3-0, this score is an expected result for most fans. After all, Manchester United has defeated its opponents at Old Trafford eight times in a row. The last time Bolton won the championship here was back in September 2001.
moon.
However, this reasonable victory has special meaning for Manchester United. After two consecutive defeats in the league and the embarrassing escape from the Etihad in the FA Cup last weekend, the Red Devils need a hearty game.
A big victory to boost morale.
Now, having played one more game, Manchester United has tied Manchester City in league points and reduced the goal difference disadvantage to single digits (8 points). With the gradual recovery of the injured, the Red Devils have overcome the most difficult situation.
During this period, Ancelotti's team officially entered the counterattack stage of late-stage efforts.
Although Ancelotti has repeatedly emphasized that the team will not make any purchases during the winter break, Scholes's return is no less than any big-name midfielder in the transfer market. Manchester United's meritorious player Ray Wilkins said
Scholes' return is a "signing worth £25m".
For the first time since his comeback, Scholes made his first appearance as a main player in the game. His shot in front of the goal at the end of the first half opened the door to victory for the team and helped the Red Devils achieve consecutive goals.
The perfect data of scoring in 41 home games has created a new record in the 20 years since the establishment of the Premier League, and is far from the team's record of scoring in 42 consecutive home games between February 1955 and February 1957.
The record is just one step away.
In the end, Manchester United won a resounding victory without any doubt, and the solid defense also allowed Sir Alex Ferguson to keep an opponent clean for the 600th time since coaching Manchester United. Giggs, Ferdinand, Park Ji-sung, Evra, Carrick, etc.
Everyone is over thirty years old; De Gea, Phil-
Jones and others still need time to grow; the Red Devils have too many injuries. At most, there are as many as 11 injured players in the first team. It can be said that they are a team of old, weak, sick and disabled. However, with such a team, they have played until today.
Tiing Manchester City in the standings once again verified Ancelotti's magic.
Currently, Manchester United only ranks second in the league with a goal difference disadvantage. Although the image of the Red Devils as a strong leader has been deeply rooted in the hearts of the people, in fact, the second place is not an unfamiliar position for Manchester United. You must know that Manchester United has won the Premier League 12 times.
Among the championship experiences, eight of them were ranked second in the league before Christmas, and finally came back to win the championship.
These valuable experiences will undoubtedly play a huge role in boosting Manchester United's competition for the league title this season. Ferguson said: "The rise of Manchester City is undoubtedly the biggest difference this season. They have replaced the previous players of Chelsea or Arsenal.
role, and in the first half of the season
With fantastic performance, according to this trend, we may have to get much higher than 80 points in the league, or even 90 points to win the league championship. This is definitely an absurdly high score, because in recent seasons,
It's very common for teams to drop points against each other."
You know, Manchester United won the 20th top league championship in team history with only 80 league points last season, and this season, Manchester City scored a crazy 45 points in the first 19 games, with a total of 38 games throughout the season.
, hence the "90 points" winning score line.
But Ancelotti also said: "I often say that Manchester City cannot maintain such a point-grabbing efficiency. Of course, we will also lose some points. I think the final score of both teams will not reach the two points scored in the first half of the season."
Times, we also have to challenge Arsenal, Chelsea, Tottenham, and Manchester City away from home. In these games, we may be tied with our opponents or even lose. The competition for the league championship is such a long and arduous task. In my opinion, the league championship will eventually be ranked among the top of the league.
Produced by three teams (Manchester City, Manchester United, Tottenham)."
Among these three teams, Manchester United undoubtedly has the richest experience in late-game development.
Since the establishment of the Premier League, Manchester United has scored more points in the second half than the first half in 12 of the 19 seasons. The 2003 season was the most exaggerated. Manchester United's average score before January of that season was only 1.81 points. However, starting from January,
The Red Devils grabbed points with an astonishing efficiency of 2.65 points per game. The average points per game was a terrifying 0.84 points more than in the first half, and finally achieved a season reversal from being 9 points behind Arsenal at its peak to being crowned with a 5-point advantage.
.
Similarly, after reversing Newcastle in the 9596 season and Liverpool in the 0809 season, Manchester United's average points per game after January were 0.46 points and 0.49 points respectively higher than before January. After 19 seasons, Manchester United's average points in the second half of the season was as high as 2.19 points.
Such explosive stamina gave Manchester United enough confidence to shout the slogan of overtaking Manchester City.
Manchester United general Ferdinand is also confident in the team's reversal in the second half of the season, and believes that the team's ability to hold on to Manchester City despite constant injuries reflects its championship heritage of being better than its opponents. Ferdinand accepted the official website of Manchester United
He said in the interview: "I don't think there is any crisis in the team at the moment, so it is too early to talk about the ownership of the championship, but now we are closely united and working for the same goal.
We strive hard to achieve our goals. Every team will experience ups and downs in a season. I hope that the troughs of Manchester City and Tottenham can last longer, so that when our injured players gradually recover, we will have a great chance.
Turning defeat into victory. You must know that no other team in the Premier League has suffered such extensive injuries as we have, and it is impossible to achieve the results we have now, which fully reflects our strong strength."
