Chapter 315: Winning Streak: Manchester United Beat Arsenal, First Champions League Substitute Appearance

Dongqiu Di pinned: Arsenal vs Manchester United, Premier League Matchday 15, current score 1-2, Arsenal trailing.

"Apart from the two center-backs, the rest of Arsenal's players performed fairly well."

"Yes, but in a clash between elite teams like Arsenal and Manchester United, even one or two mistakes can be fatal."

"One feature of Manchester United's attack this season is decisiveness—you think they're controlling possession, but suddenly they launch a counterattack. That's what Arsenal needs to deal with."

At the start of the second half, the commentator analyzed some issues both teams faced in the first half.

Very quickly, the commentator and fans noticed that Arsenal adjusted their tactics significantly in the second half.

Özil and Sanchez's positioning was pushed forward, meaning Arsenal's high press would become much more intense from now on!

At just 51 minutes, Ramsey combined with Lacazette and Sanchez to successfully cut off Smalling's passing lane.

With no choice, Smalling had to pass back.

"Give it to De Gea coming to receive!"

At the exact moment Smalling passed back, Lacazette suddenly changed direction and charged toward De Gea.

Pah!

De Gea blasted the ball straight out of bounds.

"Oh!"

Sensing a chance to equalize, Arsenal fans in the stands suddenly erupted in excitement.

Outfield passing has always been Manchester United's weakness.

Arsenal can absolutely exploit this weakness to target them!

"Got the red and whites all showing them how～"

"Come on you Arsenal, yeah you are the Hot Stuff!"

The camera cut to Ten Hag!

Manchester United's head coach is already feeling the pressure!

At 62 minutes, Arsenal still controlled possession in the front third.

Bellerín received the ball and passed to Özil.

Özil dribbled forward on his own!

Moving forward with possession, Özil displayed his dribbling rhythm to evade Rodri's pressure and successfully broke free.

Pah!

Passed into the box!

Lacazette!

Lacazette controlled the ball with his foot inside the box.

Then a quick shot!

Pah!

De Gea sat down on the spot and blocked Lacazette's shot.

Lacazette tried to follow up, but De Gea had already clutched the ball again.

"Hss…"

Taking a deep breath, though still far from the goal, Tang Ye felt the intensity of that defensive save.

Arsenal nearly equalized!

Think carefully.

Manchester United still leads by one goal—hold on and it's three points.

He needed to join the defense more often from now on!

Glanced toward Ten Hag.

"Pull the line in! Pull it in!"

"Wingers, provide support!"

Mr. Eric and Tom were thinking the same thing.

Mr. Eric also wanted more defensive pressure!

"Give it to me! Give it to me!"

Accelerating centrally, Tang Ye took possession of the ball.

Özil was marking him ahead; Tang Ye calmly held the ball still.

Pretended to pass wide, then as Özil leaned in, Tang Ye suddenly executed a nutmeg and surged past him.

Özil had just beaten his little brother Rodri.

As the big brother, Tom needed to step up now!

Avenge Rodri!

Keep moving toward the box!

"Tang Ye is playing aggressively."

"Rashford is closing in!"

Pah!

【De Bruyne's long-range curling shot Lv5: Replication】!

Tang Ye, having shaken off his marker, chose to shoot himself.

The angle was decent.

But Monreal headed it away!

"Damn…"

Shook his head, then slapped hands with Rodri, who had just run up from behind.

What a missed chance!

Manchester United's corner!

Tang Ye hid behind the arc's rear, while Özil tugged at his jersey.

Tang Ye wasn't happy, so he tugged back.

Before the two could argue, Manchester United took the corner.

"Back post! Back post!"

Tang Ye shouted loudly.

Mkhitaryan charged into the box at the back post.

Jumped!

Boom!

Goal!

"Brilliant, Henrik!"

Reacting fast, Tang Ye sprinted toward Mkhitaryan, and the two ran together toward the corner flag.

