Chapter 1012 The Eve of the FA Cup Final

The fans are actually the ones most affected by Gao Xiaodong's contract renewal.

Before Gao Xiaodong's contract renewal, Manchester United fans were uneasy, fearing that Gao Xiaodong would perform the same show he did at Inter Milan, while fans of other teams were looking forward to their home team taking down Gao Xiaodong to bring the team's strength to a new level. steps.

Gao Xiaodong has not been at Manchester United for a long time, but in fact he has become a core player of Manchester United. If Gao Xiaodong does not play in any tough battle, the fans will definitely feel uncertain.

After Gao Xiaodong renewed his contract, Manchester United fans were extremely excited. Two to three thousand die-hard fans flocked around the Carrington training base the next day, just to say thank you to Gao Xiaodong for staying.

After Gao Xiaodong renewed his contract, Manchester United no longer had any worries, and the focus of work shifted to the FA Cup game that came first.

Although Manchester United's opponent in the FA Cup final is the underdog Stoke City, and Manchester United should be able to win the game even if they are not in good condition, but Stoke City finally reached the FA Cup final after knockout rounds. In a decisive final, anything can happen.

It’s no wonder that Ferguson was so cautious. In this season’s League Cup, the favorite in the final was Arsenal, but in the end it was Birmingham who upset Arsenal and won the championship. If Manchester United was also upset by Stoke City, they would compete with Manchester United for the next two places. A championship may have a negative impact.

Before the game, Manchester United coach Ferguson finally no longer concealed his ambitions. He told Manchester United fans around the world at a press conference: Starting from the FA Cup, Manchester United will take the first shot in competing for the Triple Crown. Victory in this FA Cup final is crucial to Manchester United's success or failure this season, but in a game as determined as the FA Cup final, anything can happen. Although Stoke City is not a wealthy club, , but in such a game, they are more difficult to deal with than the giants, because their motivation to win is definitely stronger than all the giants. "

What Ferguson said at the press conference was very serious, and it was not a superficial compliment. In fact, this is what Ferguson thought, and he was by no means overthinking it.

Stoke City is a weak team. The total value of their main lineup is only 30 million pounds. The introduction of Jones for 8 million pounds this season is already a club record. Gao Xiaodong alone is worth more than Stoke City. The entire Kecheng team.

But this does not mean that Stoke City does not intend to extract teeth from Manchester United's tiger's mouth.

Stoke City were relegated from England's top flight in 1985 and did not return to the Premier League until 2009. In the history of the FA Cup, Stoke City reached the FA Cup semi-finals three times in 1899, 1971 and 1972, but failed each time. The last time Stoke City reached the final dates back to 148 years ago.

Obviously for Stoke City people,

The FA Cup final is the most important game in their history. This FA Cup championship rests on the century-old dream of Stoke City people.

Before the FA Cup final, Stoke City coach Pulis also used the example of Birmingham to encourage his players and fans.

"This is a contest with a huge disparity in strength. Before the game, no one may have thought that we would reach the FA Cup final. Now, no one is optimistic about us winning. Manchester United is definitely the favorite to win. Maybe we have less hope of winning. Buying lottery tickets is a big deal, but we cannot underestimate ourselves. If we lose confidence, we will lose even the last bit of hope."

"The example of Birmingham City beating Arsenal to win the League Cup has always inspired me. It made me believe in the existence of miracles. I hope that not only me, but all Stoke City people should watch this game and everyone should believe it. Miracles exist, and you must work hard for them with all your energy.”

Although Manchester United is not a wealthy club that attaches too much importance to the FA Cup, Manchester United has reached the final, and its opponent is Stoke City. Manchester United's players have expressed their determination to win the championship.

"The FA Cup is the least difficult of the three championships. If we can't even win the FA Cup, what qualifications do we have to win the Triple Crown."

Manchester United's local superstar Rooney spoke so arrogantly that he didn't take Stoke City to heart.

"We haven't won the FA Cup in seven years. It's disgraceful for Manchester United. This is a good opportunity and we must not let it go."

Ferdinand is very domineering. In fact, he has been dissatisfied with Ferguson's strategy of giving up the FA Cup in recent years. He believes that as the Premier League hegemon, he should win every event.

Gao Xiaodong renewed his contract with the highest salary in the world and was in a good mood. He also took the opportunity to express his allegiance to the club before the game. "This is my first final at Manchester United. I hope there will be a good result. It has been my dream since I was a child to win the title with Manchester United, and now my dream will soon come true."

When Stoke City played Manchester United in the FA Cup, almost all public opinion was optimistic about Manchester United winning the championship, and the odds were also one-sided. Under the aura of Manchester United, Stoke City was not even a supporting role, it was just like a walk-on.

However, after Stoke City repeatedly defeated strong opponents and advanced to the final, the players were full of confidence and fighting spirit. They were not afraid of facing strong opponents like Manchester United. Pennant, the biggest player in the team, turned out to be a Liverpool player. Manchester United has a deep hostility. Before the game, he threatened to block Manchester United and destroy Manchester United's dream of winning the Triple Crown.

"Manchester United is the best team in world football, and they may win the Triple Crown again, but we are also the best team in the FA Cup. I believe we can beat Manchester United and win the FA Cup. Just like Birmingham, although it would be cruel to break Manchester United's dream of winning the treble, I think this is the best way for Manchester United fans to remember us."

Another well-known player in Stoke City is defense general Huth. Huth is a former Chelsea player who also has no favorable impression of Manchester United.

"Stoke City is the underdog. Manchester United is much stronger than us, but we still have a chance. There are many games in football where the weak beat the strong. We are also not optimistic about reaching the final. , but we successfully reached the finals.”

The final will be held at Wembley Stadium at 15:00 on May 14th, local time in the UK. The battle has not yet begun, but the pre-game competition between the two sides has already begun.

Originally, Stoke City coach Pulis had booked a hotel in the Grove in Hertfordshire, but when he was about to pay, he discovered that this five-star hotel had been booked in advance by Manchester United.

Stoke City were so annoyed that in the end they had to choose another five-star hotel in Battfordshire, the Luton Hotel, but the Luton Hotel is 30 miles away from the new Wembley Stadium, while the Grove Hotel is only 18 miles away. , it can be said that Stoke City lost before the game started.