Starting with saving Manchester United

"The most interesting rule in the Champions League knockout stage is away goals."

In the box where the Glazer brothers were, Ferguson was also unhappy to see his team having a bad start, even being pressured and pressed by Olympiacos, and his tone was not very good.

"With the first leg down 0-2, how to play the second leg will depend on the coach and the team."

"The most crucial difference is whether to try to score first or to ensure that we don't concede a goal."

Ferguson put it very bluntly.

This is the difference in philosophy between offense and defense.

The existence of the away goals rule makes the second leg very interesting.

If the Greek team manages to score just one more away goal, Manchester United will need to score at least four goals in the match.

This is an almost impossible task in the knockout stage of the Champions League.

Especially under the current extremely high pressure.

First, make sure they don't concede a goal. If Manchester United can score two goals, they can equalize the score and at least force the game into extra time.

"Alex, if it were you, what would you choose?" Joel Glazer asked with a smile.

Ferguson didn't think much of it and shook his head slightly. "I would choose to take the initiative and suppress the opponent from the very beginning, demanding that the players keep moving forward, forward, and forward again, until the opponent has no chance to fight back."

If the opponent is unable to retaliate, then there is no risk of conceding a goal.

It has to be said that this style of play is very Ferguson-esque, and very Manchester United-esque!

The Glazer brothers' expressions turned serious.

Because Manchester United has been immersed in Ferguson's philosophy for nearly thirty years.

Despite the turmoil caused by Moyes, even a novice wants to make a change.

……

When the game entered the 6th minute, Olympiacos launched another attack.

After intercepting the ball near the midfield line, he quickly passed it to attacking midfielder Dominguez, number 35.

Domingos took two steps and then passed the ball diagonally to Foster on the left wing.

But this time, Carrick pulled to the side in time, blocking Foster's path.

The Spaniard, a right-footed player, played on the left wing. After controlling the ball, he feinted and attempted to cut inside before sending a right-footed cross into the penalty area.

Olympiacos' starting striker is former Arsenal striker Joel Campbell, who is not tall but incredibly fast and performed exceptionally well in the first leg.

Carrick, however, had anticipated this and blocked the shot from the side.

Forster's right-footed cross hit Carrick and bounced towards the byline.

The Spanish player quickly caught up and, before the ball went out of bounds, intercepted Phil Jones and delivered a cross with his left foot.

He is a right-footed player, and his crosses with his left foot tend to have a high arc and slow speed.

De Gea quickly rushed to the edge of the six-yard box, jumped up, and easily caught the ball.

Old Trafford fans breathed a sigh of relief.

De Gea, holding the ball, first raised his hand, glanced ahead, then quickly rushed out of the six-yard box, ran to the edge of the penalty area, and kicked the ball forward with a long kick.

The football flew over most of the field and landed on the left side of the 30-meter zone in Olympiacos' half of the field.

Fellaini made a quick forward run, and despite missing the best position, he still managed to hold off the opposing center-back Manolas with his body.

When the ball came, the Belgian jumped up and headed it behind him.

The ball was headed directly behind Olympiacos' defense.

Unfortunately, Van Persie's forward run was too slow, and Rooney leaned towards Fellaini, trying to contest for the second ball.

This swift counterattack was completely futile!

"Manchester United's current style of play is very inefficient."

"When we were still playing for Manchester United, although the attacking pace was also very fast, it relied more on passing and movement."

"But now, looking at that attack just now, it seems more like a one-off deal."

"Fellaini is very strong in aerial duels, but there was no one around him."

"More importantly, this style of play is outdated."

"If Fellaini can win the ball and control it in the attacking third, waiting for his teammates to come up, it will be more effective."

……

In another box, Giggs's view clearly differed from that of the commentator, Gary Neville.

"Fellaini has lost his best position and can't win the ball. It's already good enough that he can barely head the ball away."

"But this style of play is simply not suitable for Manchester United."

"Everyone stayed back in their own half, leaving the attacking play to Fellaini, Van Persie, and Rooney."

"But these three people can't think of the same thing at all, and their technical skills don't complement each other."

"Even with Mike Phelan's help, that rookie is only capable of this much; he can't possibly accomplish anything."