A perfect corner routine.

Manchester United extended their lead!

"Amazing, Henrik!"

Imitating Ashley Young, Tang Ye grabbed Mkhitaryan's head tightly and shouted loudly.

But for some reason, Tang Ye felt he hadn't captured Ashley Young's intensity.

"..."

Wenger slowly shook his head, his expression filled with helplessness.

In the second half, they'd done everything possible to limit Manchester United's attacks, but Arsenal's defenders were simply off their game today.

"United! United! United!"

At 75 minutes, Ten Hag brought on Ibrahimović to replace Ma Xiaer and Carrick to replace Mkhitaryan.

Time to defend!

Slowly drifting back, Tang Ye searched for the right opportunity!

Sanchez's height seemed under 1.7 meters—he probably lacked physical strength.

Now's the moment!

Boom!

Suddenly stepping forward, Tang Ye intercepted the ball cleanly in front of Sanchez, then passed it back to Smalling.

Still leading 2-0 after 80 minutes—Manchester United had this match all but secured.

At 90 minutes, the fourth official signaled the added time.

Three minutes!

Just as the added time was announced, Arsenal launched a final attack.

Ramsey lofted a high ball into the box from the center.

To Sanchez!

Pah!

Goal!

Sanchez scored! Arsenal pulled one back in the dying moments!

But they were still trailing.

……

Dongqiu Di match report: Manchester United won 3-2 away against Arsenal, maintaining their winning streak and closing the gap on Manchester City in the league standings.

【When will last month's Player of the Month be announced? Any results yet?】

【Manchester United is insane, they've kept winning!】

【Manchester City is still number one, damn it!】

This season, Manchester United has performed exceptionally well, drawing only three of their fifteen Premier League matches so far, winning all twelve others.

In past seasons, such a record would have guaranteed top spot in the league table.

But not this season!

Manchester City's record is even more incredible.

Fourteen wins, one draw, zero losses—total points now at 43!

Premier League standings (after Matchday 15):

1. Manchester City, 43 points.

2. Manchester United, 39 points.

3. Liverpool, 32 points.

4. Tottenham, 29 points.

5. Chelsea, 28 points.

The Guardian reporter commented on this.

"The gap between Manchester United and Manchester City is only four points, so the six-point clash in the Manchester derby on Matchday 16 will be crucial—if Guardiola leads Manchester City to defeat Manchester United, they will secure top spot in the league."

"Conversely, if Manchester United wins, Manchester City's position becomes extremely precarious, as the gap would shrink to just one point."

More than a week remains until the Manchester derby between Manchester United and Manchester City, but fans worldwide are already anticipating the match.

A clash between the two best-performing teams in the Premier League this season!

Dongqiu Di preview: Manchester derby at 3 a. m. on December 11—unbeaten Red Devils host unbeaten Blue Moon.

……

"43 points…"

On the return bus, Tang Ye frowned deeply.

He had assumed Manchester United's point total would comfortably secure first place.

He hadn't expected another powerhouse!

"Guardiola is outstanding."

Luo De told Tang Ye: "Manchester City has always been top of the table, so I often watch their matches—they maintain over 70% possession in almost every game."

"70%?"

Tang Ye's eyes lit up.

He knew exactly how terrifying a 70% possession rate was.

That meant Manchester City dominated every match by pressing their opponents relentlessly.

Hss—

Manchester United was never a possession-oriented team; facing a side like Manchester City, masters of extreme passing control, was a nightmare.

But didn't Manchester United have another match before facing Manchester City?

Chewing gum, Tang Ye pulled out his phone to check.

On December 5—three days from now—Manchester United would host Feyenoord at Old Trafford, the final match of their Champions League group stage.

Manchester United had already secured qualification with five straight wins.

Yet Tang Ye would still treat the match against Feyenoord with full seriousness.

Because he had a chain mission to complete!

【Chain Mission · Stage Three】

Objective: Achieve six assists in the Champions League.

