Chapter 52: The Wild of Midwinter
'More than half a season took the team out of the mire, which was an emergency exam for Ferguson and he did a fantastic job in the end.'
- Caption
Ferguson's three fires at Manchester United were very effective and had an immediate effect.
The strict implementation of prohibition gradually restores the player's state and also establishes Ferguson's authority in the locker room; the optimization of tactical play is conducive to Ferguson's rebuilding of the team and enhancing combat effectiveness; the emphasis on sports medical treatment is conducive to the recovery of players' injuries on the one hand, on the other hand, it can improve the physical fitness of players through sports medicine, and better cope with intensive schedules; paying attention to youth training of course can not provide immediate combat strength, but Ferguson inherits the tradition and carries forward it, in line with the requirements of the team. On the other hand, Ferguson also made everyone understand through this action that he was ready to coach the team for a long time and implement a long-term strategy.
Ferguson firmly believes that the team needs to be rebuilt, and the cornerstone of his future success must be his own youth training work. For a giant like Manchester United to stand the test of time and remain undefeated, it must rely on a strong and stable youth training system, and there are constantly the mainstay of the team.
From understanding the players, to controlling the players, to promoting the players, Ferguson's management strategy is step by step, very solid and effective; and for the entire club, from stopping the decline, to stabilizing the combat effectiveness, to restoring the state of the strong team, seeking new breakthroughs, Ferguson's countermeasures are targeted. In the long run, it was Ferguson who revived the team and the academy laid a key anchor.
The three fires were not Ferguson's hot head, Ferguson's thunder tactics worked. With the implementation of various measures, Manchester United club quickly showed a new look.
After Ferguson took office on November 6, the game continued. Ferguson, who took over temporarily, faces the most important task of leading the team out of the relegation quagmire and bringing the team back to the ranks of the strong.
After being humiliated by Wimbledon, Ferguson frantically activated the "hair dryer", which had a certain effect. Manchester United players have been humiliated and have really bounced back from the bottom. A wave of good results was achieved. Ferguson's side stopped their slump in a 3-3 home draw with Tottenham Hotspur in December, followed by a 3-3 draw away to Aston Villa. Entering the Christmas and New Year fast lane, Ferguson's side Manchester United picked up their spirits and killed Leicester City 2-0 at home, achieving a rare victory.
Morale was boosted by the victory, and Ferguson knew the importance of a single blow and quickly regrouped to challenge Liverpool.
This is Ferguson's first time challenging Liverpool since taking charge of Manchester United.
In a situation where fans and the media were not optimistic all over the UK, including the club's own reporters felt that Manchester United did not have much chance of winning, Ferguson's team suddenly went on the road and won 1:0 against the hegemonic and powerful Liverpool team at the time.
Ferguson's team showed off their strong nature at Anfield with an astonishing triumph. The victory was so heart-pounding, so exhilarating, that it could even be said to be an earth-shattering victory that Ferguson brought to Manchester United fans that year.
This is Ferguson's first win over Liverpool since taking charge of Manchester United.
Not only that, but it was United's only away win this season. Whether it is Ferguson or Atkinson, United have made 21 away appearances in the whole season, and they have only won this one game against Liverpool.
In this suffocating away game at Anfield Stadium, Ferguson and his team resisted the crazy cheers of the opponent's fans, withstood the opponent's strong attack and oppression, and the whole team came together to play the morale and morale that Ferguson hoped to see. In this game, which was rendered as a "red derby", Ferguson's team used its life to fight with all its might, facing a powerful opponent without fear, carrying the opponent's midfield stranglehold battle and withstanding the fierce pressing of the opponent. Not only that, but United also seized the fighter, broke the ball in the case of passive breakup and launched a quick counterattack, whiteside broke through the opponent's goal and scored. After taking a 1-0 lead, the United team finally held the victory and laughed to the end with a tight formation and the fighting spirit of sacrificing themselves to block the gun hole.
Ferguson felt the strength of the League One supremacy in his first game against Liverpool. In the '80s, English football was the red of Liverpool. How many times Manchester United have tried to attack the title, but it has failed, and the wronged creditors are often Liverpool. After Busby retired in the 70s, England's brightest red color belonged to Liverpool.
Liverpool dominate the league and dominate the world, they played a tactical with a significant English style, and have always been the banner of The English club. By the time Ferguson took charge of Manchester United, Liverpool were on their way to their final glory. The then manager Dalglish was the "King of Anfield", a meritorious player, a legendary superstar, who won the league title and the FA Cup in his debut season, becoming a radiant young man.
Dalglish inherited Liverpool's boot house tradition and continued his rule over League One. Even though there were already many teams challenging In English football that year, Liverpool always had a strong sense of self-confidence, allowing them to fight in the British Isles and destroy the decay.
From the source point of view, Ferguson is also the predecessor of Dalglish, and both are also Scottish fellows. However, they had contradictions when they were in the Scottish national team that year, and they did not get along very well. This time the British gathering, the two are even more enemies to see each other is extremely red.
Although United won this "red derby", Ferguson also knew that the power comparison between the two teams was still very different, and Liverpool and Daglish could still show off their might for a long time.
