Chapter 814 I Really Didn't Do My Homework

On December 6, only 3 days after the end of the last round of the league, Manchester United went to St. Mary's Stadium to challenge Southampton.

The game captured the attention of supporters across the UK, with everyone eager to see if United could equal Arsenal's 14-game winning streak in a league that was far more difficult than it had been a decade earlier.

But three hours before the start of the game, Pochettino announced the starting lineup. Sun Wu did not start. Schneiderlin partnered with Carrick to form a double midfielder, and the other position belonged to Herrera.

This decision immediately became a hot topic of discussion on the Internet. Some people speculated that Sun Wu was injured by a shovel by Bo Yang, and some speculated that Sun Wu had another falling out with the head coach.

At the press conference before the game, Pochettino denied all speculation, claiming that Sun Wu needed to rest because of double matches a week.

But this explanation is not enough to convince the public. Schneiderlin also participated in the World Cup in the summer and has been in the finals.

And in the next week, Sun Wu can rest, because in the UEFA Champions League group stage next week, Manchester United, which has already won the first place in the group, will definitely play with a full substitute lineup.

on the bench.

"Everyone's eyes are on you!" Thomas Muller was a little envious, "When the close-up came... they would say, oh, Best is sitting on the bench, and no one noticed what was going on next to you." I!"

Uh, in fact, Sun Wu is not the only one taking a rest this round, but Erwa is also there.

Sun Wu was stunned for a while, and could only reach out to smile and stroke the dog's head, "Thomas... well, I apologize, but you chose to sit next to me."

The teasing between the two was based on the premise that Manchester United took the lead ten minutes after the game started.

In the 9th minute, Japanese defender Asahi Yoshida also made a pass back from the ribs to the weaker goalkeeper. As a result, the extremely fast Mane caught up with the ball and passed the former Manchester United goalkeeper Foster into the empty goal.

Tsk tsk, Sun Wu likes to watch this scene. Mane, who was supposed to shine in Southampton this season, counterattacked in another time and space... Uh, the next round is the double red meeting. Mane was once Liverpool's thigh .

"Mane is so fast!" Sun Wu looked enviously at the black lightning passing by not far away, throwing Klein five or six meters away.

"This is a talent, no matter how much you practice, it's still at my level..." Sun Wu turned his head and glanced at Erwa, "Thomas, I think you should practice your dribbling, not only the speed is slow,

And it's ugly! "

Thomas Muller's face turned black, "Football is all about effects!"

"Hey, that's why everyone is sitting on the bench and no one pays attention to you." Sun Wuyu said earnestly: "Thomas, you lack a kind of temperament, a kind of superstar temperament!"

"In this era, shaping a superstar requires not only achievements and abilities, but also a handsome appearance and a temperament that is different from others... You can't do anything about the former, but you can work hard for the latter."

After a few seconds of silence, Thomas Müller got up and changed his position, far away from this guy.

Mike Phelan and Miguel in the front row looked at each other, thinking in their hearts, is this guy really under heavy psychological pressure?

Can't tell!

No one chatted anymore, Sun Wu could only put on the pose of a "thinker" and watch the game intently.

Although Sun Wu and Thomas Muller didn't play, Manchester United played with ease. Southampton's tactics have never been the British style of hard bridge and hard horse. From Pochettino to Koeman today, they all like to put The ball is controlled under the feet, and the fine pass and cut cooperation is used to advance forward.

There is a gap in player strength between the two sides. Without Sun Wu, the Manchester United midfielder can still control the situation calmly. Both Carrick and Herrera are organizers above the level. With Schneiderlin as an excellent interceptor, Manchester United is stable. control rhythm.

However, Southampton's several offenses failed to create a threat. Italian center Pellet seems to have not yet integrated into the team. Tadic and Sean Lang's personal abilities are not particularly outstanding. They are both typical teams players.

However, Manchester United's offense was not going well. Herrera was a bit slow in speeding up the offense. Several fleeting opportunities were aborted because of the slow distribution of the ball. The first half ended with a score of 1-0.

At half-time, Pochettino replaced Herrera with Lingard in an attempt to speed up the attack, while Thomas Müller and Sun Wu remained on the bench.

"Best, you can participate in on-the-spot adjustments." Pochettino sat with Sun Wu in the second half, "You are the best at this."