The recovery of injured players, the return of Paul Scholes, the elimination of their arch-rivals in the FA Cup, and the leveling of points with their opponents in the league, all signs indicate that in this protracted Manchester derby of the season, Manchester United has gradually come out of its previous decline and regained its foothold.
Back on the same starting line as Manchester City.
All Ancelotti's team has to do is maintain the current state and continue to put pressure on Manchester City, just like they did in the past when they reversed Newcastle, Arsenal and Liverpool. If the leading Manchester United makes their opponents desperate, then the chasing
Manchester United suffocated their opponents. For Manchester City, this is definitely a formidable opponent. As long as the Blue Moon Army makes a single mistake, the bloodthirsty Red Devils will be able to smell the 21st top league championship.
The next game is the biggest obstacle that prevents Manchester United from winning the championship.
Manchester United coach Carlo Ancelotti said Sunday's away game against Arsenal is the beginning of a series of important games, and the next three weeks will be extremely critical for the Red Devils.
Manchester United will have three strong dialogues in the next four league games, against Arsenal, Liverpool and Chelsea. In addition, Manchester United will also visit Anfield to face the Red Army in the FA Cup next weekend. Ancelotti believes that these games may
Determine the trend of Manchester United's season. "Sunday's game against Arsenal is a start. We will enter a busy period, with two goals against Liverpool and another game against Chelsea. These are exciting games and I hope we can
Getting through this period well could determine a lot of our season."
"These are not going to be easy games, but they're not going to be easy games for our opponents either. They're going to look at Manchester United and say: 'Oh, another tough game is coming', and we're going to think the same.
.”
Ancelotti also said that the game against Arsenal will no longer be full of excitement, and the two teams will face this contest relatively calmly.
Manchester United and Arsenal have had very heated conflicts in the past. The most famous one was the confrontation between Roy Keane and Vieira in the Highbury tunnel in 2005.
But Ancelotti said that the competition between the two teams in recent years has been relatively peaceful and there will no longer be such heated scenes. "If you want to find heated scenes, you need to go back to a few years ago, when Keane and Vieira were in the tunnel.
There was that time," Ancelotti said. "In the last three years, the situation has been different and everyone has calmed down."
Regarding Arsenal's style of play, Ancelotti said: "Wenger has not changed his football philosophy. He leads the team in his own way, which has benefited Arsenal for a long time. Now Wenger has different styles in his hands.
The players, they are very young, but they still insist on the same style of play and still want to play pleasantly. After 2-8, Arsenal recovered well. They had a good momentum and advanced to the knockout rounds of the Champions League.
So you have to say they didn't do a bad job."
Henry and Scholes completed their returns for the two teams. Ferguson commented: "Henry and Scholes are both unreplicable players. To be fair, Henry has been playing for the New York Red Bulls, so there are no physical problems.
.We have great confidence in Scholes, because after all, he participates in training every day. Of course, he needs to catch up a little bit in physical condition, but he seems to have no problem now. For him, his comeback is an exciting time.
Amazing turn of events."
Mexican forward Hernandez has had a mediocre performance this season, and Ancelotti believes that the little pea is close to breaking out. "Hernandez has his own situation this season. He experienced a concussion and later another head injury.
Then came the ankle injury and his season hasn't really been on track yet but he's looking good now and if we can get him back on track he'll be a great reinforcement and we all know he can score goals and it will be
It helps the team.”
Talking about Manchester United's current personnel situation, Anshuai said: "With so many injuries, we can reach this point. It should be said that we have done very well. Obviously, I do not expect Fletcher to return.
He's thought to be out for the rest of the season, as is Vidic. But if other guys can come back, I think we'll still have a good squad."
"Physical fitness is very important in the sprint phase. There is no doubt that if we go through the next six games and are still in a good position, then in March and April, those who are injured but whose physical fitness is guaranteed
The returning players will bring a difference to the team, I am sure of this."
Before the game against Arsenal, Manchester United right winger Valencia's recovery made the whole team happy. Li Yu believed that the Ecuadorian had made a great comeback, which was the happiest thing for a forward like him.
"Valencia has played very well recently," Li Yu said. "He has returned to his best form. When he plays at this level, it is difficult to defend him. For a forward, this
It's a good thing because he's so good at getting the ball into the penalty area quickly."
"Now the team is starting to create a lot of chances again. There was a period when we only won 1-0, but it was equally important. We had to defend at that time to preserve the victory, and now we are starting to score a lot of goals again."
Valencia himself missed the 8-2 victory over Arsenal due to injury. He said that this time against the Gunners, the opponent will definitely have a psychological shadow. "That is a historic score, which the fans will always remember.
The score, it's impossible to repeat it, but psychologically it could have an impact. Arsenal will want revenge on us, they also need points to close the gap to the top four and we have to play smart,
Make sure you take advantage of your opportunities.”
"Arsenal's biggest strength is the midfield and the way they link up the attack, but they have problems at the back and that's something we need to exploit. When it comes to Arsenal's attack, we need to stop Van Persie and Henry is a new factor.
, I don’t know if he will start, but whenever he comes on, he will be very motivated.”
