Chapter 17: Research from the Premier League
Chapter 17: Research from the Premier League
"In fact, Marcus is not a bad person by nature, it's just the current public opinion environment... You know, Lee, he was spoiled while growing up, and several coaches have not really made him understand that he shoulders the responsibility of revitalizing Manchester United..."
Carrick looked at Li Chen's calm face and finally couldn't help but give him a few words of advice.
Li Chen smiled when he heard this and explained to Carrick:
"I understand, Michael, this generation of players is very different from your generation. I also know what you want to say. Don't worry, I don't mean to give up on Marcus. I just want him to recognize his current poor state and situation. I know my limits."
Since Li Chen had said so, Carrick couldn't persuade him any further. He had already fulfilled his responsibilities as an assistant coach and a Manchester United legend.
And to be honest, he was also surprised that Li Chen would continue to give Rashford opportunities in this game.
This actually also means that Li Chen still gave Rashford face in public and defended this kid once.
If Rashford still doesn't show much remorse, then it's no wonder Li Chen is so determined to rectify the situation...
Manchester United's overall defensive system was finally established after Rashford was forced to become more diligent.
Fans watching this game can clearly feel the effective improvement in Manchester United's overall offensive and defensive rhythm.
This improvement does not mean that Manchester United will directly become like the top teams in the Premier League and master high-pressure and passing and controlling offense.
Instead, based on Manchester United's existing lineup, the team has tried its best to achieve a balance between offense and defense.
The configuration of defenders and midfielders is not suitable for aggressive high-pressure play, so Li Chen designed a mid- and low-position double-teaming defense mode.
With the active participation of young players in the frontcourt, the effect of this defensive arrangement of sniping in the midfield and backcourt is still very outstanding.
On the offensive end, Li Chen tries to start a technical midfielder in every game.
Today, the technical ball-holding midfielder is Mata, who has not had a chance to start for a long time.
With Mata and Luke Shaw on the left building the midfield and backcourt ball distribution structure, and assisted by Maguire and Matic's long passes from the backcourt, radiating to the left and right flanks, an offensive situation with both wings flying together was opened up.
Manchester United fans would definitely be very surprised if they knew the tactical plan that the coaching staff has now formulated.
After all, Solskjaer also used this group of players in the previous dozen games, but he just couldn't handle the problem of getting the ball in the midfield and backcourt.
Now they are looking at the team's smooth midfield transmission, feeling physically and mentally happy, but also confused.
The same group of players, including veteran Mata, who Solskjaer hardly uses, how come they perform completely differently under Li Chen now?
Thinking of this, many Manchester United fans at the scene were deeply moved and marveled at Li Chen's magical use of players.
But for Li Chen, as long as he does not have to force a certain tactic, the players in Manchester United's first team will have no shortage of opportunities to perform.
For an experienced veteran like Mata, it may be true that you say he is no longer physically fit and can no longer play in the high-intensity Premier League games.
But if you say that he is not strong enough and cannot provide any help to Manchester United now, that is simply nonsense.
During his peak period, Mata's performance at Chelsea was no less than any other winger and attacking midfielder of the same generation.
For this old star who has already proven his strength and mentality, design a set of tactics with defensive bodyguards for him and let him do what he is really good at, he will always bring you surprises.
In terms of the ability to take the ball and find teammates in a small area for passing and cutting, Mata can still rank among the top three in Manchester United. B Fee's small techniques are far less delicate than Mata's.
Wouldn't it be better if you could use these experienced and technical veterans to play more cup games and give the main players more rest time?
As for Luke Shaw who just returned from injury, Li Chen was also very satisfied with his performance today.
Whether it is the ability to pass the ball from the backcourt or to advance with the ball, Luke Shaw can squeeze into the first echelon of left-backs that Li Chen has worked with.
However, while he is satisfied, Li Chen is still more concerned about Luke Shaw's physical health.
