Chapter 197: Mercury Pouring Into the Ground

On the afternoon of January 25th, the FA Cup match between Manchester United and Birmingham officially started at St. Andrews Stadium, Birmingham's home.

Just after the start of the game, Manchester United launched a fierce attack on Birmingham's goal. Today, the two players in midfield are Manchester United's first-team substitutes Shinji Kagawa and Fletcher. Both of them have a certain level: Fletcher is Manchester United The veteran of Manchester United, produced by the Manchester United youth training camp, discipline and hard work are not to be said, but the upper limit of talent is there. It would be fine if he went to a mid-to-lower team in the Premier League, but in the current Manchester United team, there is really no him. Position; similar to his situation is Shinji Kagawa, who used to be the core of Dortmund's frontcourt attack, a spirited technical player, but due to poor physical confrontation, he has not been able to play in Manchester United.

Even so, the midfield combination of the two of them was more than enough for Birmingham. In the opening stage, the two organized Manchester United's midfield in an orderly manner, and the team's offense and defense were orderly and very smooth.

Manchester United's offensive players in the frontcourt today are all speed and dexterity players, Icardi with excellent running positions, Salah and Dembele with excellent ball control, and Nani with excellent form. The cooperation of the four brought great trouble to Birmingham.

Just 10 minutes into the game, Manchester United got consecutive threatening ball opportunities.

This time it was Manchester United's midfield possession. Shinji Kagawa nimbly dodged the steal of the Birmingham player. He distributed the ball to the right and handed it to Salah, who continued to perform well in the previous few games. He was in good form, and he was very active on the right side in this game, breaking through Birmingham's defense again and again, causing Birmingham's defensive players to complain.

Salah quickly stepped in and received the ball. He saw that the frontcourt players hadn't run in place yet, so he didn't pass the ball, but dribbled towards the side. Two Birmingham players immediately blocked it.

Salah didn't hesitate, he changed direction and got rid of it, past a Birmingham defender, and then continued to cut forward.

The other defensive player didn't dare to go up easily. He kept retreating in front of Salah to maintain a defensive formation.

At this time, Salah found that someone in the middle had outflanked him, and it was the French teenager Dembele.

In the current starting lineup, Salah and Dembele are the fastest. Seeing Salah catch the ball and break through, Dembele quickly advanced in the middle and was ready to respond.

When Dembele was about to run in place, Salah made a very stealthy low pass, and the ball slid to the center of the penalty area.

The ball was so fast that the Birmingham goalkeeper didn't dare to attack easily, so he could only stand still and prepare for the save.

Dembele's footsteps were so fast that the Birmingham defender couldn't keep up with him. Just when the ball came near the penalty spot, Dembele caught up with the ball and shoveled the ball straight into the dead corner.

1 to 0! Manchester United made a good start!

Compared with usual, there are not many Manchester United fans who followed the team to the away game today, but they still gave out huge cheers when they saw the ball hit the net!

"Beautiful goal!"

"Good job Dembele!"

"Salah is so handsome!"

At the same time, everyone on the visiting team's Manchester United coaching bench was also very happy, and everyone clapped and celebrated.

Although he scored a goal, Kintag did not show a very happy look. The first is because this is just the FA Cup that he gave up. The second is because the opponent Birmingham is really not enough to watch. If you score goals and win, then don't talk about the triple crown.

In the 24th minute of the game, it was Salah's possession again. He broke through the wing again and passed the ball to the center of the penalty area. Icardi headed hard and the ball hit the crossbar. It's a pity that the bottom line popped up.

Seeing that he missed a good chance to score, Icardi hammered the goal post very annoyed, but he still did not forget to extend his thumb to Salah to express his gratitude and praise for his precise cross.

The game lasted for half an hour, and Manchester United did not have the slightest restraint at home in Birmingham. Their cooperation was like quicksilver pouring down the ground, flowing freely and passing freely. This made Kintag very happy off the court.

Phelan said excitedly: "It would be great if these boys can bring this state to the Premier League."

Scholes shook his head: "The defense of the Premier League team is much stronger than that of Birmingham. They can cooperate here, but it does not mean that he can play in the Premier League."

Kintag agreed with Scholes' point of view: "Paul, you are right. Birmingham is indeed not enough. Their strength is limited and their defense is insufficient. Just like Icardi's header just now, don't say anything else He is a top central defender, and even if Smalling were to defend him, he would not be able to take off and win the header so easily. But even so, they are still very young, and given time, they will become big players."

The three were chatting, when Manchester United's offense started again.

This time it was Dembele who moved forward with the ball.

Seeing Salah's wonderful performance in the opening stage, Dembele couldn't sit still. In the youth team, Dembele is recognized as the young player with the best skills. Even Sane and Asensio, who are also skilled They all admire him very much. Compared with other players, Dembele has extremely fast speed, excellent dribbling, and superb shooting skills. His most dazzling feature is the excellent balance between his left and right feet, which makes him the core of the frontcourt attack in the youth team.

In this game, Kintag let him start and ambush behind Icardi. On the one hand, he wanted to take advantage of his speed advantage, and on the other hand, he also gave him more space and opportunities to get the ball.

Dembele received a pass from Fletcher, and he dribbled forward from midfield, all the way to the front of the penalty area.

Seeing that Dembele was so flexible, the Birmingham players stepped forward to help defend, blocking his way forward and blocking the space for him to shoot.

But unexpectedly, Dembele didn't continue to move forward, nor did he forcefully take a shot. He paused for two seconds, and then gently pushed the ball to the right.

At this time, a figure on the right quickly moved forward.

It's Salah!

Dembele's outstanding performance just now made the Birmingham players temporarily forget that there is another super threatening opponent on the side of the stadium. At this time, Salah rushed all the way to the right side of the penalty area. Dembele's pass was just in place. Salah received the ball and there was nothing in front of him.

Salah took two steps, and shot an angry shot from the edge of the small penalty area. The ball passed the Birmingham goalkeeper's armpit and flew into the net.

2 to 0! Manchester United expanded their score advantage!