This game is a life-and-death battle for both teams.

Of course, for Manchester United, it is not a battle of life and death. They have already reached the FA Cup final, the Champions Cup final and especially the Champions Cup final. Once they win the Champions League, then Manchester United have already been successful this season.

But Ferguson couldn't tolerate it, and let that damn Frenchman ride on his head for two years in a row. Before Arsene Wenger took charge of Arsenal, although there were rebel princes, Ferguson did not take them seriously. Because even if those people rebelled for a while, they were just small sparks, which could be extinguished with a flick of Ferguson's hand.

It wasn't until Arsene Wenger arrived in England that Ferguson really felt his dominance in the Premier League was under threat.

So Ferguson wants to teach Arsene Wenger a lesson before he gets really strong at Arsenal. But I didn't expect Arsenal to be strong this year, and they are by far the favourites to win the title. Alex Ferguson would never allow Arsenal to win the Premier League for two years in a row.

So although it is not a battle of life and death, Ferguson is indeed bound to win this game.

And even more so for George. Fourth place is insignificant in the eyes of Manchester United and Arsenal. But for Blackburn, who have been in the relegation zone for three years in a row, a place in the UEFA Cup is crucial. And George is also hoping to use the League Cup quota to attract other players.

Not only that, but George also used this spot to tell his players that they can do well if they want to.

But the battle of life and death was played in the first ten minutes. There weren't many threatening shots on goal and there weren't many pretty scenes.

But fifteen minutes into the game, United suddenly started to push the strings. In particular, Keane, as Manchester United's only midfielder at the moment, has frequently pushed forward. And Ryan Giggs and David Beckham, who have not been playing on the wings, have also suddenly come alive.

Ryan Giggs used his excellent pace and technique to attack Blackburn's right flank. Beckham, on the other hand, has increased his run.

The movement of Manchester United's midfielders, especially off the ball, is very distinctive. Their off-the-ball runs have been able to spot some of the dead spots in Blackburn's defence. George frowned, the United midfielders were definitely the result of playing together for a long time.

The Blackburn players still took George's words to heart, as long as Manchester United had the ball, they would go crazy to grab the ball. But George always felt a sense of awkwardness and some apprehension.

This is Manchester United now, the Manchester United that will never admit defeat. Ferguson has never been a man willing to pretend to be a grandson, and his team lives up to his last name. Manchester United are a team to be reckoned with, and they will never admit defeat. Even against opponents who are stronger than themselves, they will overwhelm them with more powerful momentum.

This is also why after the Glazer took over, Manchester United's strength has slowly declined. However, they still have the best results among the European giants. They are able to maintain the true character of a strong team, relying on this momentum of not admitting defeat.

Soon Blackburn's defence began to have problems, and George was hoping to drain United's energy with his full-court pressing. But the ball is always faster than the man, and in the face of Manchester United's attack, Blackburn's players are more and more restricted.

At this time, the game is gradually getting better.

Thirty-one minutes into the game, United's attack finally came to fruition. Beckham on the right and Neville played a simple link to open the net, and Beckham's cross found Scholes as he rushed into the box.

"Scholes! At this time, there was no one to defend Scholes...... and this header was too simple. Dinjki Cudicini was too late to defend and it was the responsibility of the Blackburn midfielders. How could Scholes be let in so easily. ”

"It's 1-0, and now the initiative of the game is back on Manchester United's side."

Paul Scholes is not a player with a good header, and his greatest power is a powerful long-range shot from the back. Most of his goals came from powerful shots after a sudden start. But that doesn't mean Paul Scholes won't head the ball.

George threw the mineral water in his hand to the ground, and now Blackburn had indeed lost the initiative.

At this time, looking at Ferguson next to him, he was really sitting firmly on the Diaoyu Tai. Just smiled slightly and clapped his hands simply.

Then all of a sudden, the pace of the game started to pick up, and Blackburn was not willing to let that fail. So the rhythm of the two sides suddenly began to be in a fierce confrontation.

"George's thinking can't be said to be wrong, but it's clear that George is still too conservative. In fact, the current Blackburn Rovers do not need to play this kind of defensive counterattack at all, and can compete with Manchester United's midfielder for possession. Unfortunately, George adopted a solid defensive strategy. "Martin. Taylor was critical of George's tactical set-up.

"Yes, George thought Manchester United would be in a hurry to attack. So he wanted to play defensive counter-attack, but unfortunately he forgot that momentum is very important in football games a lot of times. Blackburn himself shrank a step ahead and completely put the initiative in the hands of Manchester United. Manchester United are a mature team. ”

As the two of them analyzed, George now regrets it very much.