"I will make a comprehensive examination plan when I return. I need the best sports experts and doctors to give detailed suggestions so that Luke Shaw can lose weight scientifically. Then I will take the lead in readjusting the technical details of his defense to protect his knees and ankles as much as possible..."
Li Chen signaled Carrick to put this matter directly on the coaching staff's schedule and start implementing it after the game.
Luke Shaw cannot completely change his injury-prone physique, but at least he can reduce the number of injuries and shorten the rehabilitation time as much as possible after scientific analysis.
When Mourinho was in office, he wanted to promote innovation in Manchester United's medical team, but ultimately failed due to the neglect of senior management.
He had hit a wall once before, so this time he didn't expect Manchester United's team doctors to help him at all. He decided to ask more professional sports experts to solve the problem.
Carrick recorded Li Chen's requirements in detail in the tactical notebook, and he admired Li Chen's meticulous attention to the players' health.
Luke Shaw didn't know that he would face a rigorous "weight loss journey" after this game.
He is playing like a fish in water on the field at the moment. Under the tactics arranged by Li Chen, his participation in the attack has exceeded that in any other game he has played under Solskjaer.
This made him feel like he was playing under Pochettino.
With a complete defensive system behind him, he can devote more energy to the offensive stage of getting the ball and advancing.
This allows him to fully demonstrate his offensive talents.
For this reason alone, Luke Shaw's impression of Li Chen could not be bad, not to mention that before he returned from injury, Li Chen had already promised him a tactical position as a main player in the team.
Thinking about the team's recent three-game winning streak in the league, Luke Shaw is full of motivation and feels that he has a lot to do under Li Chen's leadership.
With his sudden effort and the decisive breakthrough of Diallo in front of him, the right side of the Bern youngsters' defense line was immediately compressed flatter.
In the 59th minute of the second half, Luke Shaw and Diallo completed a quick two-pass pass on the wing!
After getting the ball, Luke Shaw accelerated to the bottom line and completed a low cross before Young Boys' right center back Kamara could get to the ball!
Earlier, Young Boys' entire back line had been attacked by Manchester United's left wing and had to lean to defend. At this moment, Luke Shaw's threatening pass was sent out, and several Manchester United players who were flanking in the middle and back points immediately saw the opportunity to score again!
Rashford's rush at the front point shook Young Boys' other central defender, Lustenberger.
Greenwood, who was following up in the middle, seized the opportunity, accelerated suddenly, and stretched his foot to complete the shot in the tiny gap in the defense!
The football flew quickly towards the back of Young Boys' goal, but at the critical moment, Young Boys' goalkeeper Febvre completed an extreme one-handed save!
But his save did not push the ball far away.
Just when Young Boys Bern's left-back Lefort was about to clear the ball with his foot, another red figure got there first and pushed the ball into the half-empty goal!
"Greenwood's shot! It was saved! And! The follow-up shot went in! The ball went in!!! Young player Elanga! Elanga scored in his first Champions League match for Manchester United! His hard work and positioning finally brought him this lucky opportunity! Is Manchester United's youth training camp going to contribute another talented player to the first team?!"
Zhan Jun explained this goal passionately in the studio.
At this moment in China, even though it is already late at night, there are still a large number of fans following the progress of the Champions League group match.
Only a few of them are Manchester United fans, and most of them are spectators who stayed up late to watch the game just for Li Chen.
Seeing the young players promoted by Li Chen score goals, Manchester United almost secured another victory in the game, and the fans celebrated sincerely!
Because Li Chen is about to win his fourth game since taking over Manchester United!
Three league games, one Champions League, knowing how to use people well and promoting youth training!
With such a fantastic start to his tenure, how could these Chinese fans not feel proud and excited for Li Chen? !
Under the watchful eyes of the live camera, Li Chen stood up again and started playing a "game" of punching with the home Manchester United fans on the sidelines.
Although this Champions League group match is not of much significance.
