In the fourth round of the 2021-22 FA Cup, Manchester United stepped onto the pitch again after a half-month break against Championship mid-range side Middlesbrough. In this game, Lonnick sent the full main force to fight, and Luke Shaw and Pogba, who returned from injury, were put on the team. Veteran C Ronaldo, who is about to turn 37, topped the center position, Sancho and Rashford were separated on both sides, and B Fei was behind him to support the strategy.
The huge disparity in the value of the two teams, the huge gap in the hard power of the players, and almost no one doubted before the game that Manchester United could start the February journey with a big win. But football is round, the value can only be used as a reference, to the field, the factors that determine the outcome are multifaceted. Middlesbrough coach Wilder set his mind right, lining up 3 centre-backs and focusing on defensive counter-attacks. United have the ball, with 71% possession in the whole game, and most of the game is spent on half-court attack and defense drills, but in the face of Miburg's united defense, Manchester United wasted opportunities again and again.
Throughout the game, United set a staggering 30 shots on goal, averaging one shot on goal in minutes. But apart from Sancho's goal in the 25th minute, United's other 29 shots only tested the opposing goalkeeper Ramley, and the game was dragged into a penalty shootout. To be honest, the weak team can withstand the attack of the strong team and drag the game to the penalty shootout, and it will definitely have a psychological advantage.
From the process of taking penalties, we can also clearly feel the confidence and determination of the Miburg players, who have prepared for this link before the game. From McNair, who made his first appearance, to Pelletier, the last to take the penalty, every player's shots were clean and crisp. Instead, after C Ronaldo's previous penalty loss, the United fans were terrified, and it was difficult to hold out until the 8th round of Erlanga, the youngster pushed the ball high with too much force, and Mi fort advanced to the 5th round with an aggregate score of 8-7.
After the game, criticism from all sides was overwhelming, and there were also many voices attacking the VAR of this game for not making a fair decision. However, against the Champions League midstream team, Manchester United, who are clearly superior, were dragged by their opponents to the final penalty shootout. Ronaldo did not score a penalty, B Fee, Rashford repeatedly wasted good opportunities, so squandered opportunities, but after the game to argue about a goal that was verified by VAR and judged to be valid, this is itself a failure.
Although it is a pity to be eliminated, because Manchester United have lost another chance to win the title, and it is a relatively more certain chance. But, from another perspective, this may not be a bad thing for Lonnick.
First of all, the Manchester United winter window "blood loss" is serious. Martial, Van der Beek and Amade Diallo all left the team on loan, and Greenwood was sidelined indefinitely due to off-field turmoil, and United's attackers in the front court were only C Ronaldo, Cavani, Rashford, Sancho and Erlanga. There are 5 players in 3 positions, and the center position is 34-year-old Cavani and 37-year-old Ronaldo. The right winger is Sancho, who has not yet fully proven himself, and on the left is the unstable 19-year-old Eran, who is in a timely and ineffectual Rashford.
To be honest, even if such a set of lineups crosses Fort Mi in this round of the FA Cup, there are still strong teams such as Manchester City, Liverpool and Chelsea waiting in the later schedule, and Manchester United is equally fierce when it encounters such an opponent.
Secondly, from the course of this game, it can be seen that Manchester United's midfielder has Pogba or not is a team of 2 levels. Although they have been out of line for a long time, Pogba can hold the ball and pass threatening balls when he is on the floor, and United's midfield is sorted out. After being substituted in the 81st minute, United's midfield was suddenly in a state of disorder.
What are United's main goals this season? There is no doubt that it is a scramble for 4. Since it is a struggle for 4, Manchester United must keep this set of main squads in full physical fitness and play at their best. Pogba's presence determines United's ceiling, and he has to be reused. The FA Cup is out and the schedule is reduced, which is certainly a good thing for Pogba, who has been recovering from a long illness, and for Ronnick, who is short of manpower in the front line.