Starting with saving Manchester United

Chapter 105 Wenger's defenses crumbled!

Ferguson ultimately did not attend the charity awards ceremony.

This is indeed quite regrettable.

But this did not affect the atmosphere of the event, especially the awards ceremony.

The gala was broadcast live simultaneously on Manchester United TV's official website in seven languages.

The first awards presented were for two young players: the best youth player of the year and the best reserve team player of the year.

Yang Fan didn't recognize either of the two award-winning players.

One of them is named James Wilson, who is said to be an English striker.

The other one is named Sedi Janko, a Swiss player of African descent who plays right-back. He is said to have transferred from Zurich's youth team in the summer of 13.

But Yang Fan didn't know either of these two people at all.

On the contrary, the other two names that Yang Fan remembered, Scott McTominay and Marcus Rashford, were not selected in this selection, perhaps due to their age.

Both winners are 18 years old.

In addition, this also reflects the risks of youth training.

A child prodigy may not necessarily achieve greatness as an adult.

Even the best youth academies in the world are considered quite remarkable if they can consistently produce one or two players who can establish themselves in the top leagues each year.

The ability to consistently develop players who can establish themselves in top-tier teams is truly exceptional.

It is extremely rare for a training system like Barcelona's La Masia, Ajax, or Manchester United's Class of '92 to produce a group of outstanding youth players in the same period of time.

It's even something that can only be encountered by chance.

The Goal of the Year was awarded to Rooney, who scored that long-range shot from half-court shortly after Yang Fan took over the team.

The two most prestigious awards of the evening, Sir Matt Busby's Player of the Year and Manchester United players' Player of the Year, were both given to De Gea.

This is well-deserved!

Judging from his performance throughout the season, De Gea certainly deserves the award.

The evening after the awards ceremony, Yang Fan led his team south to prepare for the final game of the season.

3 PM, May 11, Norwich City, Carroll Road Stadium.

In the 38th round of the Premier League, Arsenal will play away against Norwich.

From the moment referee Lee Mason blew the whistle to start the match, Wenger's heart was in his throat.

Norwich, playing at home, showed no politeness and immediately began pressing Arsenal's defense relentlessly.

Neil Adams stood on the sidelines the whole time, waving his hands and shouting for the team to press forward.

At first, Wenger was able to sit calmly in the away team's bench.

But just four minutes later, the Gunners' weak defense made a fatal mistake.

Jenkinson, a name destined to be remembered by countless fans this season, made another fatal mistake at the most crucial moment.

His loss of possession allowed Norwich's left winger, Redmond, to seize the opportunity, break into the Arsenal penalty area, and deliver a brilliant pass to striker Elmond.

The latter arrived quickly, bursting out from between Koscielny and Sagna, and calmly slotted the ball home to give Norwich the lead!

1 is better than 0!

In an instant, the entire Carroll Stadium erupted in cheers!

"Well done!"

"Well done, guys!"

"Kill Arsenal!"

Neil Adams was completely oblivious to everything and was screaming over there.

In order to avoid relegation, he didn't even care about maintaining his dignity.

Wenger stood up from the coach's bench, walked straight to the sidelines, and wanted to yell at the players on the field, but he couldn't yell at them because he didn't know who he should yell at.

Is it Sagna, the right-back who plays center-back?

Or is it the young player Jenkinson?

In the end, Wenger found that there was nothing he could do.

"Damn it!"

The professor came back.

"How's it going at St. Mary's Stadium?"

Primorac shook his head. "It's only been 5 minutes, and there's still no progress over there. The match is very intense."

I guessed it!

Wenger understood.

Pochettino's team is no pushover.

Especially that midfield setup.

The midfield trio of Wanyama, Schneiderlin, and Jack Cork was truly formidable and tough.

The backline, with José Fonte and Lovren forming a central defensive partnership, along with Luke Shaw and Clyne on the flanks, made for a well-known defensive line in the Premier League.

Manager Mauricio Pochettino's outstanding performance at Southampton caught the eye of Tottenham Hotspur.

They will take over White Hart Lane this summer.

In this final match, and again at home, neither Pochettino nor Southampton will give Manchester United any leeway.

If Manchester United draws or loses, Arsenal's situation will be much easier.

