Chapter 337: Tang Ye's Rainbow Flick Assist, Villarreal Chooses to Believe in the Chinese Again

Slap!

Tang Ye's rainbow flick cross sailed over the Stoke City defender's head, successfully finding Martial, who had made a run into the left side of the penalty area.

Turn your body sideways!

Volley it!

Goal!

"Gooo——aaaa——llllll!!!"

"Martial's volley, Manchester United 2:1!"

"Hmm, Tang Ye's pass was incredibly imaginative!"

Both the commentators and the fans felt Tang Ye's rainbow flick assist was brilliant.

Tang Ye himself thought so too!

"Haha!"

After crossing the Stoke City penalty area, Tang Ye followed closely behind Martial.

"Anthony!"

After sliding on his knees, he stood up and leaped directly onto Martial's back.

【You have obtained 10 Counterattack Points】

【Scoring a brace, you have obtained an additional 20 Counterattack Points】

After kissing Martial's hair, Tang Ye jumped off the French striker.

He discovered Rashford standing right beside him.

"Marcus, did you see that!"

"Of course I saw it, damn, how do you even know how to do that!"

Rashford was stunned by Tang Ye's rainbow flick assist.

He remembered that Tom hadn't used a rainbow flick during training!

"Haha!"

Tang Ye and Rashford embraced.

Regaining the lead after having the score equalized felt incredibly satisfying!

Oh, right!

Remembering that Ale was present at the match today, Tang Ye quickly located Ale in the stands and then held up two fingers.

It meant he had recorded two assists today.

As the second half continued, Stoke City, now trailing again, completely lost their momentum; for the remaining time, they were almost entirely suppressed by Manchester United.

Ten Hag glanced toward the away team's substitute bench.

To be honest, Stoke City's performance today was quite good, and their squad was strong as well.

They had tall enough center-backs, midfielders capable of distributing the ball, and fast forwards.

Stoke City's squad configuration was quite similar to Manchester United's.

But Stoke City seemed unaware of one problem.

That was their lack of a player who could save the coach.

Tactical changes in the Premier League happen very quickly; how can an excellent coach not have a player to save him?

Check Dongqiu Di Match Report: Manchester United defeats Stoke City 2:1, Martial scores with a volley, Tang Ye records a brace of assists including a rainbow flick assist.

Manchester United's victory over Stoke City marked their second league win this month.

Besides the victory, there was more good news for Manchester United.

In the same 23rd round of the Premier League, Mancheng lost 3:4 away to Liwupu.

This was Mancheng's first league defeat of the season, causing them to lose the three points from this match.

L'Équipe Front Page Headline: Mancheng Suffers Devastating Away Reversal Against Liwupu; Can the Continuously Advancing Manchester Red Devils Seize the Opportunity to Rise?

Mancheng's sudden defeat gave hope to Manchester United, who were on a winning streak.

However, the fact remained that there was still a significant gap between Manchester United and Mancheng in the standings.

"Mancheng losing to Liwupu is good news for us,"

Ten Hag declared in the locker room: "It proves we still have a chance; we have an opportunity to compete for everything, though Mancheng does too."

An opportunity to compete for everything...

Tang Ye looked at the locker room floor beneath his feet, wearing a contemplative expression.

Winning the Premier League title, the EFL Cup, or the FA Cup would all be extremely difficult feats.

But Tang Ye also knew.

Only by accomplishing difficult goals could one achieve the sense of fulfillment they desired!

He glanced at Rodri.

Then he glanced at Ale.

Last season, he, Rod, and Sebastian had won the championship trophy together.

This season would be no different!

China Football Daily Front Page Headline: Securing Two More Assists in the Match Against Stoke City, Can Tang Ye, Who Continues to Lead the Premier League Assist Chart, Become This Season's Premier League Assist King?

Attached: Premier League Assist Table (as of Round 23):

1. Tang Ye (Manchester United), 17 times.

2. De Bruyne (Mancheng), 10 times.

3. Sané (Mancheng), 9 times.

4. David Silva (Mancheng), 7 times.

4. Sterling (Mancheng), 7 times.

The Premier League assist leaderboard has basically remained unchanged; the top 5 are still these same five players.

Even the rankings haven't changed!

【Mancheng is truly ruthless, damn it; I feel like they can score 80 goals this season.】

【17 = 10 + 7, so Tang Ye = De Bruyne + Silva/Sterling. Formula solved instantly.】

【Any chance for Tang Ye to be named Player of the Month this time? He even scored a hat-trick.】

【Fun fact: Tang Ye's hat-trick was in the EFL Cup, not the league.】

……

In January, Man Utd has three matches remaining, including one league game, one EFL Cup match, and one FA Cup tie.

These three matches are equally important to Man Utd.

If one must distinguish, then: League = EFL Cup > FA Cup.

Because there is a possibility of winning a championship trophy, Man Utd has elevated the status of the EFL Cup.