But the team's ability to use youth training and rotation players to achieve a clean victory is enough to give Manchester United fans sustained happiness and satisfaction in the next few days.
After taking a two-goal lead, Manchester United began to actively shrink their formation under the command of Li Chen and did not seek credit for themselves.
When the game reached the 70th minute of the second half, Li Chen began to replace more youth training players one after another.
Greenwood, who scored the team's first goal today, was substituted in the 75th minute of the second half.
While receiving warm applause from the home fans, Greenwood also received a warm hug and encouragement from Li Chen.
Obviously, Li Chen is quite satisfied with Greenwood's performance in recent games, and will increase his playing time in the league and Champions League in the future.
Rashford was not substituted by Li Chen. He played the full 90 minutes on the field. It can be said that Li Chen used this game today to help him find his form.
If he was as lazy and unwilling to integrate into the team's tactical system in the second half as he was in the first half, the media criticizing him after the game would probably line up from Manchester to London.
However, his change of attitude in the second half did save some of his professional reputation.
The Internet is still full of criticisms of him, but the intensity has weakened a lot, and most Manchester United fans still have high expectations for him.
After being scolded and criticized in public by Li Chen, Rashford no longer dared to harbor any luck and immediately sought out Li Chen for a brief communication after the game.
Li Chen did not immediately state whether he would continue to give him patience and opportunities. He only asked him to complete daily training by benchmarking Ronaldo in the next month.
He must arrive at the training base at the same time as Ronaldo every day, and leave at the same time as Ronaldo. The quality of training must also be approved by Carrick.
If he can meet the preset standards of the coaching staff for seven consecutive days, Li Chen will give him at least 45 minutes of playing time in the league.
If you can't maintain this quality of training, the consequences will be self-evident.
Rashford, who could clearly feel that Li Chen was still giving him a chance, finally breathed a sigh of relief, and then promised Li Chen that he would complete the daily training in excess of the requirements of the coaching staff!
Seeing that his attitude was no longer perfunctory, Li Chen didn't say anything more. In the end, he just patted his shoulder meaningfully.
After the game, the British media gave almost all the glory and praise to Greenwood and Elanga who performed brilliantly in this game.
Li Chen was also happy to have some free time. He and his assistants only rested for one night, and the next morning they were again preparing for the next league game.
Three days later in the evening, Li Chen led his team to challenge Norwich, now the second-to-last team in the league, away from home.
On one side is the traditional giants that are currently on the rise in the league, and on the other side is a recognized underdog team that is likely to be relegated this season.
There doesn't seem to be much suspense in the game, and various media before the game predicted that Manchester United would easily win their fourth consecutive victory in the league.
But the start of this game caught countless spectators and reporters off guard.
Apart from the fact that Norwich was lucky enough to break through De Gea's goal through a deflection of a set-piece in the 4th minute of the game, it was also because they showed a style of play that restrained Manchester United's tactics on the field!
Norwich manager Dean Smith definitely spent a lot of time before the game studying Manchester United's tactical thinking in recent games.
Today, he predicted Li Chen's tactical arrangement and ordered his frontcourt players to press Sancho at all costs from the start.
Their set-piece opportunity to score against Manchester United also came from a tactical foul that Fred had to commit after a successful counter-attack.
Whether it was the correct tactical thinking or just sheer luck, it was an indisputable fact that Norwich took the lead early on at home.
Their relentless pressing also successfully restricted Sancho's ability to retreat into the midfield to get the ball.
Zhan Jun and Zhang Lu were watching Manchester United's poor start to the game in the studio, and they couldn't help but worry about Li Chen.
This has always been the case in the Premier League.
If a team wins consecutively in a short period of time, other teams in the league will always study it carefully and patiently.
Norwich is just the beginning. There are many stronger opponents behind who are studying Li Chen's tactical arrangements with a magnifying glass.
And today, can Li Chen successfully overcome the first hurdle after being targeted for research?
(End of this chapter)