"If we keep playing like this, we're guaranteed to lose tonight!"

As they were talking, they saw Olympiacos quickly launch a counterattack on the field.

They still want to attack behind Manchester United's two wing-backs, this time behind Ashley Young.

Perez made a quick diagonal run, received the ball, and delivered a diagonal pass from the right sideline of Manchester United's 30-meter zone, aiming to find Campbell outside the penalty area.

Smalling couldn't stop him at the near post, and Vidic, closely following Campbell in the middle, retreated into the penalty area.

Just as Campbell was about to turn and rush out to receive the ball, Phil Jones made a fierce tackle, passing the ball to the recovering Cleverley.

The latter cleared the ball with a long kick.

This brilliant defensive play earned a standing ovation from the Old Trafford fans.

Phil Neville nodded in agreement, "From a defensive perspective, the approach is correct."

"Vidic and Ferdinand are both quite old now, and they can't maintain such high intensity."

"But Phil Jones and Smalling are very mobile, and their ability to receive and pass the ball, as well as their ability to advance the ball forward, is also good."

"Now we need to have Vidic drop back to help defend, use his experience to lead the defense, and let Smalling and Phil Jones move around to unleash the energy of the young players."

Scholes nodded. "This should be Mike Phelan's suggestion. Back then, when the old man brought in Vidic, he wanted the aging Ferdinand to drop back, while Vidic would press forward to sweep up the defense and support the midfield. It's exactly the same idea."

"So, Smalling and Phil Jones combined are only worth as much as Vidic?"

The question was asked by Lin Rongfu, a wealthy Chinese-American man sitting next to Class 92, wearing a dark suit and white shirt.

He didn't actually understand football; he just used the simplest arithmetic to calculate it.

"Pretty much. A prime Vidic is terrifying," Phil Neville nodded.

From a defensive perspective, using three center-backs makes sense.

However, this leaves the midfield and forward positions with one less player.

Even if they stabilize their defense at home after falling behind 0-2 in the first leg, they still can't win the game.

……

The match started at a fast pace.

Olympiacos took the initiative, launching the first attack in an attempt to secure an away goal.

Manchester United, on the other hand, struggled to cope and even looked quite disheveled.

But Manchester United is Manchester United after all; the players' abilities speak for themselves.

Despite the perilous situation, they held on tightly, preventing Olympiacos from creating any shooting opportunities inside the penalty area.

The match continued at this pace for 10 minutes.

Olympiacos, playing away from home, gradually slowed down their offensive after a brief period of dominance.

Manchester United gradually established themselves and adapted to the intensity of their opponents' attacks and pressing.

Manchester United were able to make their move once the pressure from their opponents eased.

In the 12th minute, Carrick intercepted a pass on the right side of his own half and then sent a long pass behind the defense on the left side of the attacking third.

Van Persie made a quick diagonal run and, ahead of the opposing center-back Manolas, stopped the ball with his foot.

Outside the left corner of the penalty area, Van Persie stopped the ball, slowed down, pretended to cut inside laterally, then suddenly cut the ball to the left and dribbled down the wing with his left foot.

Just as he was about to dribble past his opponent, Manolas decisively tripped Van Persie, bringing him to the ground.

The Dutch referee, Keppers, immediately blew his whistle and waved to Manolas.

Manchester United's free kick in the attacking third!

Center-back Manolas received a yellow card!

The entire audience erupted in cheers.

Rooney took a direct free kick, but it was brilliantly saved by the opposing goalkeeper.

Phil Jones controlled the ball in the penalty area and then shot, but the shot went high.

"Many people might not believe it, but these were the first and second shots of the entire match."

"The game has been going on for 13 minutes now, and the two teams have only managed two shots on goal."

"But it was really intense."

……

"Now that our defense has stabilized, perhaps we can commit some more to offense?"

Steve Lund suggested.

Yang Fan also had this idea.

Manchester United need to score to boost morale and secure qualification.

Moreover, the earlier the goal is scored, the better.

Yang Fan then looked at Mike Phelan, "Mike, what do you think?"

"Ashley Young and Valencia will take turns playing. Just be careful on defense, and there shouldn't be any major problems."

Yang Fan glanced around the field and saw that the lights on the 11 players were almost the same as at the start of the game.

