Star Card System

Manchester United has been plagued by injuries this season, but most of them are minor injuries, and there are very few serious injuries.

Even veterans Rooney and Carrick are only injured and can make great contributions to the team in the final stage of the season.

But there is one exception.

That is Ibrahimovic.

In mid-November 2023, Ibrahimovic was injured.

A serious fracture kept him bedridden for half a year.

He even thought about retiring directly.

But with the encouragement of Mourinho, he persisted.

But even if he did not retire, he resolutely gave up his salary and bonus during the recovery period.

Just this one thing, it is impeccable.

After resuming ball training in April, he recovered very well.

He even played several reserve league games on behalf of Manchester United's reserve team and scored many goals.

He even took the initiative to ask Ying to play in the Champions League against Real Madrid.

In the end, Mourinho politely rejected it.

"Zlatan, it's just a semi-final, your teammates can handle it. If you are in good shape, I hope you can play in the Champions League final, how about it?"

"Okay!"

With Mourinho's approval, Ibrahimovic resumed training more steadily.

And now, he finally returned to the court.

On May 6th, facing West Ham, Ibrahimovic started the game!

This made the London Stadium applaud!

Even many away fans gave him applause of blessing!

This is the great respect for a tenacious, 37-year-old veteran!

God is back!

The legend remains!

In this game, Manchester United almost used all substitutes, except Xia Xing.

In fact, Mourinho was determined not to let Xia Xing enter the 18-man roster.

You know, in the Champions League semi-finals just past, Xia Xing fought very hard and consumed a lot of physical energy.

Now is a good time to rest.

But Xia Xing strongly requested to play.

"Coach, if you don't let me start, it may affect my condition in the Champions League final."

"Will it, will it?"

"Yes, it is very likely."

"Stop talking nonsense! I don't know you yet!"

"Really..."

"Did you hear that Ibrahimovic will start, so you volunteered?"

"Yes."

"That's what I said!"

Looking at Xia Xing's expectant eyes, Mourinho pretended to be angry, but in a flash, both of them laughed.

Mourinho was trying to protect Xia Xing, and Xia Xing knew it very well.

Xia Xing was trying to help Ibrahimovic find his condition, and Mourinho knew it even better.

This pair of generals and coaches who really care about the team and the players have great respect for each other at this moment.

"Xia, you are the best player I have ever seen, no one."

"Coach, you are one of the four best coaches I have ever seen."

"..."

"..."

"So hurtful, heartbroken..."

"Sir Ferguson gave me the opportunity to join Manchester United, which is the starting point of everything; Coach Pearson allowed me to play in the professional league for the first time and helped me become a confident person; Coach Ranieri trained me to become the core of the team, and we won the five championships together; and you are the best coach in terms of tactical literacy and professional level I have ever seen, no one else."

Mourinho smiled: "If possible, I hope we can always work together."

Xia Xing added: "Until I retire, you retire."

"That's it!"

"It's an appointment!"

The general and the coach were full of smiles and shook hands to make an agreement.

In the end, Xia Xing started the game.

In the London Stadium, he followed Ibrahimovic into the field.

Listening to the applause of the audience, Ibrahimovic showed a long-lost smile on his face.

Xia Xing patted his shoulder: "Zlatan, it's not easy to hear such a large scale of applause in the away game."

"It seems that I am not old yet, and it seems that I still have the strength to fight."

"That's natural, I am still waiting to play the Champions League final with you. I will help you score a few more goals in this game!"

Looking at Xia Xing with a smile on his face, Ibrahimovic was very moved.

Xia Xing, who had just played an important game, should have a good rest in this game, but he still went into battle.

Why?

Isn't it because he wants to help score goals?

Ibrahimovic knows it in his heart.

Such good brothers are really rare.

The two clapped their hands and ran onto the court!

Warm up with all your strength and try to play the next game well!

Adjust your state in advance for the final!

West Ham is in average form this season, but they have already completed the relegation task early.

So this make-up game is not very meaningful to them, just play normally, and there is no need to fight hard.

This also gave Manchester United a good chance to score.

The game just started, and Manchester United attacked with all their strength!

On the front line, Rashford and Lingard were on the left and right, and Ibrahimovic was in the middle.

Three people sprinted quickly!

Xia Xing was in the middle, and he was also very aggressive!

He avoided two defensive players' scrambles and made a long pass to the left!

Looking for Rashford!

Manchester United received the ball and sprinted, passing it up and down the bottom line!

The ball looked for Ibrahimovic!

However, the ball was tightly hugged by Adrian who was attacking.

Manchester United missed a good opportunity.

A few minutes later, Xia Xing made a direct pass this time, breaking through West Ham's midfield line, looking for Ibrahimovic.

Lingard quickly moved forward on the right and ran out of space!

However, he was just a feint, and Ibrahimovic still shot in the end!

Ibrahimovic turned and shot outside the penalty area!

Central defender Ogbonna squeezed him, causing some impact on his contact with the ball, and the ball slipped out of the goal.

Ten minutes into the game, Ibrahimovic attacked the goal twice, but both were fruitless.

Although West Ham did not have a particularly urgent need to score points in this game, they would never admit defeat.

Especially at their home ground, they were looking forward to winning with all their strength.

And they knew very well what Manchester United wanted to do in this game.

They wanted to feed the ball to Ibrahimovic and help the Swedish giant find his form.

Even Ibrahimovic's recovery was more important than the team's winning.

This is Manchester United's goal today.

So, locking Ibrahimovic, this is West Ham's goal today!

Therefore, in the two attacks at the beginning, West Ham's defense blocked Ibrahimovic and never let him receive the ball and shoot comfortably.

As a result, Manchester United's offense was greatly affected.

On the other hand, West Ham performed very well today.

Especially the midfielder, Argentine Lanzini.

This talented player from River Plate played very well in this game.

In the midfield, his continuous dribbling made Manchester United's defense very difficult.

In the case of Xia Xing's main offensive pressure, in the absence of defensive stalwarts such as Matic, it was really difficult for Manchester United's midfield to stop him.

On the front line, Arnautovic was very powerful and he served as a wall for Lanzini.

With the assistance of midfield partner Joao Mario, West Ham's offense was once very successful.

Especially in the 19th minute of the game, West Ham scored first.

This time it was a continuous pass from the midfield, and the ball was handed to Lanzini's feet.

Lanzini shook twice in a row and suddenly kicked!

This time he did not choose to pass, but made a straight pass, creating a single-handed opportunity!

Manchester United is in danger! (End of this chapter)