The Red Devils' revival starts with retaining Mourinho

Back in Manchester, Manchester United continued its strong performance in all aspects. First:

On December 10, in the last round of the UEFA Champions League Group H, Manchester United faced the Spanish team Valencia at home. Since Manchester United has secured the first place in the group and Valencia is destined to rank third and play in the Europa League qualifiers. The two teams with no desires and no ambitions sent out a substitute lineup dominated by young players.

Manchester United's starting lineup is strong and the fans are full of expectations. Captain Maguire leads the defense, De Gea guards the goal, Theo Fernandez, Gvardiol and Ashraf form a solid defense. The midfield is controlled by Pogba, Verratti and Olmo, and the forward line of Gakpo, Erling Haaland and Musiala forms a formidable trident.

When the game whistle sounded, Manchester United quickly launched an offensive. The players ran actively and passed the ball accurately, trying to break the deadlock early. Haaland was extremely active in the frontcourt. With his excellent physical fitness and keen sense of smell, he constantly threatened Valencia's defense.

In the 20th minute of the first half, Manchester United's midfield launched a subtle cooperation. Olmo sent a precise through pass. After Haaland received the ball, he got rid of the defense of the opponent's defender with his excellent personal ability, shot the ball directly into the dead corner of the goal, and Manchester United led 1:0! Old Trafford was instantly in a carnival, and the cheers of the fans were deafening.

However, Valencia was not upset by this goal. They quickly organized an effective counterattack. Manchester United's defense was under great pressure. Maguire, as the captain, commanded his teammates to hold their ground.

Near the end of the first half, Valencia seized a loophole in Manchester United's defense and scored a goal to equalize the score.

During the halftime break, the atmosphere in the Manchester United locker room was solemn. The coach encouraged the players and asked them to stay focused and motivated in the second half.

At the beginning of the second half, Manchester United launched a fierce attack again. In a corner attack, Gwadiol scored with a header, and Manchester United took the lead again. But the good times did not last long. Valencia showed a tenacious fighting spirit and equalized the score again.

The game was extremely intense, and players from both sides tried their best. However, just as the game was coming to an end, an unfortunate scene happened. Maguire collided violently with the opponent's player in a defense and fell to the ground. The team doctor quickly entered the field. After a short treatment, Maguire could not continue the game and was carried off the field on a stretcher. His face was full of pain and helplessness, and his teammates came around to encourage and bless him.

In the end, the game ended with a score of 2:2. Manchester United shook hands with Valencia at home. Although the team did not win, the fighting spirit shown by the players on the field is admirable. Maguire's serious injury cast a shadow on the game.

That night, news came from Manchester Royal Hospital that the team captain and main central defender Maguire was confirmed to have a tibia fracture and would be out for at least 4-6 months.

On December 16, in the Premier League, Manchester United embarked on an away challenge to Nottingham Forest.

At the beginning of the game, Manchester United players showed a strong desire to win. Captain De Gea stood in front of the goal with a firm look in his eyes, directing his teammates to attack and defend.

Theo Fernandez broke through like lightning on the left, the central defender line formed by Varane and Gvardiol was as solid as a rock, and Ashraf's defense on the right was also airtight.

In the midfield, Pogba showed his superb skills, passing the ball cleverly to organize the attack. Verratti relied on his excellent ball control ability to stabilize the rhythm of the midfield. Bellingham actively ran and created opportunities for the team.

On the front line, Gakpo kept running and engaging the opponent's defense. Lukaku relied on his strong body to fight fiercely with the opponent's defender.

And Cavani, the experienced shooter, has been waiting for his chance.

In the 25th minute of the first half, Bellingham sent a precise through ball, Cavani understood it, started quickly, got rid of the defense of the opponent's defender, and calmly pushed the ball into the goal! Manchester United led 1:0, and the away fans area was boiling instantly.

Cavani opened his arms excitedly and ran towards the stands of Manchester United fans. His teammates also rushed in like a tide. Lukaku hugged Cavani's neck, Pogba, Verratti and others followed closely behind, hugging and high-fiving each other, with joy and excitement on their faces. Cavani roared excitedly, as if he wanted to release all his inner passion.

