Chapter 104 Companionship Leave

On 10 January, Manchester United travelled to play league rivals Blackburn Rovers in 19th place, who currently sit seventh in the table and are likely to qualify for next season's European competition.

Blackburn Rovers manager Martin? Joel made his voice heard early: "We are working hard for the goal of entering Europe next season, so we will fight hard against any opponent, we just want to be in the top six at the end of the season, even if the opponent is the strongest team in England and even in Europe, the world, with the home fans with us, 0 we will still play with high morale." ”

But in football games, the first thing to compare is strength, although occasionally when the weak team upsets and beats the strong team, but the difference in strength is as big as between Manchester United and Blackburn, then it is really any luck and no state can affect the result of the game.

At Blackburn's home stadium at Ewood Park, Shaq sealed the course of the game just two minutes into the game, he received a pass from Cleverley in front of the big penalty area on the right side of Blackburn, dribbled horizontally to the left and took it to the top of the right arc, and hit the ball into the bottom left corner of the Blackburn goal with a left-footed "tom...... A TYPICAL "SHAQ GOAL".

On 18 minutes, Cleverley created a free-kick from outside the box on Blackburn's left side, and Shaq kicked a reinforced version of the 'Bees' arc that spun into the top left corner of the Blackburn goal...... 2:0！

In the 74th minute of the second half, Shaq formed a tacit understanding with Nani on the right side, accepted Ni's pass after the successful anti-offside, and scored with his left foot in the upper right corner of the goal in the right penalty area, and the score became 3:0!

The more than 3,000 Manchester United fans who came with the team did not carry a roll of red canvas in vain, but this time they happily laid out the painting three times in the stadium of Ewood Park.

The home side scored a penalty in the 79th minute through No.6 Serbian left-back Tadic. In the end, he lost to the "Red Devils" 1:3 without any suspense.

After this round of league matches, Manchester United continues to top the table with an unbeaten record of 19 games, 18 wins and 1 draw and 55 points, while the "Blues" Chelsea is second with 21 games, 15 wins, 3 draws and 3 losses with 48 points, and the "Blue Moon" Manchester City is third with 45 points from 20 games, 14 wins, 3 draws and 3 losses.

Overall, there hasn't been much change in the Premier League this season, with the Red Devils Manchester United still as strong as last year. Far ahead of the standings, although Chelsea and Manchester City performed better than last year, they still had to bow their heads in front of Manchester United.

The Red Devils have been playing more frequently this season than they did last season, and after this round of league games, they are preparing for the first leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final against Leeds United, this time with United visiting Elland Road before returning to Old Trafford to play at home.

Simon? Grayson had already set up a rotation early on in order to be able to field United's strongest squad when he returned to Leeds against his old club.

But on the morning of the game, when Manchester United got on the bus and set off for Leeds, Simon, who was sitting at the front of the bus? Grayson was surrounded by Tony? McAndrew poked his waist in the eye: "Simon." You notice that there is no ...... Shaq, well, Shaq hasn't been in good shape for the past two days. ”

What the!?

Simon? Grayson's eyes widened in astonishment as he looked at his assistant...... How is that possible!?

Shaq will not be in good form, just three days ago he scored a hat-trick at Ewood Park, scoring his 75th league goal of the season and his 108th goal for Manchester United this season, which is also considered bad form!?

Face Simon? Grayson's questioning eyes. McAndrew nodded vigorously very seriously, and then gestured to Simon with his eyes? Grayson looked back.

Simon? Grayson turned his head away. Soon found Shak's figure, his proud disciple at this time...... Asleep!?

Simon? Grayson couldn't believe his eyes, usually Shaq was very energetic when he was in a car or a plane, and he never fell asleep, this kid's energy is not like a human being, otherwise...... Simon? Grayson wouldn't let his best disciples go out into a nightclub or anything. All of this is premised on the premise that Shaq's form will not be affected.

Can ...... now Shaq seems to be tired!

Simon? Grayson frowned, looked back at McAndrew, lowered his voice and asked, "Tony, what's going on?" ”

McAndrew shook his head: "I don't know. I also found out yesterday when I was training, Shaq seems to be very tired in the past two days, not physically, but mentally...... It always felt like he wasn't getting enough sleep. ”

"Have you asked Mellon?"

"When Mellon did the physical examination of the players, he said that Shaq is fine, he is still as strong as before."

"How so?"

Simon? Grayson frowned, Shaq is the least likely player in his team to be tired, and the only player who can't be tired, otherwise the team's record will be affected to a certain extent, he hasn't thought about what to do in this situation, but the question is why is Shaq so tired?

"Tony, this is ...... Don't talk about it yet, let's see. ”

"Yes!"