George forgot what Taizu said back then, that defense should not be passively defensive, but should be actively defensive. George is a passive defense, waiting for the opponent to concede the ball and then trying to counterattack. This kind of thinking is too negative.

Playing Manchester United should be a more proactive strategy and should not be conceded to the middle.

If the defense is not so passive, it should be blocked in the midfield. Then as soon as you grab the ball, you start attacking. That's the real defensive counter-attack, and it's the right counter-attack for Blackburn right now.

After all, this Blake team was not the Burnley of the year, and the Burnley of the year started by counterattacking defensively. Defensive counterattacks are already deeply rooted in their bones, and playing defensive counterattacks can also work. But now Blackburn are known for their strong midfield control and attacking ability.

Letting them defend and counterattack is in itself tying their hands and feet. And against those teams with weak attacking power, although the defense is average, there is no problem. Relying on the breakthrough ability of a few people in the front court, the effect of playing defensive counterattack is good.

But George forgot that he was facing Manchester United, the undisputed hegemony of the Premier League since its inception. Their offense and defence are among the best in the Premier League. Cutting off their own advantages, how can they win against Manchester United.

Mistakes, mistakes. Just thinking about the situation at Manchester United, just thinking about Ferguson's thoughts. But they don't know how they can beat their opponents.

Fortunately, although Manchester United attacked fiercely in the first half, they did not continue to extend the score advantage.

'First of all, I want to apologize to everyone, it was entirely my responsibility to fall behind in the first half. George's words caused an uproar among the players below. Because George is actually no different from what the media portrays, he is a dead duck with a hard mouth. So even if it's really wrong, it's rare to apologize.

Therefore, they will be surprised to hear George's words. But George didn't pay any attention to them.

'It's because I was wrong, our team shouldn't be playing such a negative game, it's not our style of play. George admitted his mistake at the beginning, and the first half of the game made George understand that his deployment was really wrong.

'In the second half we adjusted a little bit and we started fighting in the midfield. George drew a circle near the midline. 'We don't retreat, we defend from this position when we defend. Then use the pass to mobilize them, not to be mobilized by them. ”

"The ball is always faster than the man, move them with the pass. When attacking, don't worry about anything. Just play the way we normally play. ”

George thought of it, and let them hold back, it was better to let the players let go of the play. Use the numerical advantage of the midfielder to beat them back. Of course, attacking like this will put a lot of pressure on the backline. Especially in the face of the dark wind of York and Cole, the Blackburn back line will have to play with 120,000 points.

"There's nothing to worry about now, we're lagging behind. If we want to take our destiny into our own hands, we must not lose this game. So give up all your thoughts and try to score goals. ”

Now the pressure is on George because there's already news of a new score on the other field. Leeds United are 1-0 up at home to Arsenal, with Blackburn Rovers now just one point clear of Leeds United. Leeds will play West Ham United in their next game, while Blackburn Rovers will travel to Arsenal.

It's clear that Leeds will have an easier game next and it's not a joke against Arsenal at Highbury. Especially if this game is lost, then the points gap between Arsenal and Manchester United is only one point. At that time, for the sake of the championship, Arsenal will not have to fight to the death with Blackburn.

So for the sake of the UEFA Cup spot, this game must not be lost.

George started the second half with Klose for Bellamy and Pire for Romerdal. The intent of the all-out attack is very obvious.

Blackburn's players knew this, so as soon as the second half began, Blackburn Rovers began to counterattack. Blackburn's attack is very unusual in English football and even in world football. So once the attack started, it was very different from the first half.

Miku and Deco, who felt very awkward in the first half because of defensive tactics, began to release their strength in the second half. Miku is twenty-five years old and is starting to move towards his peak form. But Deco is still young, and there is a gap in strength compared to Keane and Scholes alone.

But Miku and Deco combined have increased their control in midfield many times over.

Even in front of a world-class midfielder like Keane, the two of them can control the ball and pass the ball freely. Although because of the presence of a strong midfielder like Keane, it is impossible to pass the lethal threat ball. But in terms of ball control in midfield, Blackburn is no less than Manchester United.

Manchester United's style of play is still very direct, without any complicated passing or coordination. York, Cole controlled the first point in the box, and Scholes would step in to control the second. It's simple, but it's threatening.

In comparison, Blackburn's offense is much more complex and cumbersome.

But whether it was Manchester United's big opening and closing or Blackburn's brilliant combination, the second half suddenly looked much better.

(To be continued)