Nottingham Forest stepped up their attack and tried to equalize the score, but Manchester United's defense never gave them a chance.

In the second half, Manchester United still controlled the rhythm of the game.In the 60th minute, Pogba sent a long pass from the midfield, and Cavani succeeded in offside. Facing the goalkeeper who came out, he cleverly lobbed the ball into the net again, and Manchester United expanded its lead by 2:0.

This time, Cavani ran to the corner flag area, slid to his knees, and his teammates behind him rushed up and pressed him under him. Everyone piled up and cheered to their heart's content. Cavani climbed up from the crowd and waved his fists towards the stands with his teammates, accepting the cheers of the fans.

The players of Nottingham Forest seemed a little impatient, and there were loopholes in the defense. In the 80th minute, Gakpo was brought down on the edge of the penalty area, and Manchester United won a free kick. Cavani stood in front of the ball, took a deep breath, and kicked a curved ball around the wall and hit the upper right corner of the goal, completing a hat trick!

At this time, the Manchester United players were in a crazy celebration. De Gea ran all the way from the goal and hugged Cavani tightly. Everyone gathered in a circle, jumping and dancing, their excitement was beyond words. Cavani was lifted high by his teammates, enjoying this glorious moment.

The final whistle sounded, and Manchester United defeated Nottingham Forest 3:0. Cavani became the hero of the game, and his teammates gathered around to congratulate him. This victory allowed Manchester United to take another solid step in the journey of the Premier League.

On December 23, in the FA Cup quarter-finals, the away game challenged the Premier League team Newcastle United Club. Like the previous round, head coach Mourinho still gave the stage to Ferland Mendy, Gvardiol, Nico Williams, Olmo, Jude Bellingham, Mason Greenwood, Erling Haaland, Musiala and other young players and substitutes.

The cold wind whistled on the court, but it could not blow out the burning fighting spirit in the hearts of Manchester United players. Captain De Gea guarded the goal, Ferland Mendy and Gvardiol were on guard in the defense, Nico Williams and Olmo broke through sharply on the wing, Jude Bellingham controlled the rhythm in the midfield, and Mason Greenwood, Erling Haaland and Musiala formed a chilling attacking group in the frontcourt.

At the beginning of the game, the two sides started a fierce competition. Newcastle United took the lead in launching a fierce attack with the advantage of home court, and Manchester United's defense was under great pressure. However, Manchester United's players did not retreat at all. They worked closely together and stubbornly resisted the opponent's attack.

In the 20th minute of the first half, Manchester United made a wonderful counterattack. Olmo sent a precise long pass in the midfield, Nico Williams inserted like a flash of lightning, and after receiving the ball, he calmly pushed the ball into the far corner, and the ball went into the net, and Manchester United led 1:0. Manchester United players hugged each other excitedly, and warm cheers broke out in the away team's fan area.

Newcastle United was not to be outdone and stepped up their attack. But Manchester United's defense was as solid as a rock, defusing the opponent's threats time and time again.

In the second half, Jude Bellingham received a pass from Musiala at the front of the penalty area in the 55th minute. After a slight adjustment, he shot the ball straight into the upper corner of the goal, and Manchester United expanded their lead by 2:0.

However, Newcastle United did not give up. They scored two goals in the 65th and 70th minutes to tie the score.

At the critical moment, Manchester United's players showed strong psychological qualities. In the 75th minute, Olmo received a wonderful pass from Greenwood in the penalty area and shot low. The ball rolled into the goal from the goalkeeper's armpit, and Manchester United led again 3:2.

In the 85th minute, Mason Greenwood made a long shot outside the penalty area, and the ball flew into the net like a cannonball, and Manchester United secured the victory 4:2.

The Manchester United players on the field celebrated wildly, running, hugging each other, and releasing their inner joy.

Unfortunately, in the final stage of the game, central defender Lindelof was injured and fell to the ground during a defense. After examination by the team doctor, it was confirmed that he had a cruciate ligament strain. Teammates gathered around, their faces full of concern.

In the end, Manchester United defeated Newcastle United 4:2 away and successfully advanced to the FA Cup quarterfinals.

