Chapter 1,099 The Youngest Manchester United Captain

Before Manchester United rushed to the United States for summer training, Ferguson officially announced to the outside world Gao Xiaodong's decision to serve as Manchester United captain.

Regarding Gao Xiaodong's appointment as the captain of Manchester United, some people have predicted it a long time ago. They believe that Manchester United's approach of adopting a team committee and rotating captaincy is only temporary, or in other words, it is to prepare for Gao Xiaodong's rise to power, because Gao Xiaodong's transfer Manchester United's time is too short, and he may not be able to convince the public if he is captain.

When Gary Neville suddenly retired, many people also had this premonition in their hearts, because Gao Xiaodong had served as the team's vice-captain in the national team, and Gary. After Neville retired, no one of the big players at Manchester United, Vidic, Ferdinand, Rooney or Fletcher, could beat the crowd, and Ferguson has never designated a captain. Many people had a hunch that Gao Xiaodong might become a player in the history of Manchester United. The youngest captain. Now, everyone's premonition has come true. Gao Xiaodong has become the youngest captain in the history of Manchester United and the first Asian player to serve as captain.

Although Park Ji-sung had experience as captain as early as October 18, 2005, in the Champions League group match between Manchester United and Lille at home, Park Ji-sung, who was a substitute, took over the captain's armband from Ryan Giggs in the 83rd minute, because Due to the language barrier, Park Ji-sung did not hand over the captain's armband to Ferdinand, but directly put it on his own arm and became the captain of Manchester United for 7 minutes. However, this was just a misunderstanding after all, and it was temporary. However, Gao Xiaodong is a real Manchester United player. Official captain.

Playing for a club like Manchester United is an honor for Asian players, and being able to gain a firm foothold and wear the captain's armband is even more extraordinary. After Ferguson announced Gao Xiaodong as the captain of Manchester United, many Asian fans said: Gao Xiaodong's success in European football has vindicated the reputation of Chinese and even Asians. He showed that in addition to big men like Yao Ming, ordinary yellow people can also compete with strong opponents. He has gained a place in the Western sports world and can even aspire to be the number one player.

Manchester United fans in Europe have mixed feelings about this. On the one hand, they are happy to see Gao Xiaodong, a cunning and versatile player, becoming the leader of Manchester United. On the other hand, they feel that the yellow race is stepping on their heads in their dominant sport, football. I felt disappointed, so after Ferguson announced the news, the European football online forum was very calm, and no fans discussed the news with great fanfare.

Even within Manchester United, there are people who are aggrieved by Gao Xiaodong's appointment as captain. Vidic, who considers himself the most promising to become captain, spread rumors about a possible transfer to Real Madrid after Ferguson announced that Gao Xiaodong would become captain. According to Vidic's The agent said that Ferguson actually let a stupid kid be the captain, and he didn't want to think about what Arsenal had won by using the 19-year-old Cesc Fabregas as the captain. Vidic would not spend his last peak playing tricks with Sir Alex.

Ferdinand, another promising captain, criticized implicitly on his Twitter: "Manchester United has finally caught up with Arsenal in terms of rejuvenating their captain."

Fletcher is also not convinced by Gao Xiaodong being the captain. He is a straightforward man and is not afraid of Gao Xiaodong and Ferguson being angry. He directly told reporters,

Gao Xiaodong is the most skilled and versatile player at Manchester United. Manchester United cannot lack him, but this does not mean that he should become the captain of Manchester United. Just like Beckham and Cristiano Ronaldo were the most skilled players back then, but neither of them became captains. .

There are those who are against it, but of course the majority are in support.

Rooney, who also hopes to become captain, supported: "Gao Xiaodong will become a great captain. He has unyielding fighting spirit and tenacity. He is a real Red Devil."

Giggs, the veteran of the Class of 1992, is the most prestigious player at Manchester United. He expressed his support for Ferguson’s decision, “Although Gao Xiaodong is young, he is already a Ballon d’Or winner. He has experience as a team deputy in three teams. , including even giants like Inter Milan, I believe he will not be worse than Gary Neville."

Of course, the club must support the decision made by Ferguson. Manager David Gill told reporters that this was not a hasty decision. In fact, the team and club have been inspecting Gao Xiaodong for half a season, and the results have proved that Gao Xiaodong is worthy of Manchester United. The great title of captain.

In addition to these big guys, the young people of Manchester United almost overwhelmingly support Gao Xiaodong, believing that Gao Xiaodong will lead Manchester United from glory to glory.

Manchester United's young players are very smart. They all understand that Ferdinand, Vidic and Fletcher are all young and will retire soon. Manchester United's future belongs to Gao Xiaodong Rooney. Of course, they will not go against the future boss.

Gao Xiaodong got the news in advance that he was going to be the captain before Ferguson announced it to the outside world. Gao Xiaodong was very happy about this. After many years of marriage, he finally broke the European prejudice and officially became the captain of a wealthy club. .

Gao Xiaodong expressed his gratitude to Ferguson, Manchester United teammates and fans through the press conference, Twitter and Weibo.

"Thank you Coach Ferguson for your trust, thank you to my teammates for their support, and thank you to the fans for their love. It takes courage to let a 22-year-old be the captain, but I will prove to them that their choice is correct.

I feel very good. It is a great honor to be the captain of such a great club. I will enter my second season at Manchester United. I have achieved so much in the first season and this is what we strive for together. As a result, now I want to lead the team to achieve a higher dream, which is to exceed Liverpool's number of Champions League titles, which is also a great thing. I am very happy. I came to Manchester United as a player. Now I am not only a player and captain of Manchester United, but also a fan. I love Manchester United more and more. Being able to serve as captain gives me a very special feeling. "

When a reporter asked Gao Xiaodong how he felt about being the first Asian captain, Gao Xiaodong said, "As a Chinese player, I can succeed at Manchester United and serve as the captain of Manchester United. This is a special feeling, because I feel I have won respect for the entire Chinese football and Asian football. Of course, it is not a spring to flourish alone. I hope that more Asian players will gain a foothold in European football and achieve greater success."

Then the reporter asked Gao Xiaodong whether he wanted to be a captain like Cantona and Keane, or a captain like Bobby Charlton and Robson. Gao Xiaodong replied: "They are both great captains. They all serve for Manchester United has won glory, but I will not be them or imitate them. I will be a unique Gao Xiaodong type captain in the history of Manchester United."

Some reporters also made things difficult in public and directly asked Gao Xiaodong what he thought of Ferdinand and Vidic's comments against him being the captain? In this regard, Gao Xiaodong said that no decision will make everyone agree and be satisfied. If he does it well, those who do not support it will become supportive. If he does not do it well, then those who support it will also become unsupportive. Support, so he won't think too much about it, he just wants to do his job well as captain.

Gao Xiaodong, who was neither humble nor arrogant, calmly defused the reporters' instigation, demonstrated the unique personality and wisdom of Chinese players, and won high praise from fans, teammates and coaches.