However, this does not mean Man Utd will abandon the FA Cup matches for the sake of the league and the EFL Cup.

"Mancheng is too dominant; we must prepare to give up on winning the league title, so both the EFL Cup and the FA Cup are very important to us this season."

Thus spoke the Man Utd director during the executive meeting.

Although Ten Hag was far from pleased, he could do nothing about it.

Because what Murtough said was indeed the truth!

"We already lead 3-1 from the first leg; reaching the final shouldn't be a major issue, but we must still proceed with caution."

Murtough looked at Ten Hag and asked in front of dozens of Man Utd executives, "If we meet Chelsea or Arsenal in the final, what are our chances of winning the championship?"

It has been far too long since Man Utd last won a trophy, which does not befit their status as a Premier League giant.

Man Utd fans are desperate for a title, and naturally, so is the management!

Ten Hag scanned everyone present in the room.

"One hundred percent."

"As I said, as long as I receive support during the transfer window, victory will not be an issue."

"I did indeed receive support."

"Then we will naturally achieve success."

……

"Here it comes, here it comes!"

Slap!

【De Bruyne Standard Long Pass Lv4: Realistic】

Proficiency: 1194/1200

The long pass finds Allé inside the penalty area!

Allé heads it!

Goal!

This is exactly the feeling!

Tang Ye raised both his hands high.

That previous attack made him rediscover the feeling he had while at Villarreal.

Last season, he created no fewer than twenty heading opportunities for Allé by lofting balls to him.

And this season, Tang Ye's passing has become even more accurate!

His coordination with Allé will also be better!

"Beep!"

Fan Fan Dejiahe blew the whistle signaling the end of training, but Tang Ye did not stop his work.

The Standard Long Pass skill needs only six more proficiency points to level up, so there is no need to leave it for tomorrow.

"Save three balls for me; hmm, thanks, mate."

He grabbed a ball and tossed it forward!

Found his position!

Slap!

【De Bruyne Standard Long Pass Lv4: Realistic】

Proficiency: 1196/1200

That kick wasn't very good, yet he still gained two proficiency points.

Grinding proficiency for Standard Long Pass is as easy as ever!

Again!

Proficiency: 1199/1200

The final kick!

Slap!

【De Bruyne Standard Long Pass Lv4: Realistic】

Proficiency: 1203/1200

【De Bruyne Standard Long Pass lv4: Realistic → lv5: Replication】

【Passing 89→89】

"Hoo..." He stood on the grass and sighed.

Finally done!

Oh right, there's still something else!

【De Bruyne Standard Long Pass lv6: Upgrade Path via Asking Without Shame】

1. Passing attribute not less than 87 points (already satisfied).

2. Vision attribute not less than 85 points (already satisfied).

Unlike the 【Long-Range Curved Shot】, which could no longer gain proficiency, for Tang Ye, the lv6 upgrade paths for this kind of passing template were all very easy to unlock.

Because his passing attribute was high enough!

【De Bruyne Standard Long Pass lv5: Replication (Transcendent State)】

Proficiency: 0/5000

Five...

5000?

"Damn it."

He hugged his own head.

!

Tang Ye knew he still had a very long road ahead of him.

"Is Tom working this hard now?"

Pointing at Tang Ye on the training ground, Haller slowly walked over to Rodri.

"No, maybe he just suddenly has great touch with the ball today."

Rodri took a sip of water: "Geniuses are always impossible to understand."

"That's true too."

Haller expressed agreement with Rodri's words.

Trying to figure Tang Ye out was indeed a waste of effort.

"It's a pity you can't play in the Champions League."

Rodri suddenly said, and Haller shook his head: "There's nothing to be done about it; besides, I've only just joined the team, so even if I could play in the Champions League, Erik wouldn't give me a chance."

Rodri laughed out loud: "No way; these past few days of training, your chemistry with Tom has been nearly perfect."

Holding up two fingers: "I can guarantee that within two matches, you'll get a playing opportunity."

"Really or fake?"

Back in the season before last, when he was at Utrecht, Haller had already known Ten Hag.

In Haller's impression, Ten Hag wasn't the type of guy who would easily trust new signings!

"I feel like there shouldn't be any problem; anyway, you'll know when the time comes."

Rodri punched Haller's arm with his fist, while the latter sat on a chair, unsure of what he was thinking about.

"Rode, last season United's primary penalty taker was Zlatan, right? Who is it now?"

Haller turned his head to look at Rodri.

His performance during these past two days of training had been good, and he felt quite confident about himself.

When one feels good, naturally one wants to pursue something higher.

As far as he knew, after Ibrahimović left, United seemed to no longer have a specialized penalty taker.

If that were the case, then wouldn't he be...

"There, that one."

Rodri pointed at Tang Ye, who was beaming with a smile on the training ground.

Haller rubbed his nose.

"Oh, then never mind."

Manchester United beat reporter: Ten Hag wants to pursue Barcelona midfielder De Jong, but United can no longer spare more funds in the winter window.

