Chapter 788 Key Figures
Chapter 788 Key Person
Grealish's shot after cutting in from the wing was blocked by Van Dijk's outstretched leg and went out of bounds, giving Aston Villa a corner kick opportunity.
Grealish stood at the corner spot, ready to take a corner kick.
Kenan Davis tried to get a position in the penalty area and Van Dijk immediately got close to him.
The referee blew the whistle, Grealish took a run-up and passed the ball into the penalty area.
Kenan Davis predicted where the football would land. He ran over and was about to jump, but he felt a pain in his lower abdomen and got a stitch in the side. He didn't jump at all.
The football flew over Kenan Davis' head and was picked up from the air by Manchester United goalkeeper De Gea.
"Kenan Davis fell in the penalty area, but the referee did not blow the whistle. Counterattack, this is Manchester United's counterattack opportunity!"
Manchester United ignored Kenan Davis who fell in the penalty area. They took advantage of this opportunity and launched a counterattack with a direct throw-in by goalkeeper De Gea.
"Foul!" Dean Smith's fat butt seemed to be equipped with springs, and he jumped up all of a sudden.
"That guy is acting." Mourinho kept shaking his finger and shouting.
The referee ignored the shouts of the two head coaches. He did not call a flop or a foul.
"The referee's meaning was very clear. Nothing happened and the game continued."
Kenan Davis got up from the ground and waved his arms in protest angrily.
Just when he was about to jump, he felt someone elbowed him in the stomach. It was Van Dijk who did it.
This bastard!
Unexpectedly, this seemingly tall and tall guy actually learned the dirty tricks of South American defenders.
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Manchester United's counterattack was very sharp. It directly broke through the midfield and headed straight into Aston Villa's penalty area.
"This is Manchester United's chance!" the MUTV commentator shouted excitedly.
At this time, Rashford tried to make a wall-to-wall pass with Bruno who was supporting him in the middle while dribbling the ball forward.
This intention was seen through by Aston Villa midfielder Nakamba, who made a pre-emptive attack and successfully intercepted the ball.
Afterwards, Nakamba passed the ball to Hourihane who retreated to receive the ball and dribbled forward.
"Beautiful! Counterattack opportunity!" shouted the Birmingham commentator.
Cut off the opponent's counterattack ball and quickly start to counterattack. This is the easiest situation to score.
However, before the Birmingham commentator finished his words, a red figure appeared in the camera and directly intercepted the ball.
"N'Golo Kante, great steal."
"Counterattack! Aston Villa's counterattack was interrupted and the ball possession changed again!"
"Now is Manchester United's chance to counterattack!" Martin Taylor shouted.
"This is why Mourinho values and likes Kante so much!" Andy Gray praised Kante.
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Over the years, many people have noticed Mourinho's love for Kante, who is currently the second-most playing player for Manchester United.
Apart from Bruno, who is considered Mourinho's biological son, Kante is the most favored.
Kante is known for his strong stamina and ability to run all over the field. He not only steals the ball on the defensive end, but also provides support to his teammates on the offensive end, creating counterattack opportunities for the team through tireless running, which is why Mourinho likes him.
Take the steal just now for example. When Nakamba stole the ball, Kante pounced on Nakamba.
The latter passed the ball to Hourihane, and Kante pounced on Hourihane.
Hourihane was obviously caught off guard by Kante's reckless and desperate pressing. He stood there to receive the ball, and then the ball was intercepted by Kante.
After intercepting the ball, Kante passed the ball directly to Gundogan and ran forward himself.
Gundogan pulled the ball with his left foot, paused with his right foot, and then looked to the left.
Just when everyone thought he was going to pass the ball to Rashford on the left, Gundogan passed the ball to the right with his left foot!
"Pretty!"
"Smart pass!"
………………
Bruno runs on the right to receive the ball.
The Manchester United captain used his superb skills to show all the audience why he is the best player in the world football!
After receiving the pass from Gundogan, Bruno continued to dribble past, which attracted Villa's defensive attention on this side.
Then, Bruno suddenly passed the ball across the middle.
"Rashford!"
Rashford appeared on the route of the football, but instead of shooting, he cleverly crossed his legs and let the ball pass!
Luke Shaw appeared at the back post.
Since the angle was not big, he did not choose to shoot, but directly swept the ball back to the right side of the goal.
The football rolled past the goal quickly.
Aston Villa's defenders were completely confused.
Not to mention running around, at that moment, they had no time to move at all. They could only defend with their eyes and could only watch the football rolling around.
On the right side of Manchester United's attack direction, Mbappe passed the ball diagonally back to the middle of the small penalty area.
