious period for the club: they first defeated Manchester United to win the league championship in the 1967-68 season, the FA Cup the following year, and the League Cup and European Championship in 1970.
Cup Winners' Cup. This weekend's derby is as good as the derby at that time: for Manchester United, this game is related to the last hope of four consecutive championships; while for Manchester City, it is related to the battle with Tottenham for the top four.
Coincidentally, both teams have problems with strong offense and weak defense this season. From Toure Lescott in the Mark Hughes era to Toure Kompany in the Mancini era, Manchester City has never been able to completely solve the problem.
Defense problem. In the three previous encounters between the two teams this season, Manchester City conceded 8 goals. Although Manchester City beat Burnley and Birmingham in the last two games, they were also succeeded by sneak attacks by their opponents.[
In this campaign, they will encounter Li Yu, the top scorer in the Premier League so far this season. It is also worth noting that Rooney. Although he missed the game against Blackburn last week, he began to resume light training on Monday (12th).
There is hope for a comeback. In the three games against Manchester City this season, Li Yu and Rooney both had enviable performances.
But Manchester City coach Mancini, who has been tested in the Milan derby for a long time, made a strong statement: "It is best if Rooney can play, so that both teams have the strongest lineup, and whoever takes 3 points can be called the real winner of the derby. Rooney is a wonderful player."
Player, he is in excellent form this season. He is always a powerful player
Threat, but we have defeated them once at home this season, why can't we do it again? But I think Manchester United's No. 9 is the one who really decides the fate of the game. I don't understand why some people here always like to talk about Rooney, but they deliberately
I accidentally ignored Manchester United’s No. 9!”
In addition to Rooney, Giggs, who was injured in the game, has also recovered and can return. However, Park Ji-sung, Fletcher and Carrick, who were rested in the game against Blackburn, are expected to return to the starting lineup.
Similar to Manchester United, Manchester City also has an offensive line to be proud of: in the last three league games, they have scored 14 goals against their opponents, showing their strong strength. Tevez, in particular, has scored 28 goals this season, chasing Rooney.
The game is also a battle of revenge for him. In contrast, Manchester United's fragile defense, which may have damaged Ferdinand again, will be tested again.
Before the battle, Mancini chose to deliberately show mercy to Tevez, who was angry. "Carlos is already an important player for us and has improved a lot this season, because he has never scored 28 goals in a season before (two seasons at Manchester United).
(15 goals and 19 goals, 10 goals at West Ham). When you talk about top players, you will compare him with Rooney and Messi. Of course Messi is the most popular now, but Rooney and Tevez are not far apart.
"
Mancini believes: "This is undoubtedly the most important derby in the past many years, because towards the end of the season, Manchester United is competing for the championship, and we are competing for the top four. But for us, ending Manchester United's championship efforts is far less than our own.
The goal is important. This game is not easy for both teams. We'd better focus on doing our own thing and perform at the same level as in the past month. We won 1-0? For me, this score is good enough
, I just don’t know what Sir Alex thinks about it.”
Captain Toure is also full of confidence, "Our forwards and midfield wide players look unstoppable when they attack opponents. We love big scenes. This season we have defeated Manchester United (League Cup), Arsenal and Chelsea at home.
We defeated Chelsea away from home and drew with Liverpool twice. To ensure the top four, we must focus now."
On the one hand, they want the championship and on the other hand, they want a Champions League spot. The destined decisive battle is about to take place!
