Chapter 880 A Game You Can’t Afford to Lose

May 9th.

Emirates Stadium.

The live broadcast footage frequently showed the two Manchester United bosses Woodward and Ferguson sitting together in the stands. Both of them looked grim and seemed to be in a bad mood.

"As the CEO of the club and the former legendary manager of the club, it is not surprising that they appear in the stands, but it is very rare to appear in the away stands."

Zhan Jun said with a smile: "This may be related to the importance of this game. After passing Arsenal, Manchester United will almost touch the league trophy with both hands. The next two games are Crystal Palace and Queen's Park. Rangers, the former has no worries about relegation, while the latter has been relegated early.”

"It may also be related to the head coach's contract renewal." Zhang Lu guessed: "Pochettino has not completed the contract renewal so far. His contract expires on June 30 this year."

"Pochettino has a 2+1 contract. According to relevant British media sources, this may be related to Pochettino's request for a budget for summer signings, but Santoku has to decide the budget based on the record."

Sun Wu on the bench glanced at the big screen. Ferguson's face didn't look good. Arsenal were playing hard to get in this game. Wenger's handsome style was not seen at all. Instead, tough collisions occurred frequently. Shaqi Before the first half was over, he was replaced by Mane due to injury.

Pochettino made some adjustments in this game, because the second leg of the Champions League semifinals against Dortmund was three days later, so the core players such as Sun Wu, Griezmann, and Alderweireld were all on the bench.

Lukaku, Thomas Muller and Shaqiri formed a trident. Later Shaqiri was injured and was replaced by Mane.

Arsenal has reached a critical moment. They are currently on the same point as Tottenham Hotspur and are ranked sixth due to a goal difference disadvantage. They are only two points away from fourth-ranked Chelsea.

The key is that Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea have already finished this round. The latter was double-killed by Liverpool this season. If Arsenal can draw with Manchester United, the ranking can rise to fifth. If they can beat Manchester United, they can beat Chelsea to enter. The top four.

Moreover, Arsenal has been eliminated from the Europa League, and it was Sevilla who defeated them.

The situation on Manchester United's side is not much better, because Manchester City ended their make-up match the day before yesterday. They easily swept Burnley 4-0 away from home and topped the standings for the first time this season.

The two teams have the same points, but Manchester City has a goal difference of 5 more.

Therefore, Manchester United cannot afford to lose this game. Losing means giving up the initiative of the league championship.

At 0-0 in the first half, Pochettino stayed put while Sun Wu, Griezmann, Januzaj, and Klose took turns warming up on the sidelines, ready to play at any time.

However, Manchester City's ascension to the top of the standings obviously made the players on the field a little out of shape. In addition, the two midfield defensive generals Fletcher and Schneiderlin are still suspended, and the situation on the field is gradually leaning towards Arsenal.

In the 62nd minute of the second half, both sides still had no achievements, and Pochettino was ready to replace Sun Wu and Klose.

But just when Sun Wu and Klose were being inspected by the fourth official, drastic changes occurred on the field.

Arteta sent a long pass from the right side of the midfield, Giroud headed the ball over, Sanchez took the ball and sent a cross. Welbeck accelerated against Phil Jones on the right side of the penalty area, and then stumbled to the ground...

"Beep!"

The referee on duty, Clattenburg, awarded a penalty, which was not the worst, and he also showed Phil Jones a second yellow card and sent him off.

Pochettino angrily went to the fourth official on the sidelines to reason. It was obvious that Phil Jones did not handball the ball intentionally. A penalty kick was enough, so why should he be given a card.

Sun Wu grabbed it but didn't hold it back... He was speechless. What's the use of asking the fourth official at this time? It's just to vent your anger. What you need to do now is to find a way to restore the situation and think about how to replace people and adjust.

With such a long distance, Sun Wu was not sure whether Phil Jones committed a foul, but the referee would definitely not take back the penalty.

"Manchester United is in a bad situation now, with a penalty kick and a yellow card. The key is that this is Phil Jones's second yellow card. He got a yellow card for elbowing Sanchez in the first half." Zhan Jun sighed.