Sun Wupi laughed twice, usually on the spot because I am on the field, but today... I am sitting next to you!

"Lingard's running ability is similar to that of Herrera, but the number of forwards is much more." Pochettino said casually: "However, today, apart from Schneiderlin, there is also Carrick."

Carrick is a defensive midfielder who rarely loses his position, and stability is his specialty.

In the 65th minute, Pochettino made a second adjustment, replacing Griezmann with Thomas Muller. Griezmann, who has two matches a week and rarely rests, should also be rested.

Just two minutes later, with the first touch on the field, Thomas Muller scored the goal. Ashley Young and Lukaku played a beautiful cooperation and then crossed the bottom of the penalty area. Muller pushed the ball easily break down.

For this goal, Pochettino and Sun Wu didn't even stand up from the coaching bench. Lingard's wide-range running has already messed up Southampton's defense line. Max out.

But two minutes later, Pochettino and Sun Wu jumped up at the same time. Neither of them protested Wanyama's foul, but looked worriedly at Alderweireld who fell to the ground.

Two strong men challenged for the high ball at the same time, Wanyama's hands were not clean, and the Belgian defender landed in an obviously wrong posture.

Dr. Swell helped Alderweireld to the sidelines, frowned after careful inspection.

"How about it?"

"I sprained my ankle, I need to take a film to find out." Dr. Swell shook his head, "This game will definitely not be played."

"Rojo!" Mike Phelan roared back.

While Rojo stood on the sidelines preparing to go on, Southampton manager Koeman also made adjustments, replacing Sean Long with 19-year-old homegrown rookie Ward Prowse.

On the 31st, this person's face is so familiar... Sun Wu frantically recalled it in his mind.

Three minutes later, Sun Wu finally remembered, but Southampton striker Pellet also scored.

In the 72nd minute, Schneiderlin made a mistake in passing the ball. Prouse took the ball on the right and did not go forward. It seemed that he was going to pass the ball back. Ashley Young was ready...

But at the next moment, Prouse half-turned on the spot and then swung his legs. He sent a precise cross with his right foot at a 45-degree angle. Center Pellet, who ran to the position in the middle, threw away Rojo and beat Phil Jones with a header. Break through the top.

Sun Wu smacked his lips, he really remembered, this is a winger who is very sharp in passing from the right. Like Beckham, he has weak dribbling ability, but his ability in crossing, long passing and set ball is very good.

"Mauricio, be careful not to give them free kicks." Sun Wu whispered, "That No. 31 kick is great."

Pochettino looked back in surprise, "Best, did you do your homework last night?"

"No, I went out with Christine last night." Sun Wu rolled his eyes, "But this guy's free kick is really good."

Jesús shrugged, "I don't see it in the statistics, but his cross is really good. When we were in Southampton, he was still in the reserve team."

Hey, in the next few years, several giants in the Premier League have experienced Ward-Prowse's free kick stunts, and Manchester United has experienced the most times.

Sun Wu can only sit back on the coaching bench, he can't do anything now, and the three substitute places have been used up.

In the 82nd minute, Pellet took the ball in the penalty area and had physical contact with Rojo. The referee did not say anything. The Italian took the ball and went out to try to pass it to his teammates to reorganize. Pellet was fouled.

Sun Wu jumped on the sidelines anxiously... less than 10 minutes away from the 14-game winning streak.

But the more you don't want something to happen, the more something will happen...

Ward-Prowse's iconic scimitar made the audience so excited that De Gea didn't even make a save.

The curve ball bypassed the five-man lined up, and quickly fell, and got into the near corner trickily.

Watching Prowse's ecstatic celebration, watching the disappointed Manchester United players, and then... Pochettino, Mike Phelan, Miguel and others looked back at Sun Wu sitting there covering his face.

How on earth did this guy know that kid had such a good free kick!

Sun Wu smiled helplessly, I really didn't do my homework...

At the last moment, Manchester United pressed across the board, but Southampton was united, and even Pellet and Tadic returned to within 30 meters to assist in the defense.

In the end, Southampton drew with Manchester United 2-2 at home, shattering the latter's 14-game winning streak dream.

However, Sun Wu feels that for Manchester United throughout the season, this may not be a bad thing.