Mike Andrew nodded and stopped talking, as Simon? Grayson's assistant, who knows too well what Shaq is to Simon? How important is Grayson, if it weren't for Shaq, Simon? Grayson should also be an excellent head coach, but it is unlikely that he will achieve such an achievement today...... the head coach of the "Seven Crowns", the only one in the history of world football!

After arriving in Leeds, Manchester United first rested in a temporary hotel, and then went to Elland Road for some activities and did some light training. Grayson believed McAndrew's words, Shaq's state really has some problems, this kid is also running when he should run, pass when he should pass, and shoot when he should shoot in training, but Simon, who is always familiar with him? Grayson felt that something was missing.

Simon? Grayson specially asked Shaq for questioning, and after asking for it, he also got a positive answer, Shaq didn't feel anything uncomfortable, and he was still full of strength.

In that case...... Simon? Grayson still put Shaq in the starting line-up, and now Manchester United. It's really inseparable from Shaq, especially against a strong opponent like Leeds United, and Shaq's individual ability will directly determine the outcome of the game.

But when it came to the game, Shaq's performance did go wrong!

And Simon? Grayson finally found out what the problem was, Shaq was on the field, but he seemed to have no soul. He also runs and passes and grabs points, but the success rate is less than half of the previous game.

As a result, not only did Shaq fail to score in the game at Elland Road, but Leeds United, who were playing at home, took an early 3-0 lead thanks to Oliveira's brace in the first half and Wijnaldum's goal in the 52nd minute.

At the crucial moment, Shaq still played his part, and in the 71st minute of the game, Shaq took a free kick in front of the right side. He spun the ball into the six-yard box on the left side of Leeds United, and Papadopoulos, who had come out of the crowd, snatched the ball up and smashed it into the Leeds United goal with a somewhat violent header.

But this goal ...... It was just a face-saving gesture for the Red Devils, Bielsa's side did a great job defensively, and although it looked like they were playing a 3-4-3 formation, the reality was that the team was constantly changing between 4-4-2 and 5-4-1, and the constant switching of wide players made their tactics more flexible.

In the end, the "Young Guards" defeated the "Red Devils" 3-1 at home. Breaking United's unbeaten run of 33 games this season.

At the post-match press conference, Simon? Grayson's face was serious. When answering reporters' questions, his tone was still tough: "Shaq is just unlucky today, as you know, his wife is a beautiful, gentle Chinese girl, but I can guarantee that she is not a goddess of luck, so it is understandable that Shaq occasionally appears in an unstable state." No one can be extremely efficient in a season...... Well, an away goal is not too bad for us, we only need to win by two or three goals when we come back at home, so it's not difficult for us...... Oh, knocked out? Actually, I personally have some expectations for that outcome. Because that means that I and my players don't have to hold our nerves and give it our all in all competitions, and we can have the option to be more powerful in certain events. ”

Simon? Grayson's hard words were not the same after returning to the Carrington base, he called Shaq to his office, and asked straight to the point: "Shaq, have you encountered anything lately?" If there is any trouble, no matter what the trouble is, you can tell me and I will help you solve it. ”

"Huh...... Hey hey ......"

Looking at Simon? Grayson's face, Shaq smiled awkwardly, "Boss, my performance today disappointed you, right?" Alas, I don't want to, but I've been running into some ...... lately. Well, it's not a trouble, it's actually a good thing, my wife is pregnant, and the reaction is a bit big...... You know, it's important in the early stages of pregnancy, so I have to make her happy every night, and she gets a little less sleep. ”

"Huh!? Hahahahaha............ha

Simon? After listening to Shaq's explanation, Grayson was stunned for a moment, and then laughed happily, what is this, Shaq...... Hey, the little kid who came out of Thorpe's Arch is now going to be a father!?

Sleep time...... Kindness...... Pregnant!

After a little thought, Simon? Grayson chuckled, "Alright, Shaq, from today...... Uh, let's start the day after tomorrow, let's have a day off tomorrow, from the day after tomorrow, you don't have to participate in the training every morning, I allow you to stay at home with your wife or sleep, and you can come to the team again every afternoon to train, so that you can always ensure your condition, right? ”

Shaq laughed happily, and immediately asked with some hesitation, "Ah, chief, is that ...... Okay? ”

"What's so bad? Anyway, you know the training items every morning, most of them are physical training, basic skills training, I don't think it's a big problem for you to practice or not, but you have to give me a good rest, score a few more goals during the game, who will gossip at that time? Remember? ”

“OK！ You can rest assured! ”

Simon? Grayson nodded and put on a smiling face: "Okay, you can go home, greet your wife for me, congratulations on her becoming a mother." (To be continued......)