Chapter 104: Accompanying the pregnancy leave

On January 10, Manchester United went to play against No. 19's league opponent Blackburn away. Currently, Blackburn ranks seventh in the standings and is likely to enter the European arena next season.

Blackburn's head coach Martin Joel made his voice early: "We are working hard for the goal of entering the European arena next season, so we will work hard against any opponent. We just hope to be in the top six at the end of the season. Even if the opponent is the most powerful team in the world in England and even Europe, and with home fans with us, we will still be very motivated and try our best to play."

But in football games, the first thing to compare is strength. Although sometimes when weak teams defeat strong teams, the gap in strength is so big that it is as big as between Manchester United and Blackburn, no luck or state can affect the result of the game.

At Ewood Park Stadium, Blackburn home court, Shaq finalized the direction of the game just 2 minutes into the start of the game. He received a pass from Cleville in front of the penalty area on the right side of Blackburn. After he turned horizontally to the top of the right arc, he scored the ball into the blind corner of the lower left corner of the Blackburn goal with a "bump" sound... a typical "Shaq goal".

In the 18th minute, Cleville made a free kick outside the penalty area on the left side of Blackburn. Shaq kicked an enhanced version of the "Bay's arc" and the ball spun into the upper left corner of Blackburn's goal... 2:0!

In the 74th minute of the second half, Shaq formed a tacit understanding with Nani on the right, and after successfully counter-offside, he received the pass from Nani. He shot the ball with his left foot in the upper right corner of the penalty area on the right, and the score became 3:0!

More than 3,000 Manchester United fans who came with the team did not carry a roll of red cloth paintings in vain. This time they happily paved the paintings three times in the Ewood Park Stadium.

The home team scored a penalty kick from No. 6 Serbian left-back Tadic in the 79th minute, but eventually lost to the "Red Devils" with 1:3 without any suspense.

After this round of league matches, Manchester United continued to top the list with an unbeaten record of 18 wins, 1 draws, 55 points in 19 games. The "Blue Army" Chelsea ranked second with 15 wins, 3 draws, 3 losses, 48 ​​points, and "Blue Moon" Manchester City ranked third with 14 wins, 3 draws, 3 losses, 3 losses, 45 points.

In general, there has not been much change in the Premier League this season. Manchester United is as strong as last year and is far ahead in the standings. Although Chelsea and Manchester City performed better than last year, they still can only bow their heads in front of Manchester United.

The frequency of the "Red Devils" this season is more intense than last season. After playing this round of the league, they will prepare for the first leg of the League Cup semi-finals with Leeds United. This time Manchester United will first visit Elland Road Stadium and then return to Old Trafford Stadium to play at home.

Simon Grayson had already arranged the rotation system early in the morning, so as to be able to rank Manchester United's strongest lineup when returning to Leeds to play against his old club.

But on the morning of the game, when Manchester United took the bus and set off for Leeds, Simon Grayson, who was sitting in the front of the bus, was stabbed in the waist by Tony McAndrew beside him: "Simon, have you noticed... Shaq, um Shaq is not in good condition these two days."

What!?

Simon Grayson stared at his assistant in shock and widened his eyes. How could this be said...is it possible!?

Shaq will be in a bad state. Just three days ago, he scored a hat-trick at Ewood Park Stadium, scoring his 75th goal in the league this season and his 108th goal for Manchester United this season. This is also considered a bad state!?

Facing Simon Grayson's questioning eyes, McAndrew nodded very seriously, and then signaled Simon Grayson to look back with his eyes.

Simon Grayson turned his head and soon found Shaq's figure. His proud disciple was asleep at this time!?

Simon Grayson couldn't believe his eyes. Shaq was very energetic when he was on a bus and plane. He had never been asleep. This kid was so energetic that he was not as energetic as a human. Otherwise... Simon Grayson would not let his best disciples go to nightclubs or something. All of this had a prerequisite, that is, Shaq's condition would not be affected.

But now... Shaq seems very tired!

Simon Grayson frowned, looked at McAndrew again, and asked in a low voice, "Tony, what's going on?"

McAndrew shook his head: "I don't know, I also discovered it during training yesterday. Shaq seems to be very tired these two days, not physically, but mentally... he always feels like he doesn't have enough sleep."

"Have you asked Mellon?"

"Mellon said when he was having a physical examination for the players, Shaq is fine, he is still as strong as before."

"how so?"

Simon Grayson frowned. Shaq was the least likely player in his team to be tired and the only player who cannot be tired. Otherwise, the team's record would be affected to a certain extent. He had considered what to do if this situation occurs, but the question is why Shaq was so tired?