Because the conditions for Manchester United to overturn Arsenal are extremely demanding.

Arsenal must lose, and Manchester United must win; both conditions are indispensable.

As Wenger was thinking this, Norwich launched another attack on the pitch.

Raymond suddenly unleashed a long-range shot, startling Wenger so much that he jumped up from his seat as if he had been electrocuted.

Fortunately, Szczesny reacted quickly and made a diving save.

"Damn it! Is Norwich on drugs today?"

Primorac gave a wry smile.

Better than taking drugs!

The ensuing corner kick posed no threat, but Wenger still quickly walked to the sidelines to make adjustments.

After Arsenal were on the back foot from the start, they struggled to break through and could only hold off their opponents' attacks.

How miserable is it?

Arsenal, a team of great stature, were pushed back to the brink of elimination for the first 30 minutes against a relegation-threatened team, failing to even register a single shot on goal.

It wasn't until the 31st minute that Giroud delivered a brilliant one-two pass, allowing Podolski to break into the penalty area one-on-one.

As a result, the shot was saved by the onrushing goalkeeper Rudy.

Wenger was so angry that he started cursing.

"A single sword! It's a single sword!"

"You're just going to squander it so carelessly?"

However, Wenger also realized that Norwich's strength was limited.

After a strong start that resulted in a goal, they're now starting to falter.

Arsenal gradually stabilized and began to turn the tide.

For a period of time afterward, Arsenal launched a series of attacks and created chances, but they were unable to score.

The most outrageous one is Giroud.

In the 44th minute, he received a brilliant pass from Mesut. Facing the goalkeeper who had already lost most of the goal, he only needed to gently push the ball in, and the ball was in.

But the result?

He was actually beaten to a pulp!

Wenger was completely taken aback.

"Where the hell did I find a center like this?"

"When it really matters, they're all incredibly unreliable!"

In the final ten minutes or so, Arsenal's attacking players were practically showing off their skills in the most difficult ways to send the ball out of the goal.

Wenger is truly impressed!

"If we lose our Champions League qualification, it's all your fault, you bastards!"

Ultimately, at the end of the first half, Arsenal were trailing Norwich 0-1.

If Wenger's defense was completely breached in Norwich, then Yang Fan at St. Mary's Stadium in Southampton must have been truly frustrated.

Throughout the first half, Manchester United had over 6% possession and created more shooting opportunities, but they were unable to break through Southampton's defense.

Saints are truly tenacious!

It's really hard!

When Yang Fan returned to the locker room, he received news that Arsenal were trailing 0-1, and made a decision on the spot.

Replace him!

"Carrick, come on and replace Shinji Kagawa!"

"We need to intensify our attack in the second half!"

Yang Fan slammed his fist on the table in the locker room and shouted.

Arsenal are down 0-1, while Manchester United are tied 0-0.

Regardless of the final outcome at Carrow Road, Manchester United must defeat Southampton.

"We can only discuss Arsenal's result after we win the game!"

"If Norwich does indeed snatch a victory against Arsenal at home, as we hope, but we can't beat Southampton, what's the point?"

Yang Fan's stern questioning reignited the fighting spirit of the Manchester United players in the locker room.

The last 45 minutes, the last hope!

If we don't fight now, when will we?

This is not just about Manchester United's revenue from qualifying for the Champions League; it's about every single one of them and whether they can trigger the Champions League clause in their contracts. It's relevant to everyone!

"Southampton are indeed very tough and difficult to deal with, but we are tougher and stronger than them!"

After the break in the second half, Manchester United took the initiative and launched an attack.

Southampton's strategy is also defensive counter-attacking.

Relying on Wanyama, Schneiderlin and Cork in midfield to stabilize the defense, while letting Adam Lallana and Lambert launch counter-attacks up front, this caused a lot of trouble for Manchester United's backline.

More importantly, they have plenty of physical energy.

Manchester United played an extra game midweek, a tough match against Hull City.

Although it was supposed to be a rotation, it still affected the team's overall performance to some extent.

And luck doesn't seem to be on Manchester United's side.

In the 54th minute of the second half, Manchester United were awarded a free kick just outside the right side of the penalty area.