Confidence is also mainly in the yellow light (wait and see).

The 0-2 scoreline from the first leg has put Manchester United under immense pressure.

So Yang Fan immediately went to the sidelines and called for Valencia, who was closest, to come over.

"You and Ashley take turns pressing forward. If you get the chance, be bold and decisive!"

Yang Fan did not let them pay attention to the defense behind them.

He believes in acting decisively and doesn't want players to be hesitant or indecisive.

Crisis is a crisis, but it also presents an opportunity.

You can't have it all!

……

Just three minutes after Yang Fan made his adjustment, in the 15th minute, Manchester United intercepted the ball in their own half and attempted a quick counter-attack.

But Olympiacos' defensive speed is very fast.

Manchester United had no choice but to pass the ball back to reorganize, and the ball was passed back to their defensive line.

Near the halfway line in Manchester United's half, the Greek team began to organize their first line of defense.

But at this point, Manchester United's three-man defense showed their numerical advantage.

When Phil Jones received the ball on the right side outside the center circle, he glanced ahead and immediately passed it diagonally to Cleverley on the left side outside the center circle in the opponent's half. Cleverley controlled the ball and then passed it to Jones.

Ashley Young made a quick forward run down the left flank, reaching the left side of Olympiacos' 30-meter zone and catching up with Cleverley's pass.

Fellaini made a quick forward run and reached out for the ball.

Ashley Young feinted a shot before delivering a through ball with his right foot.

Fellaini, like a heavy tank, charged into Olympiacos' penalty area from the left corner, using his body to hold off center-back Manolas, and with his back to the direction of the attack, he stopped the ball with his foot.

The surrounding defenders panicked and rushed towards Fellaini.

But Fellaini, after leaning on Manolas, stopped the ball and, before three players could close him down, immediately passed it back to Ashley Young, who was cutting inside.

At this moment, Ashley Young is unguarded.

Without stopping the ball with his right foot, he pushed it directly.

Van Persie, near the penalty spot, bypassed another center-back, Marcano, turned to his left, and unleashed a powerful shot with his left foot, meeting Ashley Young's pass.

The football, like a cannonball, pierced straight through the hands of Olympiacos goalkeeper Roberto and nestled into the left side of the goal.

"GOALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL!!!!!"

"Goal!!"

"In the 15th minute, Manchester United have taken the lead against Olympiacos!"

"A goal from Van Persie!"

After taking the shot, Van Persie knew he had the ball!

The moment the ball went into the goal, he roared excitedly and turned to rush towards the stands where the fans were.

Ashley Young, Fellaini, Rooney, and others also chased after them in a frenzy.

The entire Old Trafford stadium erupted in thunderous cheers!

"A truly brilliant ground-based teamwork play!"

"Fellaini acted as a tactical pivot in the attacking third, combining with Ashley Young who made a forward run, creating an opportunity for Van Persie in the middle to take a direct shot."

"Truly worthy of Robin van Persie!"

"The world's top scorer!"

"Give him even the slightest opportunity, and he can turn it into a goal!"

"1 to 0!"

Manchester United players all rushed out and warmly embraced Van Persie on the sidelines, celebrating the goal.

Yang Fan felt as if his whole body had been set on fire the moment Van Persie scored.

Overwhelmed with excitement, he rushed out of his seat, clenched his fists, and roared loudly, releasing all the pressure he had been under these past few days.

Mike Phelan and Steve Lund also came out and hugged him tightly from both sides.

This is football!

However, Yang Fan's years of experience in the workplace had honed his composure and rationality, which quickly brought him back to his senses.

not enough!

not enough!

Far from enough!

Now is not the time to celebrate.

Although they scored a goal, the aggregate score is 1-2, and Manchester United are still not out of the crisis; the situation remains very dangerous.

The danger of scoring away from home, in particular, is like a Damocles' sword, always hanging over our heads.

More importantly, when Yang Fan looked onto the field, he noticed that many players, including Van Persie, Rooney, and Fellaini, had their confidence levels rise significantly.

That's the power of a goal!

It instilled confidence and ignited fighting spirit in everyone!

Morale is up!

Yang Fan immediately went to the sidelines and shouted at the players, "Push forward and keep attacking!"