Ferguson certainly did not accept this, saying: "Please believe that we have enough strength to beat any opponent, even if the opponent is Liverpool. ”
Ferguson mobilized the players to fight hard before the game, "We came to Anfield to kill the opponent, just to prove ourselves. I once toppled two of Scotland's giants, and Aberdeen was completely unpopular. So now the task is also very simple, you only need to play 100% of the strength, inspire the belief of victory, burn the fighting spirit, then you can defeat the opponent and enjoy the game! ”
Ferguson exhorted loudly, "We have nothing to lose, we don't have any baggage, we don't need any concerns, the opponent is more afraid of losing, more worried about our fighting spirit." We came here to fight! ”
Let's all remember these United players, they are the heroes of this game: Walsh, Sevibek, Gibson, Whiteside, Moran, Duxbury, Robson, Strakan, Stapleton, Davenport, Olson. This is the strongest Manchester United Ferguson can discharge, and the starter deserves the reputation of the Red Devils. Each of these players is like igniting a small universe, sacrificing their lives and never giving in. The midfielders of Robson and Strakan once gave up their technique and rhythm and threw themselves into hand-to-hand combat; Whiteside and Davenport not only attacked in the front, but also returned to the back in time to assist; Manchester United's two flanks were repeatedly attacked by opponents, but whether it was full-back or full-back, or center-back, they consciously came back to block the gun hole. Despite the passivity of the scene, United still seized a gap in the opponent and completed the kill with a flash of inspiration from Whiteside. In the dangerous moment of being attacked by the opponent, both Davenport and Robson fought to the thigh cramps, and Strakan, who rarely put the shovel, also played the fire and returned to the half of the fierce shovel to intercept. When the pressure was at its highest, the entire Manchester United team returned to the penalty area to defend, which was really a great wall of human flesh to withstand the opponent's artillery fire.
The rare victory marked United's strong rebound, with a resounding record in the next 10 games, being beaten just once. On 1 January 1987, against Newcastle United, Ferguson's side won 4–1 and all United fans were ecstatic.
United became more active after entering 1987, returning home to win again after taking out Liverpool away in December. Manchester United beat Liverpool twice, beat Newcastle, killed Arsenal 2-0, and played a rare prestige for a time.
Arsenal had also just changed managers, and after Ferguson declined the invitation, they eventually let Graham teach.
Graham's Arsenal are not an art team, they are well-known hardliners, representatives of traditional English football. Graham continued to reinforce his tough style, continuing to play with his high-pitched, sideways punches.
The Gunners are strong and a league one powerhouse, and Manchester United have lost to them for the first time this season. After Ferguson took charge, United won such a strong opponent, both in terms of morale and points.
The media quickly turned, and the Manchester Evening News asserted after Manchester United won the Liverpool battle, "Manchester United, who can beat Liverpool, or even double them, is unlikely to be relegated, and Ferguson puts the team back on the right track!" ”
The BBC said: "Ferguson has made Manchester United a radical change and this team now has a rare confidence, a strong spirit. They are not afraid of any opponent, they have the ability to defeat any opponent. Ferguson's results are remarkable. ”
Ferguson was no less than ever against the season's final league winner, the mighty Everton team, and was brave and tenacious at home to tie the opponents. In contrast, before Ferguson took office, the Red Devils were not vulnerable to Everton at all, simply losing 3 goals.
Beat Liverpool, beat Arsenal, draw Everton, draw Tottenham Hotspur, who are third in the league... These games are hard-fought and have a lot of significance for United, who are at a low ebb. Manchester United players were able to regain confidence and raise the alarm of everyone and re-acquaint themselves with Manchester. Ferguson miraculously restored the Manchester United to excellent form, injecting a strong fighting spirit that no one can take lightly.
It can be said that after entering 1987, Ferguson's Manchester United was a tough and respectable opponent in the minds of every league powerhouse. Although Manchester United has long since missed the league title and the team has suffered serious attrition due to injuries, the team's combat effectiveness cannot be taken lightly no matter when and where.
Ferguson's coaching has made Manchester United stand out from the league and they have become a strong team again.
At the end of the 1986-1987 season, United finished at 11th in the table. This result is very satisfactory to sane fans and the board. After coaching Manchester United, Ferguson led the team to play 29 league games, winning 11 draws and losing 8 games, soaring from 18th to 11th on 6 November 1986, from relegation to midstream. If points had only been calculated since Ferguson took charge, Ferguson's team could even reach the top three in the league.
Manchester United rose rapidly, and The same city of Manchester City was unable to escape the doom. Blue Moon, who was in the same relegation zone, ended up in the penultimate and unfortunately relegated.
Ferguson tried his hand at relegation.
By the end of the season, the team as a whole had changed significantly. Manchester United, once full of injuries, is gone, Manchester United, once full of drunks, and the players who were once languishing are gone. Under Ferguson's iron fist, the team was re-kneaded into a shape, and the team showed a different spirit.
Ferguson brought something different, the board approved, and Manchester United fans saw hope.
He earned the trust of the board and fans.