Starting with saving Manchester United

"I just came from the team doctor, and he said that Aguero could play tomorrow if needed."

At Manchester City's training ground, in the manager's office, Argentine assistant coach Ruben Cucilias is reporting to manager Pellegrini.

This is Aguero's third injury this season.

He was sidelined for a month in mid-December due to a calf injury.

After recovering from his injury, he was sidelined for a month at the end of January due to a hamstring strain.

On March 13, his knee problem recurred, but this time it was less severe. His expected return date was the 27th.

The derby at Old Trafford was on the evening of the 25th.

The time difference isn't significant.

But it can be used as a surprise weapon!

"He's been playing on and off for the past few months, so his form isn't guaranteed," Pellegrini said, opting for a safer approach.

"We could consider putting him on the bench, but the starting lineup remains unchanged; it's still Dzeko."

Kusilius immediately wrote it down.

"Manchester United have played really well in their last two games, especially after switching to a three-man defense. It was a bold move and solved a lot of problems for the team. Rooney, Fellaini and Juan Mata can all fit into this tactic."

"But the most noteworthy players are Ashley Young and Valencia, who were surprisingly moved to wing-back positions."

Pellegrini's brow furrowed involuntarily as he said this.

It's not uncommon for head coaches to temporarily change team tactics mid-season and have certain players fill in other positions.

But a commotion as big as Yang Fan and Manchester United is absolutely unprecedented!

"They were probably forced into a corner and had no other choice," Kusilius laughed.

Pellegrini nodded. If given a choice, who would be willing to take such a risk?

"Manchester United are still focusing on attacking down the flanks. The 4-4-2 formation isn't working, so we'll stick with the 4-2-3-1 formation."

Manchester City have used two tactics most frequently this season: 4-4-2 and 4-2-3-1.

However, there is a problem with the 4-4-2 formation. Nasri and David Silva are key players, and if they both play, each on the flanks, it will prevent Manchester City's formation from spreading out.

They lost both matches against Barcelona in the same way.

Yaya Touré's forward runs make the attack more three-dimensional, especially in front of the penalty area.

With the two midfielders unable to move, Pellegrini switched to a 4-2-3-1 formation, which immediately led to a winning streak with no goals conceded.

"We have a clear advantage over Manchester United. Our players are stronger, younger, have better passing and movement, and are more physically fit."

Manchester City's Champions League match against Barcelona was played on March 12, while Manchester United's match against Olympiacos was on March 19.

In the past 10 days, Manchester City have only played two games: an away game against Hull City and a home game against Fulham.

Most of them were easy, one-sided victories.

What about Manchester United?

A 0-3 home defeat to Liverpool led to Moyes' dismissal; a crucial Champions League match against Olympiacos; and an away game against West Ham United.

Every single one of them is a life-or-death battle!

Both sides have injuries, but Manchester City's situation is much better.

In particular, the return of captain Kompany after suspension has given Manchester City's defense a significant boost.

Aguero's early return was a game-changer.

And what about Manchester United?

Captain Vidic is still suspended, Evans is still recovering from injury, and then there's the rest of the team—old and young…

Pellegrini was already having a headache just thinking about that rookie.

With this in mind, Pellegrini already had a plan.

"We need to play a fast-paced, attrition-based game at Old Trafford, using high pressing and wide-ranging passes to wear down their stamina!"

Kucilias nodded. "That weekend's away game against Arsenal..."

Currently, Manchester City is competing with Liverpool and Chelsea for the Premier League title.

After 31 rounds of matches, Manchester City is in third place with 67 points, Chelsea has 69 points, and Liverpool has 68 points.

The coming week is very important.

The match against Manchester United is a rescheduled game. If they win, they will have 3 more points, which will allow Manchester City to overtake Manchester United and climb to the top of the table.

The away game against Arsenal this weekend is a battle to defend the top spot.

Arsenal's biggest advantage is that they don't have a game midweek, allowing them to conserve their energy and wait for Manchester City to come south.

These may seem like just two matches, but when viewed within the broader context of the league, they could be considered a decisive battle.

"First, crush Manchester United, then wipe out Arsenal, and snatch the championship in one fell swoop!"

An irrepressible desire flashed in Pellegrini's eyes.

He wants the championship!

……

August 25, night fell.

Southwest corner of Old Trafford stadium.

Manchester United fans have blocked the team bus again!

Despite this, Manchester United have won two consecutive games since Yang Fan took over.

But Manchester United fans still cannot accept that such a rookie with no experience and who has not even passed the most basic coaching exam is their head coach.

The Manchester Evening News, in particular, launched a fierce attack on Yang Fan.

While the attack appears to be directed at Yang Fan, it is actually aimed at Woodward, who is behind Yang Fan.

When Woodward was on the second floor of the stadium and saw the security guards desperately blocking the protesting Manchester United fans at the players' tunnel entrance downstairs, so that Yang Fan and the players could quickly enter the field, he felt a mix of emotions.