Harry Kane appeared there and shot before the defender, who was obviously still in a state of panic, could get away with it.
He was looking for the top corner of the goal.
The shot was very powerful and the ball was moving at a high speed. Although Aston Villa goalkeeper Reina reacted quickly enough, he was still unable to prevent the ball from entering the net.
"GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOALLLLLLLLLLL!!!!!!!" Martin Taylor shouted.
“1:0! Harry Kane scored! This goal is so wonderful!!!”
"It's so beautiful! Aston Villa was fooled by Manchester United!"
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The TV screen was showing the entire process of the goal. The ball changed hands twice between the two sides, and Kante's beautiful interception was the key.
After Kante got the ball, he started Manchester United's offensive drill: a fake run on the left, a beautiful breakthrough after Bruno got the ball on the right, and a cross.
Rashford's clever pass was a real eye-opener.
Luke Shaw passed the ball from the left, Mbappe received the ball on the right and made an inverted triangle pass.
Harry Kane made the final decision!
Manchester United made full use of both wings and fully mobilized Aston Villa's defense. During the entire offensive process, Aston Villa's players were completely unable to keep up with the rhythm.
After taking the lead, Manchester United fans were in high spirits. After the game kicked off again in the center circle, Manchester United firmly controlled the game situation.
This very beautiful and smooth team goal seemed to open up the Ren and Du meridians of the entire Manchester United team at once.
Dean Smith stood on the sidelines with a serious expression, watching the ball being passed back and forth continuously on the field, and Aston Villa had no choice but to run along!
Manchester United kept passing the ball in the frontcourt, and Aston Villa's players were completely passive, and could only run and chase after them. When they realized that something was wrong, Manchester United had already hit the ball to the front of their penalty area...
Rashford assisted and he controlled the ball outside the penalty area.
Rashford and Mbappe, Mourinho has high requirements for the running positions of the two wingers. They are required to keep running, looking for opportunities, interspersed back and forth, and disrupt the opponent's defense.
Harry Kane stayed in the frontcourt and was ready to penetrate the penalty area at any time.
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At this moment, Harry Kane suddenly retreated to the top of the penalty area.
Mings hesitated for a moment, but still followed out.
At this moment, Harry Kane suddenly stopped while retreating, then turned around and ran towards the goal.
Mings also stopped suddenly and turned around to chase.
Mings is experienced and his experience tells him that this is an offensive tactic for Manchester United.
Harry Kane went in and out like this to lure him into a trap, and then took advantage of him not being able to react and shot at him!
Mings, who thought he had seen through everything, turned around and followed Harry Kane. Moreover, Mings's running route selection and intelligence just blocked Rashford's pass to Harry Kane.
Then, Mings, feeling a little proud, saw Rashford pass the ball to the other side.
"Beautiful! Rashford! He slipped the ball through the gap in Aston Villa's defense."
Rashford did not choose to pass to Harry Kane, but instead feinted and shot diagonally to the right.
At the same time, Bruno suddenly moved forward and passed through Aston Villa's defense.
"Bruno! He appeared behind the defense and... received the ball!"
In Manchester United under Mourinho, Gundogan serves as the organizing midfielder, while Bruno, the team's current biggest player and Mourinho's most direct player, plays the role of "creator".
The Manchester United captain's footwork, vision and awareness make him fully qualified for this job. He can pass the ball, shoot, break through and organize.
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"Bruno! Not offside!!" Andy Gray shouted immediately.
The hearts of Aston Villa fans in the away team stand at Villa Park were all in a knot. If Manchester United had scored two goals in the first half, Aston Villa would have been in danger.
If Villa loses today's game, its relegation prospects will become difficult.
"Bruno! Not offside!"
"Single sword!"
Mourinho took a deep breath and looked at the Aston Villa goal.
He had faith in Bruno.
Bruno, who successfully countered offside, would never be weak when faced with such a good opportunity to face the goalkeeper.
If we were to ask who is the calmest and most mentally competent player in Manchester United when facing a one-on-one chance, it would definitely be Bruno.
Bruno was surprisingly calm when facing Aston Villa goalkeeper Reina. He immediately judged that he had at least two or three good shooting angles and shooting techniques.
Bruno chose a low shot into the far corner.
He volleyed directly and hard while keeping the ball low.
The football is shot down with great force, sticking to the grass, and at an extremely high speed, which makes it difficult for the goalkeeper to lower his center of gravity and make a quick save.
Reina had no time to complete the save as the football quickly passed by his left foot, then continued forward and went into the goal!
