Chapter 295: EFL Cup Round of 16: Can One Match Directly Earn the Manchester United Superstar Chest?

"Today we must play extremely aggressively; this is the key point of our tactics. We are the side with greater overall strength, so even as the away team, we cannot concede opportunities to our opponents."

Ten Hag stood in the center of the locker room talking to the players, while Tang Ye sat in his own spot, deep in thought.

Tang Ye remembered clearly that this was Manchester United's second match against Swansea this season.

The reason he remembered so clearly was that his debut match for Manchester United had been against Swansea.

In that match, he had achieved an assist hat-trick!

According to Ten Hag's deduction, Swansea would most likely line up with three defenders in this match as well.

Tang Ye was quite adept at dealing with teams using a three-defender formation, so he felt he would deliver a strong performance in today's game!

【At 39 years old, you have joined Manchester United for two months now; it is hard to imagine a 39-year-old player slowly becoming a core player for Manchester United—clearly, you are creating a great history.】

A mission must be arriving.

The System's words made Tang Ye feel slightly shy.

【Side Mission: Score 3 goals or provide 3 assists (Restricted to domestic English competitions: Premier League, EFL Cup, FA Cup).】

【Reward: Manchester United Chest·Superstar.】

Tang Ye still had a Champions League mission active, and now a league mission had arrived.

Achieve 3 goals or 3 assists in domestic English competitions.

The difficulty wasn't too exaggerated, but considering Tang Ye's position as a midfielder, scoring 3 goals would be somewhat difficult.

Right, let's check how many league goals I have right now!

Let's find the Premier League top scorers list.

7. Tang Ye (Manchester United), 5 goals.

"..."

With only 8 rounds of the Premier League completed so far, Tang Ye's league goal tally had already reached 5.

Looking at it this way... this mission should be relatively easy to complete?

Just then, Ten Hag's pre-match speech concluded; Tang Ye stood up from his bench and walked to the center of the locker room.

3, 2, 1!

"United!"

"Go, go, go! Remember, be aggressive; we need to ramp up the tempo right from the start of the match!"

"Okay brothers, welcome back!"

"That A-League match just now was my mistake, but it doesn't matter; this match is our top priority for today."

"EFL Cup Round of 16, home team Swansea! And their opponents are..."

Wang Chao began to gather his energy.

"Manchester United!"

"Or more accurately, the Manchester United where Tang Tang Qiuwang plays!"

"Let me turn on the live stream source first."

"Damn, the match has already started; let me first introduce the starting lineups for both teams."

"First, the home team Swansea: goalkeeper Nordfeldt, and the three defenders are respectively..."

Wang Chao lowered his head and began reading aloud the starting lineup displayed on the Dongqiu Di app on his phone, occasionally glancing up.

Manchester United's attack had already begun!

Slap!

A long pass from De Gea, directly finding Mata on the right wing!

Fellaini hurried over to support.

Mata was brought down from behind by a defender, but before hitting the ground, he passed the ball to Fellaini.

Since Manchester United still retained possession, the referee did not rush to blow the whistle for Swansea's foul.

Mata got up from the ground while Fellaini dribbled the ball forward himself!

Valencia started pulling wide!

Fellaini pretended to move toward the center but suddenly delivered a through pass to Valencia!

Swansea's defenders were already closing in.

Slap!

Valencia poked the ball forward with the tip of his foot, executing a very clean burst of speed to dodge the approaching Swansea defensive midfielder.

"Wow!"

While the fans' attention focused on Valencia driving down the wing, Wang Chao searched for Tang Ye at the edge of the camera frame.

"Tang Ye is already drifting toward the right flank; I feel Tang Ye has something planned right now."

"Stop watching Valencia; he's not the key point; he's about to pass to Tang Ye."

Slap!

Accelerating toward the byline, Valencia was ultimately blocked by the defenders.

With no other option, he passed back to Mata, who then passed further back to Bailly.

Slap!

Another long kick, this one intended for Tang Ye!

Actively running toward the landing spot, Tang Ye turned his head to observe the defenders' positioning.

"Rodri!"

Controlling the ball with his chest and laying it off to Rodri, he then turned and surged forward!

Boom!

From Rodri's through pass, Tang Ye, making a forward run, easily controlled the ball!

He lifted his head to scan the attacking third.

Swansea's defense was very tight; Rashford and Mkhitaryan were not in good form to receive the pass right now.

Although he had a 【Kroos Safe Pass Template】, Tang Ye did not choose to pass back.

Tom didn't have a good habit of passing backward!

"Dribble it myself!"

"Tang Ye!!!!"

The situation wasn't too urgent, but Wang Chao shouted exceptionally loudly anyway.

Of course, what he was shouting about wasn't the match, but his loyalty to Tang Ye!

Rashford had run into an open space!

Pass the ball over, then continue moving forward himself!

Tang Ye was now almost on the same horizontal line as Mkhitaryan.

His identity as a striker could no longer be hidden!