"We are second in the table now and the goal is to win the title. Nothing has been decided yet. The pressure may affect Manchester City and we are ready to rush in front of them. Tottenham are also doing well this season. They are in a good position.
In the championship ranks, it will be very threatening, but Manchester United is used to fighting for the championship and will never give up. Scholes is back, and his return is a great benefit to us. As for me personally, my goal
It is to stay in the main lineup and help Manchester United win the league championship, which is also what people expect from us."
Arsenal will face Manchester United at home on Sunday. Gunners coach Arsene Wenger said before the game that the referees' decisions were extremely unfair to Arsenal and his team paid a lot for it.
The referee for the battle between Arsenal and Manchester United has been confirmed to be Dean, and the Gunners have not won in the last 10 Arsenal games he has officiated. Wenger took this opportunity to talk about the refereeing issue, believing that the Gunners have suffered a lot of unfair enforcement recently. "
I think if there's one team that's been treated badly recently, it's Arsenal and I don't want to talk too much about that."
"We were unlucky with some of the penalties, against Fulham, against Swansea, because against Swansea we were given a penalty, God knows what, it was a good dive, like
What I said after the game: Against Fulham, Gervinho had a deserved penalty, but the referee didn't award it. Things like this can happen, and they have happened in the past two games we played."
"We hope to get the right decision. Pires dived against Portsmouth and it was mentioned in the newspapers for six months. Dale (Swansea player) dived against us and no one mentioned it.
You can't say that treatment is equal. If Dell's flop is fine, why is Pires in trouble?"
Talking about the game against Manchester United, Wenger said: "The loss to Manchester United was a shame, but we rebounded. The important thing about this game is that you are not fighting for revenge, you are playing to win."
A normal game."
Regarding the match against Manchester United, main forward Robin van Persie said that he hopes the pain of being defeated 8-2 by the Red Devils at Old Trafford can be erased after this game.
"The last thing I want to do is make excuses. That game was played and we can't erase it from history," Van Persie said. "I've never experienced a defeat like this before since I've been playing for Arsenal.
"Losing is never a good thing. We tried our best that day, but it was just not good enough. I have to be honest, it is really painful to lose with that score."
"But now that has become history, we are all looking forward to Sunday's game. In football, you always get new opportunities to correct the past. For the spirit of the team and more importantly for the fans, we want to
To get this done. We will never forget how great the support of the fans was, even after that 2-8 game, they still gave us support and we want to make it up to them."
"There is no doubt that the game against Manchester United is the highlight of our season, but all games are important. We still have a chance to compete for the championship. There are still seventeen rounds. We just need to play one game at a time.
They try their best every time they play. It will always be difficult to play against Manchester United. No matter which eleven players they send out, they will be very strong and difficult to beat. Like us, Manchester United has also suffered a lot of injuries in the defense this season, but they have adjusted
Well, it would be a mistake to underestimate them."
"We know that if we want to get three points from this game, we have to be at our best. Everyone at Arsenal is focused on winning this game. We must perform well as individuals and work as a team.
Beat Manchester United."
Arsenal unexpectedly lost to Swansea 2-3 last week and their chances of reaching the top four were thwarted, but Robin van Persie remained optimistic. "I will not give up on entering the Champions League, not at all. I hope we can prove it by defeating Manchester United.
Give it to everyone, and we still have a chance to win the Champions League and FA Cup this season, and there is still a lot to strive for this season."
Talking about his scoring data, Van Persie said that what is more important is the honor of the team. "You know, I am willing to use any of my goals in exchange for a trophy this season. I really am willing, I know I
The goal rate is good and I'm proud of it, but I wouldn't have been able to achieve this without the help of all my teammates. But success at Arsenal will be more meaningful to me and make me more proud.
A team sport, it’s not about individual performance, it’s about being successful as a team, that’s what I want most.”
Like Van Persie, Arsenal star Ashavin also believes that 2-8 has become a thing of the past and the Gunners are not afraid of Manchester United. Ashavin said: "Manchester United is very strong, but at home, we are also capable of defeating any opponent. I hope we can win this time."
We do it. If we play well, we don't care what form Manchester United is in. At the Emirates Stadium, you can feel more support from the fans and more fear from the opponents. I think it is easier to play at home."
"Manchester United started the season really well and they looked like they were way ahead of everyone else, but at the moment they are not anymore, Manchester City are above them."
Teammate Arteta also expressed his desire to defeat Manchester United. "Of course, the experience at Old Trafford was very, very painful for the team. When I joined, I could clearly see it on the faces of my teammates.
It can be seen, but we have not lost confidence. We maintain confidence and tell ourselves that we can get out of the predicament. I hope we can perform well against Manchester United this time."
Gunners goalkeeper Szczesny, who was scored eight times by Manchester United in the 2-8 game, expressed his desire to make up for his regrets in this game. He said: "Obviously I want to apologize for what happened at Old Trafford last time.
Things have to be made up for, so I am very looking forward to and excited about this game. In our minds, there is still that game, and we want to make up for it. What we have to do is focus and ensure that we play the best state, 2-2
8 will be our motivation, but once we get on the court, we forget about it."