"Ten Hag seems to have ideas about selling Lin Lin Jiade and Herrera to raise funds, but this plan has been shelved because the players themselves apparently do not wish to join Manchester United."

Manchester Evening News — Manchester United fans propose on social media to postpone the 24th-round league match against Burnley, this being because on January 20 Manchester United needs to travel for an away game, and weather forecasts show that on the day of the match Burnley's temperature will be 0 degrees Celsius to 1 degree Celsius, with snow.

MEN reporter: The place where Tom was born is very warm; Manchester United fans worry Burnley's extreme weather will freeze Tom to death.

"What's the big deal?"

Sitting on the train, Tang Ye felt surprised at the news he had just scrolled to.

"It's only 0 degrees; this kind of weather is quite normal in Manchester too. They're worrying about too many things."

Rodri leaned his head over to take a look at what Tang Ye was viewing.

"Worried Tom will freeze to death... haha!"

Tang Ye shook his head, put his phone back in his pocket: "They underestimate me too much; when it was below zero in Manchester I still trained outside, and it was the same in the Netherlands."

Although born in warm Guangdong, Tang Ye's cold resistance was far stronger than Manchester United fans imagined.

Back when he played at Utrecht, during winter in the dormitory Tang Ye never turned on the heating.

Very few people in the Netherlands could do that!

"You could wear gloves like Antony."

Rodri glanced at Martial, who was lying down resting in the distance.

"I don't like wearing gloves, and I don't like wearing shin guards, but the rules say shin guards are mandatory, so I have to wear them."

Tang Ye disliked the feeling of having too many things on his body; only when it was particularly cold would he wear gloves and a knit cap.

And today's weather clearly wasn't cold enough for that.

Thinking of something, Tang Ye knelt in his seat and greeted Allé behind him: "Go for it, Sébastien, you might get played today!"

"..."

"Ah, um!"

Allé nodded quickly, then sank back into the contemplation he had been in just moments before.

Having joined the team less than a week ago, he had been directly included in Ten Hag's matchday squad.

Having learned the news only last night, Allé still needed to calm himself down properly.

All of this had come too suddenly!

The team bus drove into the stadium, surrounded by fans.

"Trash Man Utd!"

"You're going to lose today!"

"You won't win the EFL Cup; Leicester City will beat you!"

Burnley fans were messing with the Manchester United players' minds.

"It's fine, stay calm, let's do the talking in the match."

Standing in the middle of the aisle, Ten Hag signaled the Manchester United fans not to be affected by what was happening outside.

"Erik Ten Hag, you're going to jail~"

"Ten Hag is going to jail, Man Utd has no future~"

"Erik Ten Hag, jail~ jail~~"

Uh...

Tang Ye stole a glance out the window, then started stifling his laughter.

Ten Hag sat back down in his seat, after which Tang Ye heard a "fuck" come from the front.

It seemed Mr. Erik's state of mind had been affected!

Arriving at the locker room, Ten Hag returned after completing his pre-match interview, finding Tang Ye standing right at the door chatting with Mata.

Reaching into his pocket, he pulled something out and handed it to Ten Hag in front of him: "Mr. Erik, chewing gum."

"Wow."

Ten Hag's eyes lit up: "Thanks, Tom."

"If you want some, just tell me."

Tang Ye could tell Ten Hag wasn't very happy after being provoked by the Burnley fans; at a time like this, Tom Chewing Gum should step up.

"Our opponents are extremely arrogant, but they don't have the capability to be truly proud."

Chewing his gum, Ten Hag spoke to the players about matters concerning today's match.

"When we came in just now, we were mocked by the Burnley fans; of course, they didn't affect me, but I know you were all affected."

Tang Ye leaned his mouth close to Rashford's ear: "Mr. Erik is starting to show off again."

Ten Hag's gaze swept over the Manchester United players one by one; when he saw Tang Ye, the latter suddenly became nervous.

However, he spoke very softly, so there was no way Ten Hag could hear him.

"Keep a level head; all you need to do is keep a level head just like me."

"Burnley cannot be our opponent; that is simply the truth."

Repost: Man Utd announces the starting lineup for the away match against Burnley; Tang Ye starts as the sole attacking midfielder, while Allé is expected to make his Man Utd debut.

The news that Allé might play is, to be honest, a bit unexpected, after all, he has only transferred over less than a week ago.

But at the same time, it is only logical, since Allé is a member of the Vine Armor Army.

As kick-off time approached bit by bit, Chinese fans looked forward to Man Utd securing their third Premier League victory in January.

And just then, a pinned news item suddenly suppressed all information about this match.

Check Dongqiu Di pinned post: Wu Lei transfers to join La Liga's Villarreal.

Marca — Abandoning the Brazilian genius attacker, the Yellow Submarine introduces Chinese forward Wu Lei.

"Villarreal has never been able to shake off the influence brought by Tom; they want to believe in the Chinese people once again."

(End of Chapter)