Rashford used the outside of his foot to dribble, compressing the opponent's defensive line.

There's a chance!

Making a judgment within a short time, Tang Ye actively retreated to the position at the top of the arc.

Crack!

Rashford played a cutback!

Having observed the situation in the penalty area in advance, Tang Ye knew this was a very good shooting opportunity.

Rashford's return pass was also very stable.

Combining these two factors, it was impossible for Tang Ye to stop the ball!

Extend the left foot!

Place the instep horizontally!

Push it directly!

"Goal! Goal!"

"Tang Ye!"

"A shot without stopping the ball!"

"Haters, speak up!"

Boom boom boom!

Wang Chao's voice was very loud.

When the live stream preview was posted yesterday, many people in the QQ group still said Manchester United couldn't beat Swansea by two or three goals.

This was purely not understanding football!

"Brothers, did you know that Tang Tang Qiuwang is very effective against three-at-the-back formations?"

【Damn, that feels good】

【Hell, the pirated stream is so laggy; I couldn't get in, and just as I opened it, it was already 1:0】

【Tang Tang Qiuwang is awesome!】

【A midfielder, yet Manchester United's top scorer!】

【Tang Tang Qiuwang was originally a striker, okay】

"The goal scorer is..."

"Tang Ye!!!"

The announcer shouted Tang Ye's Chinese name; Tang Ye, who had just completed a knee slide, stood up from the grass and embraced Mata, who had been waiting for him.

【You have obtained 10 Counterattack Points】

【Mission Progress: Goals (1/3) / Assists (0/3)】

Goals in the EFL Cup only rewarded 10 Counterattack Points.

But that didn't matter anymore.

Tang Ye currently had a mission on his hands.

The Manchester United Star Chest was far more important than Counterattack Points or anything else!

"Amazing, Tom!"

Rashford rubbed Tang Ye's hair from behind; the latter took a step forward, instinctively wanting to roar at the home fans in the stands.

But then he thought that the Swansea fans were quite friendly today, so Tang Ye suppressed the impulse in his heart.

Crack!

After high-fiving a Swansea fan in the lowest row of the stands, Tang Ye and his teammates slowly returned to their own half.

The match continued!

The director's camera cut to Luke Shaw sitting in the stands wearing casual clothes.

This Manchester United full-back had been back from injury for some time; it was just unknown when he could officially play.

The fans were looking forward to Luke Shaw's return, and of course, so was Tang Ye.

Luke was very fast; paired with the super-fast Marcus, they could launch very impactful attacks on the left flank!

The match continued!

After the successful lightning strike at the opening, Ten Hag directed the team to slow down the pace of the game slightly.

He knew that if they kept playing a fast-paced attacking game, Tang Ye's stamina would not hold out.

Therefore, Manchester United had to vary their rhythm!

Time reached the 30th minute of the first half.

Possession rate: 62%!

Rarely, Manchester United held the advantage in possession.

If Swansea couldn't even beat Manchester United in possession, there was no hope for anything else.

Their attack was not on the same level as Manchester United's at all!

"Direct pass, direct pass!"

After shouting twice to take the ball from Mkhitaryan's feet, Tang Ye immediately started running toward the left flank.

Swansea's defenders were tracking him.

But Tang Ye quickly found his teammate!

Pa-pa!

Executing a quick one-two with Ashley Young, Tang Ye regained control of the ball.

"Huff, huff-huff..."

Having run all the way from the right flank, Tang Ye was already feeling somewhat tired. But he had to hold on.

Just looking at the situation inside the penalty area made it clear: this was an excellent attacking opportunity!

"Get in, get in!"

Signaling for Rashford to make a forward run, Tang Ye watched as Swansea's defensive line began to contract.

Tang Ye planted the ball under his foot and lifted his left leg!

【De Bruyne 45-Degree Cross Lv5: Replication】

Proficiency: 12/3500

"Tang Tang Qiuwang is taking the shot!"

"At the far post!"

"Mata, Mata!"

"Steady, steady!"

Rushing up from the right flank, Mata brought the ball under control at his feet.

!

This was a very good position.

Shoot directly!

"Goooo——aaaa——lllll!!!"

Goal!

A goal scored by Mata!

【You have obtained 5 Counterattack Points】

【Progress: Goals (1/3) / Assists (1/3)】

"So accurate, Tang Tang Qiuwang!"

"The World's Number One Midfielder!"

"Brothers, Manchester United has already secured the EFL Cup championship on loan through me."

"..."

Check Dongqiu Di Halftime Report: Manchester United leads Swansea 2:0 away from home; Tang Ye with a goal and an assist, Mata scores.

【Damn, that's awesome】

【Ten Hag: 200 million euros is the future】

【Although Ten Hag's words are a bit hyperbolic, I truly agree with this statement】

【Rodri is fierce too; truly worthy of being Tang Tang Qiuwang's little brother】

Both teams made some adjustments during halftime.

