The reason why the media focused on Anderson was naturally because the Red Devils lacked players. With Phil Jones suspended, the Red Devils lacked players in the midfield, which made Anderson's appearance even more eye-catching.
At the same time, it also reflected a problem that the Red Devils fans had been talking about in recent years: the decline in the strength of the team's lineup!
On the other hand, Manchester United's "noisy neighbor" had a lot of talent in the midfield.
What was even more ironic was that the combination of Manchester City's substitute midfielders, Nasri and De Jong, was a level stronger than Manchester United's main midfielders combination, Anderson and Fletcher. The facts of the game proved that the latter two were completely "unable to hold on" in the midfield battle.
And with Anderson's current ability, it would be difficult for him to even have a place on Manchester City's substitutes' bench.
How could such a player deserve to occupy a precious place in Manchester United's lineup with a glorious history?!
At this time, Sir Ferguson was probably regretting some of his decisions in the summer: this summer, Manchester United had the opportunity to take either of the two top attacking midfielders, Snede and Nasri, but for various reasons, Manchester United finally brushed past them.
Ferguson turned the heavy responsibility over to Anderson, who had been transferred in 2007 but had been unable to take on the big responsibility.
In fact, this decision was a fatal blow to the Manchester United team — after Scholes' retirement, Manchester United could not find any player in the current lineup who could organize the offense in the middle and pass the threatening ball, except for the "living fossil" Ryan Giggs, who was about to turn 38 years old.
Howard, the Fleet Street reporter, wrote on his Twitter account after the match: "Sneijder … Cleverley … Something should have happened. For Manchester United, with a second-rate midfielder, this season's hope seems too slim. "
After the home defeat to the derby's arch-rival Manchester City, Ferguson called it "the worst day in Manchester United's history."
Evans was sent off in the 47th minute, which became the turning point of the game. In the last four minutes, Manchester City scored three goals in a row, making Manchester United swallow the bitter fruit of a crushing defeat.
After the game, Ferguson said, "This is the worst day we've ever had. This is the worst result in my coaching history. Even in my career as a player, I don't remember us losing 1: 6.
I can't believe the score.
The first goal was undoubtedly a blow to us, but with a 0: 1 deficit, we have the ability to come back. In the second half, Evans was sent off to kill us.
When we were behind with a score of 1: 4, we still maintained our offensive posture. They repeatedly formed a three versus two situation. This was crazy football!
I think that we have experienced players in the back line, Ferdinand and Evra. They will shoulder more of the heavy responsibility of defense, but we are just blindly attacking.
We should only be able to say, 'It's our turn too.'
It was a terrible day. We will recover and by January we will be fine. We usually start the second half of the season.
We have already beaten all the teams around Manchester United in the table and they still have to fight each other. Therefore, the second half of the season is very important for us now.
We will respond to this, no doubt about it. For us to respond, this is a perfect result because the locker room is full of an awkward atmosphere.
What I am concerned about is the goal difference. Last season, the goal difference was very advantageous to us. Most seasons are very advantageous to us, but this time might be different. "
Perhaps no one would have thought of sweeping Manchester United 6: 1 at Old Trafford before the game. However, the rising Manchester City team did it and made the insufferably arrogant Red Devils taste their most painful defeat in 50 years. Of course, all of this was achieved under the leadership of the Italian young manager, Mancini.
Perhaps before this game, all the Premier League fans would have thought that Mancini was the weakest link in Manchester City's "new giant starship." His previous coaching experience at Inter Milan and Lazio was not convincing. After coming to Manchester City in the Premier League, although he had a good card in his hands that all the coaches in the world would be jealous of, the results he gave were really average. Last season, he only relied on an FA Cup title to barely keep his position.
However, today, it was this person who was called the "weakest link" who made the powerful Manchester United suffer the most painful defeat in history. Moreover, they lost to Manchester City, which they disdained and contemptuously called the "noisy neighbor."
It was easy to imagine the depression in Ferguson's heart. Of course, Mancini was able to hear the cheers and shouts of the fans at Old Trafford, which was a rare sight.
When the game went on to the 69th minute, Agüero scored Manchester City's third goal of the game. After sealing the victory, the visiting Manchester City fans finally sang praises for their hero. The cheers of "Mancini, Mancini, Mancini" were endless. Using the description of Sky Sports, the Manchester City fans did not stop singing praises for Mancini for the next 30 minutes. And such wild cheers and praises turned into a long period of applause after the game ended. This moment could be said to be the most glorious moment in Mancini's 11-year coaching career. From Lazio to Fiorentina, and then to Inter Milan, the Italian young manager had never been treated with such respect! Even when he led Inter Milan to win the Premier League title.
After the game, Mancini shook hands with Ferguson with a serious face. Although his expression was grim, the Italian's heart was already blooming with joy.
At Manchester City's substitutes' bench near the end of the game, the camera captured Mancini's impudent smile and his signature dimples …
Next door to Manchester, Liverpool watched the fire from the other side of the river. They happily watched the "dogfight" between Manchester United and Manchester City. Although the results of the game did not necessarily make the Liverpool players and fans happy, a closer look at the changes in the league table showed that Liverpool's ranking had quickly jumped to second place in the league table in this round!
Manchester City led the league table with 25 points, and their momentum was indeed like a rainbow!
Liverpool were in second place with 20 points, five points behind the top.
Manchester United and Chelsea both lost in this round with only 19 points.
Arsenal's 13 points had also closed the gap between them and the top four.
Liverpool, the defending champion, had jumped from fourth place to second place after two rounds of games. Their catching up momentum was particularly strong.
While Fleet Street was full of praises for Manchester City's rise, the defending champion, Liverpool, was calmly watching it all.
Years of experience in the past told the Red Army not to laugh when they had not gained anything!
This was the case for being in the lead, and it was also the case for being behind.
Manchester City, if you want to be proud, go ahead and do it!
Only nine rounds of the league tournament had been played.
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