After consulting with Juan Mata, Van Persie decided to take the penalty, aiming directly for the top right corner of the goal.

As a result, it hit the crossbeam and bounced back onto the field.

Rooney then had a header that found the back of the net and went in, but it was ruled offside.

Manchester United's prolonged attacks failed to break through Arsenal's defense, while Arsenal launched a furious counter-attack in the second half and scored in the 62nd minute.

Guess who scored the goal?

It was none other than Jenkinson, the right-back who was destined to be nailed to the pillar of shame!

Who can I complain to?

The most unexpected person scored!

The score at Carroll Road Stadium is now 1-1.

Yang Fan took a deep breath and made his second substitution.

"Marouane, once you're up there, push forward! No matter what method you use, even if you get your head bruised and bleeding, you have to break through the Saints' goal!"

In the 65th minute, Yang Fan substituted Fellaini for the returning Ferdinand.

In this way, Manchester United effectively only have two center-backs, Vidic and Michael Keane.

Carrick simply dropped back to play the role of a center-back.

Pochettino sensed the danger and immediately made two crucial substitutions.

In the 68th minute, Ward-Prowse replaced Adam Lallana to strengthen the midfield defense.

Dutch center-back Joss Hojverd replaced Luke Shaw.

Hoyverd is a left-footed center-back, tall and imposing, and he appeared on the left flank.

Pochettino's two substitutions both clearly signaled a strengthening of the defense.

Yang Fan glanced around the field and found that the Manchester United players were generally in high spirits and had green lights above their heads. He immediately made a decision and went to the sidelines.

"Attack down the right flank, on the side of the Dutch center-back who came on as a substitute. Drag the defense over there, then pass diagonally to the far post so Fellaini can go up and head the ball!" Yang Fan called Fletcher to the sidelines and gave him instructions.

Why Fellaini?

Because the Belgians are in high spirits right now.

More importantly, the scene where Fellaini outmaneuvered Alex Bruce during the previous match against Hull City left an extremely deep impression on Yang Fan.

He believes Fellaini will definitely bring surprises!

In addition, he also had a backup plan.

This is the last substitution; if all else fails, bring on Hernandez.

Mexicans are clever; they might just find a way to seize an opportunity.

Yang Fan's adjustments were quickly relayed to the field.

In the 76th minute, Manchester United created an attacking opportunity.

Juan Mata delivered a through pass to the right side of the penalty area near the byline.

Van Persie made a quick diagonal run and intercepted the ball near the byline.

The Dutchman attempted a one-on-one challenge against José Fonte, dribbling the ball from the byline into the penalty area, but without success.

The ball was blocked by Fonte.

Fortunately, Van Persie reacted quickly enough to step back, protect the ball, pass it back to Valencia, and then to Juan Mata.

At this moment, Mata receives the ball on the left side of the penalty area.

Rooney has appeared on the right side of the penalty area, attracting Lovren's attention.

Mata glanced at the left edge of the penalty area and saw Fellaini. He immediately dribbled the ball sideways and cut inside, drawing a double-team from Wanyama and Schneiderlin.

Pochettino isn't stupid, and Southampton's defenders aren't idiots either.

Will they be unable to figure out Manchester United's intentions?

Fellaini is such a big guy standing there, and Mata, a left-footed player, is cutting inside from the right wing. What is he trying to do? Don't they know?

No, they know perfectly well.

Therefore, this joint defense was very successful.

Just when they thought they had succeeded, Mata suddenly passed the ball back.

Just as Schneiderlin and Wanyama were taken aback, Fletcher suddenly stepped forward, and in an unmarked position, first stopped the ball with his right foot, then curled a cross diagonally towards the right side of the penalty area.

Almost simultaneously, Fellaini surged forward like a heavy tank, charging into the left side of Southampton's penalty area.

Fellaini leaped up, overpowering Jack Kirk and Steve Davis, and headed the ball powerfully towards the left side of Southampton's goal, meeting Fletcher's pass from close range.

Goalkeeper Borucci reacted quickly, immediately diving to his side to avoid the danger.

But in the end, it was still a step too late.

The ball slipped past Borucci's hands and into Southampton's goal!

Boom!

The moment Fellaini landed, it felt as if the entire earth and everyone's hearts trembled!

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