Current progress: 0/6

……

【You purchased Ronaldo's Broccoli +3】

【You purchased Pogba's Hair Gel +4】

Train hard!

Still train hard!

To prepare for the upcoming Manchester derby against Manchester City, Tang Ye trained intensely these past days.

He trained with great focus.

Perhaps relentless training is Tom's greatest quality!

Hmm, let's check my growth template now.

【De Bruyne's Curved Through Pass Lv4: Realistic】

Proficiency: 744/1000

【De Bruyne's Standard Long Pass Lv4: Realistic】

Proficiency: 835/1200

Does Tang Ye's attribute increase only when the template reaches the next level?

That's a mistaken idea.

The growth template affects Tang Ye's attributes in real time.

As soon as he gains proficiency, his passing attribute rises—just not as dramatically as when the template levels up.

Tang Ye's current passing attribute is 89; there's a chasm between 89 and 90, impossible to cross in a short time.

All he can do is push as close to 90 as possible.

By getting infinitesimally close to 90, combined with the 10% accuracy bonus on first-touch passes, Tang Ye can produce 99-rated passes during matches!

"Everyone thinks he's a lazy pig—but they're all wrong."

Watching Tang Ye celebrate a goal with Ibrahimović on the pitch, Ten Hag smiled: "The moment I saw Tom, I knew he could become a star—his eyes burned with hunger for victory."

This…

Fan De looked up, took a deep breath, recalling Tang Ye's sleepy-eyed demeanor during his Utrecht days: "Are you sure, Eric?"

"Absolutely sure."

"I bought him—that's the best proof. I never sign players without ability. If I signed him, it means he has ability."

"But, but…"

Fan De hesitated: "We need to trace this back."

Manchester United's assistant coach was a meticulous man—he considered problems more thoroughly than Ten Hag.

"Trace back? Trace what?"

"Actually… Eric, the nickname 'Lazy Pig' for Tom—you coined it."

"Oh, really?"

Ten Hag rubbed his nose, slightly embarrassed.

"That's it then."

"I made everyone believe he's a lazy pig—so our opponents lower their guard."

"You know me—I never thought Tom was a lazy pig."

Back at Utrecht, Ten Hag had called Tom "Lazy Pig," even turned off his dorm heater.

Was that Eric's true intention?

No.

It was Eric's plan.

When opposing fans truly believed Tom was a lazy pig, Ten Hag would lead him to smash their faces.

This was the bond between mentor and protégé!

Super bond!

Bam!

【De Bruyne's Standard Long Pass Lv4: Realistic】

Proficiency: 884/1200

The broccoli and hair gel had a clear effect—after half a training session, Tang Ye's standard long pass proficiency surged dramatically.

His next Lv5 skill was within reach!

"Tom, impressive."

Mata walked over and slapped Tang Ye on the back.

Mata's praise referred to Tang Ye's performance in the passing drill just now.

Tang Ye always excelled in long-pass drills—it was his strongest skill.

"Haha, thanks, Mata."

Tang Ye slapped Mata's back in return.

Gathering before Ten Hag, Tang Ye reflected on today's training.

Ibrahimović's return from injury gave Manchester United a new focal point upfront, meaning Tang Ye needed to adjust his passing strategy slightly.

Maybe passing the ball a bit higher would be a good choice?

"Today's training has still been quite good…"

Ten Hag concluded, then briefly pointed out the issues exposed by Rashford and Martial during today's training.

Now came the starting lineup for tomorrow's match.

"The goalkeeper is Romero."

Upon hearing the goalkeeper's name, Tang Ye instantly lifted his head and locked eyes with Van Dijk.

As expected, when the starting midfielders were announced, Tang Ye didn't hear his own name.

This…

Ten Hag noticed Tang Ye's unusual expression, stepped forward, and stood between Tang Ye and Van Dijk: "Tomorrow is the final match of the Champions League group stage. Since we've already secured first place in the group, we won't be going all out tomorrow."

