Meanwhile, in the Manchester United dressing room, Sir Alex Ferguson was also busy, speaking to his players with a hint of anger in his voice.
"I don't want to see last year's ending again, kids! In this match, which ranks among the top three most important of the entire year, I want you to give it your most serious attitude and your best performance. If you can win this match today, in addition to winning the Premier League title, you will also have a huge psychological advantage in Moscow in just over ten days! Remember, we only have one goal today, and that is to beat them and win the championship!"
The Manchester United players were also very excited.
Europe has many wealthy and powerful families.
No top club can guarantee that its players can maintain a consistently high level of performance to compete for various championships.
Manchester United has done a very good job in the last two years.
Under Ferguson's leadership, this Manchester United team has reached the final in the league for two consecutive years, just one step away from touching the Premier League trophy.
This is actually quite rare, and for some players on the team, this may even be the only opportunity in their careers to win such a prestigious championship.
Last year's last-minute loss of the title left Manchester United players with a deep sense of regret. Now, back at the club, their natural goal is revenge—to snatch the trophy from Leeds United!
So Ferguson had barely finished speaking when...
Led by several veterans, Manchester United players rose to their feet, raising their arms in a triumphant cheer, their spirit no less than that of their neighbors, Leeds United...
····
Sky Sports Studios.
Reinkel and Jon, dressed in suits and wearing headphones, had already finished their self-introductions.
"Come on, friends, the players from both teams are already in the player tunnel and ready. We also have the starting lineups for both sides. This match that will determine who will be the Premier League champion this season is about to begin!"
After Lineker finished speaking, Jon cleared his throat and continued, "Let's take a look at Manchester United's starting lineup now! Ferguson made some changes today. The starting lineup is different from the last game against West Ham United, and the formation has changed from 3-4-3 to 4-3-3!"
"The goalkeeper is still Kasper Schmeichel, this is the Dane's first time playing at Elland Road since his transfer to Manchester United! In defense, the two center-backs are still Vidic and Ferdinand, the left-back is Evra, and the right-back is Wes Brown. In midfield, Carrick anchors the center, with Park Ji-sung and Scholes in front of him. Then there are the three forwards, Berbatov in the center, with Cristiano Ronaldo and Rooney on his left and right!"
"It's clear that Ferguson hasn't held back just because it's an away game today." After reading out Manchester United's starting lineup, Jon immediately offered his analysis. "This lineup is also in line with Manchester United's current situation. After all, they can only overtake Leeds United and win the 2007-2008 Premier League title if they win away from home today!"
Lineker nodded in agreement, then read out Leeds United's starting lineup.
"Next up is Leeds United. Today, Lee has fielded a 4-3-2-1 formation! The goalkeeper is Neuer, and the four defenders, from left to right, are Kolarov, Thiago Silva, Kompany, and Alves. In midfield, Lahm, Modric, and Alonso form the three holding midfielders, with Kaká and James Rodriguez in front of them, and Brazilian striker Adriano leading the attack!"
“Here they come, Jon.” Lineker smiled broadly after reading out the list. “I told you so, didn’t I? This season, whenever we face a strong opponent, Lee will use this Christmas tree formation, hoping to win the game by controlling the midfield.”
Jon glared at his partner and retorted, "Don't think I don't know what you really mean is that Chelsea isn't a particularly strong opponent for Leeds United."
He realized that his purpose had been seen through at a glance.
Lineker stuck out his tongue: "Compared to Leeds United and Manchester United, Chelsea in the second half of the season is indeed not strong... Let's not talk about that. In my opinion, if Lee really values the midfield today, then with Carrick alone, I think Manchester United will not be able to stop Leeds United's midfield attacks!"
Jon pondered for a moment, then shook his head: "On the surface, that's true, but you have to understand, what we can think of, Ferguson can definitely think of too. I think he guessed Lee's idea, which is why he started Park Ji-sung. Although the Korean is a bit rough, when it comes to sweeping up in midfield, he should be considered one of the strongest in Manchester United."
"You mean...?" Reinkel didn't quite understand.
"Look, after the start, Park Ji-sung's position will likely be quite deep. The Korean will most likely form a double pivot with Carrick. And when defending, I think Ronaldo and Rooney will also drop back quite deep. Manchester United's formation will change from 4-3-3 to 4-5-1!"
····
Led by today's referee, Clattenburg, the two teams filed out of the players' tunnel.
Step into Elland Road Stadium.
The first thing that catches the eye is the huge TIFO displayed by Leeds United fans in the South Stand, with a huge portrait of Li Shiguang in the very center of the TIFO, his hands outstretched, smiling as he looks at Elland Road Stadium in front of him.
On Li Shiguang's outstretched hands, his left hand held the yellow Leeds United team crest, while his right hand held three trophies stacked together to form a triangle. It was easy to tell from their shape that the three trophies were the Champions League, the Premier League, and the FA Cup.
At the very bottom of the entire image is a slogan.
"The championship will forever belong to Lee and his white-clad army!"
The fans in the South Stand are Leeds United's most loyal supporters.
Li Shiguang knew many of them.
However, before entering the stadium and seeing the giant TIFO, Li Shiguang had no idea that the fans had given him such a great gift.
Among the Leeds United substitutes, Simeone was the first to be startled by this TIFO.
After recognizing that the person in the picture was Li Shiguang.
Simone, sitting next to Li Shiguang, said with envy, "Boss, when will I get this kind of treatment? This painting is really impressive!"
Li Shiguang hadn't had a chance to answer yet.
Rivaldo spoke first: "When we can turn a club on the verge of bankruptcy into Leeds United in just a few years, we'll get that kind of treatment."
"That's true," Simeone said, pointing to the empty away stands. "But Ferguson managed Manchester United for over twenty years, and there were quite a few Manchester United fans here today. Why didn't he get this treatment?"
Looking at his TIFO, Li Shiguang closed his eyes in enjoyment: "It's probably because he hasn't led Manchester United to a championship in a long time..."
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