Yang Fan's situation is just like Woodward's situation.

"Sir, I don't believe there's no one fanning the flames behind this."

After Yang Fan and the players entered the field, Woodward smiled at Ferguson next to him and said something.

Ferguson didn't give Woodward a friendly look, replying curtly, "Do you really think you did nothing wrong?"

Woodward fell silent.

It depends on his perspective.

If Woodward were to speak on behalf of the Glazer family, he would feel that he had done nothing wrong.

More importantly, he was more on defense than offense.

However, from the perspective of Manchester United's CEO, that is indeed debatable.

"Sir, this is a complicated matter. If you were in my shoes, what would you do? What could you do?"

Ferguson did not answer.

Only children distinguish between right and wrong.

Moreover, all of this is meaningless now.

"Let's go, the two Mr. Glazers have probably been waiting for a long time."

Woodward led the way, with Ferguson following behind.

Whenever he had time, Ferguson would go to Old Trafford to watch every game.

But today, besides watching the game, the main focus is on discussing inviting him to join the advisory group.

It was the same private room as a week ago, the same level of hospitality, and the same worried expressions.

A week ago, the Glazer brothers were worried about being eliminated from the Champions League, which would mean a significant drop in income.

Now the concern is what the fans will do if we lose the game?

"This is the starting lineup for tonight."

Ferguson took the starting lineup from Joel Glazer. It was still sorted by jersey number, but he recognized the starting lineup at a glance.

Goalkeeper: De Gea;

Defense: Smalling, Ferdinand, Phil Jones;

Midfielders: Ashley Young, Cleverley, Carrick and Valencia, up front Fellaini and Rooney;

Forward: Robin van Persie.

Manchester City are still using the 4-2-3-1 formation that Pellegrini has been using recently.

Goalkeeper: Joe Hart;

Defense: Clichy, Demichelis, Kompany and Zabaleta;

Midfield: Fernandinho and Yaya Touré form the double pivot, with Nasri, David Silva and Navas up front;

Forward: Dzeko.

Ferguson also noticed that Manchester City's substitutes included Aguero and Negredo.

That was somewhat unexpected.

Both teams fielded their strongest lineups.

Yang Fan continued with the three-defender formation.

With Vidic suspended and Evans still recovering from injury, the three defenders in the back line are basically set.

"The defense in this game was very worrying," Joel Glazer said, shaking his head.

Avram Glazer and Woodward both immediately looked at Ferguson.

Having managed Manchester United for 28 years, Ferguson knew everything about the Premier League.

"In the previous two matches, whether it was Olympiacos or West Ham United, their strength was just so-so."

"A clean sheet is nothing special. In this match against Manchester City, the defense was indeed the biggest weakness, but..."

Ferguson then changed his tone, saying, "If we choose to retreat and defend in this game, there's no point in playing anymore; we're doomed!"

The Glazer brothers and Woodward were taken aback by Ferguson's certainty.

Are you so sure?

Ferguson glanced at the three men, a hint of arrogance in his eyes, and pointed to the starting lineup.

"Navas is used to operating on the right wing and has speed. If he retreats, allowing Nasri, David Silva, and Yaya Toure to make runs into the box to continuously receive and pass the ball around, it's impossible to defend against him!"

This is what the three Manchester City players excel at.

"But if we push forward, what about the defense?" Woodward asked.

Ferguson didn't answer, but instead gave a cruel sneer. "I'm retired now. I'm sitting in the stands, comfortably enjoying the football game. This kind of thing shouldn't be my problem."

This wasn't a sarcastic remark, but rather Ferguson telling the three of them a fact.

There's never such a thing as having it all on the football field.

If they retreat, Manchester United will surely perish.

Pushing forward might offer a glimmer of hope, but it would also put immense risk on the defensive line.

The former may lose, but the score is still manageable.

The latter cannot be guaranteed.

In the just-concluded 31st round of the Premier League, 44 goals were scored in 10 matches, setting a new record for the most goals scored in a single round in Premier League history.

That's how those high scores in each game came about.

Ultimately, on the football field, skill speaks for itself!

……

"In my opinion, the most satisfying thing in the world is to prove everyone wrong with your abilities and performance when they think you're incapable!"

"Manchester City, from top to bottom, is looking forward to tonight's game."

"They hope to use this match to tell the world that from now on, the skies over Manchester belong to the sky!"

"Then we'll use this match to show them what the Red Devils, Manchester United, really are!"

As soon as Yang Fan finished speaking, the Manchester United players all stood up in unison.

There were no cheers, no roars, but everyone's eyes were filled with unwavering determination.

Yang Fan stood at the entrance to the players' tunnel, hugging each player individually and seeing them off out of the locker room.

Standing at the entrance to the locker room, the deafening roar of more than 7 Manchester United fans inside the stadium echoed from the players' tunnel.

At this moment, Old Trafford is like a volcano about to erupt.

Yang Fan sat in the crater, looking down at the roaring lava.