"Four days from now—the Manchester derby—is what truly matters!"

As Ten Hag said, the three points from the final match against Feyenoord were inconsequential to United.

With those three points, United would still be top of the group.

Without those three points, United would still be top of the group.

Given this, it's better to preserve Tang Ye's energy for the Manchester derby rather than exhaust him in a meaningless match.

That match is the most important!

"…"

Tang Ye stayed silent. After Ten Hag left, he sat down on a bench in the recovery area.

"Damn, Luo De, I'm not starting?"

Tang Ye felt frustrated, because from Ten Hag's tone, he might not even give him a chance to come on.

That was incredibly frustrating!

"It doesn't matter—Feyenoord isn't important. Not starting is actually a good thing."

Rodri didn't rush to the cafeteria; he sat beside Tang Ye and started chatting.

Rodri wasn't in the starting lineup against Feyenoord either, but based on his own judgment, he believed this was a good thing.

First, Tang Ye was unquestionably the team's core in Ten Hag's eyes—that was the truth of playing for United, and Rodri had grasped this truth shortly after joining the team.

Then, think based on that truth.

Tang Ye and Rodri were essentially tied together: when Tang Ye started, Rodri started; when Tang Ye came off the bench, Rodri came off the bench.

What did this mean?

It meant Rodri held a very important tactical position in Ten Hag's eyes!

It was like being placed in a class back in school.

There were ten classes total, numbered one to ten—you didn't know whether Class One or Class Ten was the elite class. So you just looked for the top student in the grade; the class he was in was the elite class.

And Tom was United's top student. Rodri and Tang Ye were both in the bench class.

So the logic was clear now.

The bench players for the Feyenoord match were, in Ten Hag's eyes, United's true starters!

Watching Rodri's cheerful expression, Tang Ye sighed.

Rodri didn't have a system, so he couldn't understand Tang Ye's struggle.

He still had a Champions League chain quest to complete—and Tang Ye needed the reward from that quest!

He glanced at the window of the head coach's office on the second floor of the administrative building, hesitating.

Hss—

If he asked Mr. Erik for a starting spot, Erik would almost certainly give it to him.

But after careful thought, Tang Ye ultimately abandoned the idea.

Ten Hag's decision was right.

Marcus, Mata, Henrik, and even Luo De—all were Tom's teammates, all good guys, and together with Tom they formed a team, with Tom being just one part of it.

Escribá had long said: the team is a whole. Tang Ye should first consider things from the team's perspective.

The Manchester derby is in four days!

Tom needs rest, needs to give his best performance, and face the mighty City alongside his friends!

As for the quest reward…

If this were a year or two ago, when he'd just gotten the system, Tang Ye might have begged Ten Hag for a starting spot to complete the quest.

But now, he wouldn't.

Tom had grown up a lot—he understood some things now!

The Sun front page headline—United's Champions League Group Stage Match 6 against Feyenoord is at home, so no need to travel to the Netherlands; Ten Hag can coach on the sideline—this will be his fourth Champions League match personally.

…

Time arrived at match day.

The final round of the 2017–18 Champions League group stage was about to begin!

Top post: United announces starting lineup against Feyenoord—Ashley Young leads, Tang Ye and Rashford on the bench.

Tang Ye, Rashford, and Ibrahimović, who had just returned from injury—all on the bench. United's starting lineup clearly signaled they were tanking.

Fans lamented in the comments that they wouldn't get to see GGBond perform, but upon rational reflection, everyone understood United's decision.

The camera panned to Tang Ye, Rodri, and Rashford sitting together on the bench.

Seeing his face appear on the big screen, Tang Ye quickly located the camera, then tapped Rodri and Rashford on the shoulders.

"Rod, Marcus, look up!"

…

PS: Tomorrow: 2 updates, 10k words. The day after: 3 updates, 15k words.

Starting the day after tomorrow, it'll be 3 updates daily.

(End of chapter)