The fighting spirit and outstanding performance of Manchester United's young team in this game made fans full of expectations for the future. But Lindelof's injury cast a shadow on this victory. After all, this is the second central defender of Manchester United who has been seriously injured in half a month. At present, the only genuine central defenders of Manchester United club who can play are Varane and Gvardiol, but everyone knows that Varane is not made of steel; and Gvardiol, who was born in 2002, is not yet 17 years old and is a child laborer; although right-back Chris Smalling can also play as a central defender, this is precarious when the season is in full swing.The precarious defense line obviously cannot meet the needs of the team's four-line championship. Everyone knows that Manchester United must introduce 1-2 central defenders in this winter window.

As expected by the outside world, an emergency meeting was held in Manchester United's office the day after Lindelof's injury was confirmed.

Club chairman Rowley, vice chairman Nicky Butt, sports director Solskjaer, head coach Mourinho, assistant coach Van Nistelrooy, Scholes and other six members of the club's transfer decision-making group were all present, and members of the club's transfer team were all around them.

The atmosphere was depressing and heavy, and everyone knew that the team was facing a serious crisis.

"We can't go on like this." Mourinho broke the silence, his voice low and powerful, "The injuries of the central defenders have seriously affected the team's defensive system. We must find a solution as soon as possible."

The head of the transfer team, Tom, spoke first: "Coach, we have compiled a preliminary list of signings. But the current situation is that some top central defenders may be difficult to get in this transfer window."

Mourinho frowned and crossed his hands on his chest: "No matter what, we have to try our best. Tell me what you think."

Tom opened the folder in his hand and began to introduce: "First, there is Kalidou Kouliba from Serie A Napoli Club Koulibaly, born on June 20, 1991, has dual French/Senegalese nationality. He has excellent physical fitness and strong defense. But Naples may not let him go easily. "

Mourinho nodded slightly: "Kulibaly is a good choice, but it is indeed very difficult. Continue."

"There is also Niklas Sule of Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga. He was born in 1995, young and promising, with good high-altitude ball and confrontation ability. He participated in the World Cup with the German national team this year. "

"Sule..." Mourinho thought, "but his experience may not be rich enough."

The discussion was going on intensely, and every name was brought up, accompanied by various pros and cons analysis and weighing. Mourinho nodded from time to time, and shook his head from time to time, his eyes were always focused and sharp.

"Coach, there are actually some potential new stars, such as Ruben Dias from the Portuguese Super League. Although he is not very famous, he has performed very well."

Mourinho raised his head: "Potential new stars are risky, but they may also bring surprises. But what we need now is players who can immediately improve the team's strength."

The meeting lasted for a long time, and the names on the signing list continued to increase and decrease. Mourinho stood up and put his hands on the table: "Everyone, time is tight. We must determine the target as soon as possible and start negotiations. No matter how difficult it is, I must bring the right central defender to the team before the transfer window closes."

The members of the transfer team nodded one after another. They knew the heavy responsibility they shouldered. At this challenging time, they must go all out to find a solid pillar for Manchester United's defense and help the team out of trouble.

After the meeting, Rowley specifically called the six members of the club's transfer decision-making group, including Vice Chairman Nicky Butt, Football Director Solskjaer, Head Coach Mourinho, Assistant Coach Van Nistelrooy, and Scholes, to his office. After sitting down, Rowe said to the head coach Mourinho, "What is Jorge Mendes busy with recently? Please make an appointment with him for me, I want to talk to him?"

"Jorge Mendes... Mr. Chairman, what are you talking about?"

"Kepler Laveran Lima Ferreira." Rowe smiled evilly.

"Pepe?! His experience is enough as an emergency player. And he just terminated his contract with Besiktas a few days ago. Now he is a free agent, so it shouldn't cost too much budget." Solskjaer agreed.

"But he is almost 36 years old..." Mourinho still has some doubts.

"Jose, this is a player who gets better with age." Rowe, who is familiar with the future, knows very well that even in 2024, six years later, Pepe will still be the main central defender of the Portuguese national team, and the European Cup almost freezes the powerful attacking group of the French team. "Well, let the transfer department continue to look for him. I plan to sign Pepe and lead the team. You know, Pepe's central defender skills are unique."

"Okay, boss."