"This penalty kick...the penalty is a bit harsh." Zhang Lu said helplessly: "There was indeed physical contact, but it was not enough to make Welbeck fall to the ground?"

"In the quarter-finals of the FA Cup, Welbeck counterattacked and eliminated Manchester United. Now..." Zhan Jun smacked his lips, "Maybe Manchester United's efforts throughout the season will be destroyed by this penalty kick."

Crow's mouth... Zhang Lu secretly slandered his partner, "Maybe Arsenal misses the penalty kick... Arteta..."

"The goal went in, a bold choice, Arteta chose the center."

Seeing Arteta running towards the corner flag with joy, Sun Wu turned to look at Pochettino who was still entangled with the fourth official...

Sun Wu turned back to discuss business with Mike Phelan, "Replace Lukaku?"

"This..." Mike Phelan hesitated. Now the only players on the team are Schneiderlin and Lukaku who can be considered Pochettino's direct descendants.

"Best replaces Carrick, and Rojo replaces Lukaku." Pochettino came over panting, "leaving one substitution in hand."

Klose shrugged and sat back on the bench. Sun Wu walked to the midline with a relaxed expression. Pochettino lowered his voice but gritted his teeth, "Best, come back!"

"kindness."

"Bring it back!" Pochettino paused, "Bring it back, and I will suggest to Woodward that you become the head coach part-time."

Sun Wu looked back strangely, who do you think you are?

You are neither Beckenbauer, nor Ferguson, nor Cruyff. Once you decide to leave, will you have the slightest influence on the original club?

However, it must be done to get back... Sun Wu gave Pochettino a big smile.

Watching Sun Wu running onto the field, Pochettino mentally reviewed his gaffe, which was too unstable... However, this league championship is directly related to his treatment next season, and even to his job and scope of power next season. There is a direct relationship.

Leading Manchester United 1-0, and it was still 11 vs. 10. Arsenal players were extremely excited. They did not even take back the defense, but fought in the midfield... Sun Wu did not think this was unintentional. Without Schneiderlin and Fletcher, Manchester United suffers a bit in terms of midfield rigidity.

However, Sun Wu quickly found a target that he could exploit.

Coquelin, who played very well in this game, was fierce in attacking and kicking, but his timing was not precise enough. The most important thing is that Coquelin committed a tactical foul after the start of the second half and pulled down Mane and already received a yellow card.

Phil Jones was extremely angry when he came off the field and almost got into a fight with Yaya Toure... Based on Sun Wu's understanding of his friends, Jones' character is relatively upright and has no tricks. In other words, Welbeck is probably a fake. Point of fraud.

In the 68th minute, Sun Wu knocked down Coquelin with a flying shovel in the center circle, and even brought down Arteta.

Coquelin clutched his ankle and fell to the ground in pain, while Sun Wu kicked hard.

Clattenburg showed a yellow card to Sun Wu, which was the latter's fourth yellow card this season.

Then... three minutes later, Herrera passed the ball in the middle, and Sun Wu surprisingly passed Arteta with a quick pass with both feet.

"Beautiful croquettes...Best...oh oh, Coquelin fouled!"

After being stepped on, Sun Wu clutched his instep and collapsed on the lawn. Coquelin innocently but angrily complained to the referee about the opponent's flop.

But this is really not a fake fall.

After Sun Wu passed Arteta, Coquelin did not try to use foul tactics because Arsenal's defense had no obvious loopholes. He just wanted Sun Wu to pass the ball to the wing.

But Sun Wu paused deliberately and passed the ball a little late. His raised right foot deliberately made contact with Coquelin's outstretched right foot... and then fell down with a wailing sound.

Judging from the picture, Coquelin kicked Sun Wu on the instep.

The key is that just a few minutes ago, Sun Wu just received a yellow card for a tackle on Coquelin... What does this mean?

It means that Coquelin committed a deliberate retaliatory foul.

Wenger was a little helpless on the sidelines, and Pochettino was wondering if this was Sun Wu's fault.

In the locker room, Phil Jones, who saw the referee showing Coquelin a second yellow card, was pumping his fist in celebration.