Chapter Twenty-Four: Crushing

Of course, Li Qingshan will not think about his position now - who in this world can let him play as a substitute in the center position?

He is now more involved in the team's midfield linkage.

In this game, Manchester United appeared to be very patient in the midfield, Li Qingshan's retreat, as well as the passing of Pogba and others in the midfield, made Manchester United do a very good job in controlling the field.

While United's style of play is a bit more bland than last season's wide-open crosses, it's a much more reassuring aspect – at least losing possession a lot less.

Southampton's pre-match set-up didn't work, at least so far, United have been making a fuss in the middle, and even with the soles of his feet, Li Qingshan doesn't look weaker than he did last season – and he can even say that his ability to handle the ball is much more mature than last season.

"Even if you exclude Li Qingshan's terrifying header now, purely from the perspective of a center forward's skills, he is also the best in the world!!" Andy Gray sighed in the commentary seat.

Li Qingshan's rapid progress is the first time Andy Gray has been engaged in football commentary for more than 20 years to see a player who has improved at such a speed.

Andy Gray, of course, didn't know that Li Qingshan had put in a lot more time and sweat than anyone else in the world of football training camp. There is no such thing as success without a reason in this world.

Li Qingshan retreated to the midfield and skillfully took the ball and passed. The ball was at the feet of Manchester United, and Southampton were forced to retreat back to their own half after Raymond's breakthrough created some threat, and in midfield, Southampton struggled greatly.

A headache for Southampton is undoubtedly that after Li Qingshan retreated, United firmly dominated the midfield in terms of numbers, and even if Li Qingshan was strolling the ball around, you couldn't go without guarding against him - even if it was now far from your own penalty area.

In the eighth minute, Southampton's midfielder relaxed his vigilance against Li Qingshan's presence in the midfield, when Herrera passed the ball to Li Qingshan, Steven Davis, who was originally responsible for defending Li Qingshan, habitually thought that Li Qingshan would pass the ball out again, so he was smart enough to go around the front and grab the ball by surprise. Fraser Foster made another thrilling save!!

Gradually, in order to prevent Manchester United's threat in the middle, Southampton gradually reduced the strength of the defense to the middle, and in the case of dense personnel, it gradually became difficult for Manchester United to penetrate through the dense defense through short passes.

'Manchester United seem determined to tear the gap in the middle now, but they should try more to cross from the flanks – just like they did last season. Commentator Andy Gray said.

Could it be that Manchester United's players are really just tendons and can't play in the middle?

The answer, of course, is no.

In the constant connection between the middle, Southampton had to close down the middle even if they knew there would be gaps on the flanks – otherwise, United's attack in the middle would really be done, at least since the opening kick-off, United have created a couple of threats in the middle.

Southampton's two full-backs and both wings of midfield had to shrink down the middle in order to block the middle.

Storm all the way and create gaps in other areas. Pierre also saw United's intentions, but even then, he couldn't do anything better.

After all, even if it is a dense defense all the way, Southampton is quite difficult to deal with, which is a huge gap in strength!

Carlo Ancelotti sat in the dugout with his legs crossed, and now that the game was completely in control of Manchester United, all that remained was to watch the stars on the pitch perform.

Control is a symbol of a strong team, and when playing a weak team, it can crush the opponent with minimal cost. Last season's biggest flaw in Manchester United was control, which made Manchester United have to consume a lot of every game, and this season, the biggest change Ancelotti made was in the midfield, the introduction of Pogba, let Li Qingshan retreat more to the midfield to participate in the response, which made Manchester United improve the control of a notch - at least when playing opponents like Southampton, the consumption is not too large.

Southampton scrambled in midfield for a while and gradually gave up on following the ball, but when they were ready to step back, United seized the moment and suddenly picked up the tempo!

Pogba sent the ball straight through to Li Qingshan, who hooked the ball to the left with his right foot - at this time Southampton's wing was a large gap!

Sandro rushed up and received the ball on the wing.

At this time, in the penalty area, Li Qingshan, Pogba and others rushed in.

Sandro didn't hesitate, he crossed with his feet!

Li Qingshan and Paul Pogba were cut in from outside the box, and the Southampton players simply did not have time to establish a full direction, and there was chaos in the box at this point.

That's the opportunity United want to create.

Virgil van Dijk found Li Qingshan, and among Southampton defenders, Van Dijk's header was the best.

However, he was easily defeated in a header confrontation with Li Qingshan.

Li Qingshan jumped high, a head taller than Van Dijk!!

Although Van Dijk made his best efforts, at the moment when the two sides jumped in the air, when Van Dijk was just about to stretch out his hand and use a foul to stop Li Qingshan, Li Qingshan had already completed the goal with a header!!

Bang!!!

The voice rang out at Old Trafford!!

Here it comes!!!

Fans got up from their seats, and they have witnessed this scene countless times in the last season!!

Fraser Foster didn't react at all to such a close-range header as the ball crashed into the net!!

Rumble!!!!

Old Trafford is boiling!!

1 to 0!!

Southampton's resistance lasted only into the eighteenth minute of the game!!

"The ball went in!! It's Li Qingshan again!! Goals simply can't stop!! Southampton are completely at the mercy of Manchester United!! Li Qingshan!! Iconic Header !!!! ”

Carlo Ancelotti sat in the dugout and high-fived his assistants, and he was very proud now. Pogba quickly settled into the team, which is a very good job for a manager.

And just now Manchester United first attacked the middle, forcing Southampton to contract, and then suddenly transferred and then crossed, the sudden change of rhythm caught Southampton off guard, and the goal was logical.

It's all about the player's ability and tactics.