"Tony, this matter... don't talk about it first, let's take a look."

"kindness!"

McAndrew nodded and stopped talking. As Simon Grayson's assistant, he knew too much about how important Shaq is to Simon Grayson. If Shaq were not available, Simon Grayson would have been an excellent head coach, but it is unlikely that he would achieve what he has today... The "Seven Crown King" coach, the only one in the history of world football!

After arriving in Leeds, Manchester United first took a break in a temporary hotel, then went to Elland Road Stadium for some simple training. At this time, Simon Grayson believed McAndrew's words. Shaq's condition was indeed a problem. This kid also ran away when he should, passed when he should, and shot when he should, but Simon Grayson, who was very familiar with him, felt that something was missing.

Simon Grayson asked Shaq for a question, and after asking, he received a positive answer. Shaq didn't feel uncomfortable, but still had strength all over his body.

Since that's the case...Simon Grayson still let Shaq appear in the starting lineup. Manchester United now is really inseparable from Shaq, especially when facing a strong opponent like Leeds United. Shaq's personal ability will directly determine the result of the game.

But in the game, Shaq's performance did have problems!

And Simon Grayson finally found out where the problem was. Although the Shaks were on the court, they seemed to have no soul. He would also go to run, pass the ball, grab the points, but his success rate was not half that of the previous game.

As a result, in this game at Elland Road Stadium, Shaq not only failed to score, but Leeds United, who played at home, took the lead with Oliveira's second goal in the first half and Wijnaldum's goal in 52 minutes.

At the critical moment, Shaq still played his role. At 71 minutes of the game, Shaq took a free kick in the frontcourt on the right. He spun the ball into the small penalty area on the left of Leeds United. After Papadopolos, who came out of the crowd, successfully grabbed the ball. A violent header hit the ball into the goal of Leeds United.

But this goal... was just to save some face for the "Red Devils". Bielsa's team did a great job in defense. Although it seemed that they were playing 3-4-3, the team was constantly changing between 4-4-2, 5-4-1, and the continuous shift of wing players made their tactics more flexible.

In the end, the "Youth Guards" defeated the "Red Devils" 3-1 at home, breaking the unbeaten golden body that Manchester United has maintained 33 games this season.

At the post-match press conference, Simon Grayson looked serious, but she was still strong when answering reporters' questions: "Shake was just unlucky today. You all know that his wife is a beautiful and gentle Chinese girl. But I can guarantee that she is not a goddess of luck, so it is understandable that Shake occasionally has an unstable state. No one can maintain super high efficiency in a season... Well, a away goal is not too bad for us. After we return to home, we only need to win two or three goals, which is not difficult for us... Oh, is it eliminated? In fact, I personally look forward to such a result, because it means that my players and I no longer need to be nervous and do our best in all competitions. We can choose to burst out stronger combat power in certain competitions."

Simon Grayson said it was tough, but it was not the case after returning to Carrington base. He called Shaq to his office and asked straight to the point: "Shaq, have you encountered something recently? If you have trouble, no matter what the trouble is, you can tell me that I will help you solve it."

"Haha...hehe..."

Looking at Simon Grayson's face, Shaq smiled awkwardly, "Boss, my performance today has disappointed you, right? Alas, I don't want to, but I have encountered some recently... Well, it's not a problem, it's actually a good thing. My wife is pregnant and has a little reaction... You know, this mood is very important in the early stages of pregnancy, so I have to make her happy every night, and I have to sleep a little less."

"Ah!? Hahahahahahahaha..."

After hearing Shake's explanation, Simon Grayson was stunned at first, and then laughed happily. What's this? Shake...oh, the little brat who came out of Thorpe's Arch is now going to be a father!?

Sleep time...well...is there!

After thinking a little, Simon Grayson laughed: "Okay, Shaq, from today... uh, let's start the day after tomorrow. We'll have a day off tomorrow. Start the day after tomorrow. You don't have to participate in the training every morning. I allow you to accompany your wife or sleep at home. You can just come to the team to train again every afternoon. This will always ensure your condition, right?"

Shaq smiled happily and immediately asked hesitantly: "Ah, boss, is that good?"

"What's wrong with it? You know that the training programs every morning are mostly physical training and basic skills training. I don't think it's a big deal if you practice or not, but you have to give me a good rest and score a few more goals during the game. Who else can gossip at that time? Remember?"

"Okay! Don't worry!"
Chapter completed!