The second half began!

Being two goals behind was terrible; less than five minutes into the second half, Swansea found an attacking opportunity directly through the center.

Tang Ye was out of position.

Rodri was in position, but he made a mistake, failing to hold back Clucas who was pushing forward.

Reaching Manchester United's half, Clucas passed wide!

Jordan Ayew!

"Damn it!"

"So fast, no, no, no, no!"

"Ah!!"

Amidst Wang Chao's roar, Ayew dribbled past Herrera with sheer power, arriving directly at the edge of the penalty area.

Passing to Routledge at the far post!

Shoot!

De Gea dropped to the ground, but Routledge's shot flew straight past the side of his head.

"Damn!"

It's 1:2 now!

Swansea seized this attacking opportunity perfectly!

The home fans chanted the name of the goalscorer, Routledge, while the director cut the camera to Tang Ye on the pitch.

Tom and Rod stood side by side.

The big-brother-little-brother duo; they were the culprits behind this conceded goal.

"Rod, it seems we made a mistake."

"Hoo..."

Rodri patted Tang Ye's hand: "Come on, come on!"

Ten Hag kept his hands in his pockets, his expression far from pleasant.

Damn Swansea scoring again with their little tricks!

They shouldn't have been able to score!

"Swansea!"

Bang bang!

"Swansea!"

Bang bang!

Routledge's goal sent the home supporters' morale soaring.

In October's matches, only Liwupu had managed to force Manchester United into a draw.

Could Swansea become the next Liwupu?

"Faster, faster!"

"Right side, right side!"

Head coach Clement was directing operations!

As for Ten Hag...

"Tom, run, run!"

"Hold on a little longer!"

Whether Swansea or Manchester United, both had their own tactics.

Clearly, this was not going to be an easy match!

After Routledge scored, Swansea picked up their tempo, even seeming intent on dragging the momentum back their way.

But the gap in player quality was plain for all to see.

Although Manchester United's coordination was somewhat lacking, every single one of them was a bona fide star valued at tens of millions of euros, their ability in open play beyond reproach.

Assistant coach Fan Fan Dejiahe monitored the data closely.

It was the same theory as before: a drop in possession would not affect Manchester United's attacking frequency.

"Manchester United corner; let Herrera take it."

"Tang Ye stands at the arc. Hiss—can't we put my Tang Tang Qiuwang inside the box? There aren't many chances from the arc, are there?"

"Tang Ye can't head the ball... Of course I damn well know Tang Ye can't head the ball; you don't need heading ability to get into the box and contest for the ball."

Herrera raised his right hand!

The corner was taken!

To the far post!

Ashley Young controlled the ball, only to be immediately pressed by defenders.

Look for Tang Ye, but Tang Ye's position was blocked.

"Behind!"

Tang Ye pointed out a clear path for Ashley Young.

Ashley Young passed back to Valencia, who then fed Mata on the right.

Mata passed again to Tang Ye!

Wow!

Perfect!

A drag-back turn!

Straight into a volley!

Bang!

Tang Ye's shot struck a defender.

After rebounding, it fell straight to Valencia!

Valencia passed back to Tang Ye!

There were simply too many people in the box, yet Tang Ye still found a route to goal.

He struck before the defenders could close him down!

Driving the ball into the bottom left corner!

"Goooo——aaaa——lllll!!!"

"Goal! Goal!"

"Tang Ye!"

A cold shot from Tang Ye just outside the arc; the goalkeeper, his view blocked by players in the box, failed to pick up Tang Ye's shooting trajectory in time.

The goalkeeper had no chance to make a save!

"Let's go, let's go!"

Tang Ye and Mata ran together toward the stands!

Slide!

Swish, swish, swish!

The Swansea fans were friendly, but Tang Ye wasn't thinking too much about anything right now.

He just let out a roar!

"Roar—!!!"

【You have obtained 10 Counterattack Points】

【A brace! You have obtained an additional 20 Counterattack Points】

"Tom!"

Rodri placed both hands on Tang Ye's shoulders, then jumped up directly.

Swansea had scored one goal in the second half, and with such good rhythm, had they equalized?

No, not like that.

Tom would show his strength and help the team build an even greater lead!

"Viva Tom! Tom!"

"Viva Tom! Tom!"

As he walked slowly across the pitch, the song "Long Live Tom" had already begun to ring out!

He checked his mission.

【Mission Progress: Goals (2/3) / Assists (1/3)】

It required three goals or three assists, and Tang Ye already had two goals and one assist to his name.

When he received this mission in the locker room before the match, he had thought it would be difficult.

But now it seemed there wasn't much difficulty at all!

Three goals would secure the Manchester United Star Chest!

He already had two!

Thinking of this, Tang Ye turned his head to look at the large screen.

It was now the 67th minute of the match!

Including stoppage time, there should still be about 25 minutes left in this game!

One more goal, and he could complete the mission!

To claim the chest right within a single match!

……

(End of Chapter)