Chapter 340: Tang Ye Is in Peak Form, Manchester United Advances to the EFL Cup Final!

Check Dongqiu Di live match report: Tang Ye bursts into the penalty area, shakes off his defender, and slots the ball home; Manchester United leads 1-0 away, with an aggregate score of Manchester United 4, Leicester City 1!

【First, let me kowtow.】

【We're really making it to the final, but the final won't be easy; Arsenal is in great form.】

【What does it matter if Arsenal is in great form? What truly matters is that Tang Ye is in great form.】

【Great Tang Tang Qiuwang, grant victory to Manchester United!】

Running out right in front of Schmeichel, Tang Ye performed his favorite knee-slide celebration at the King Power Stadium.

Whoosh-whoosh-whoosh—!!!

Get up!

"Roar!!!!"

Mata and Martial rushed up from left and right to embrace Tang Ye, while Tang Ye started arguing with the Leicester City fans in the stands.

"Booo—!!"

Facing the middle fingers from the home fans in the stands, Tang Ye shouted loudly, "Fuck you!"

"Haha, careful!"

Mata and Valencia quickly pulled Tang Ye back.

If he kept cursing, he'd probably get a card!

"Calm down, Tom, calm down!"

Mata pulled Tang Ye back toward their own half.

The middle fingers from the Leicester City fans made Tang Ye somewhat angry.

Fortunately, after the restart, with his focus back on the match, Tang Ye soon forgot about the shouting match with the Blue Fox fans.

Ten Hag observed the situation on the pitch, then beckoned to the bench.

"Hallé, warm up!"

Calling for Hallé to warm up at this time meant that, barring any surprises, Ten Hag would give Manchester United's new striker nearly 40 minutes in this match.

Hallé is part of the Ten Hag Army, so is that why he enjoys more playing time at Manchester United? Is that how it is?

No, it is not.

Absolutely not.

The main reason is still Hallé's performance.

In the last match, Hallé scored a goal within just 20 minutes of play; with such an outstanding performance, Ten Hag ought to give him more opportunities!

The away team's locker room at halftime.

"In the second half, we can play a bit more steadily; steadily, understand?"

Ten Hag held up three fingers: "We are currently leading by three goals; as long as we hold steady, we will secure victory. This is a very simple matter."

"Of course, we controlled the match in the first half, and we must do the same in the second; we just need to focus more of our attention on defense!"

He looked at Tang Ye, who had just untied his shoelaces.

Caught under Ten Hag's gaze, Tang Ye suddenly grew nervous: "Uh, uh, I was just loosening up my ankles; I didn't mean I was going to sleep."

"I know; that's not what I was talking about."

"Since we have a significant advantage now, if we can maintain it in the second half, Tom and Marcus, you two will need to come off."

"Alright, alright, focus a bit more; keep this scoreline for another 45 minutes, and then we'll be playing in the final!"

Although informed he would be substituted early, Tang Ye remained extremely passionate.

Mr. Erik's speech was simply magnificent!

That was a super speech!

"Okay, brothers, welcome back!"

"Right at the start of the second half, Ten Hag directly substituted Hallé onto the field; not bad, truly worthy of the Ten Hag Army!"

"Hiss, Hallé played quite well in the last match; after all, players in the Ten Hag Army really do become stronger at Manchester United."

"Let's see what the story is for today's match!"

Following Ten Hag's instructions, the Manchester United players slightly slowed down the pace in the second half.

However, the main theme of controlling the match must not change, and this rhythm is handed over to Tom, who has excellent sense of tempo, to control!

Manchester United wins a corner; Mata gives a signal by pointing his index finger downward.

Top of the arc!

Understanding the signal, Tang Ye, positioned at the top of the arc, sharpened his focus.

Slap!

Here it comes!

From Mata's corner kick, Tang Ye observed the positioning of players on both sides while searching for the ball's landing spot.

Decide how to handle it!

Raising his right foot, with a "thump," Tang Ye used his heel to knock the ball into the penalty area.

A direct through pass without stopping the ball!

Inside the penalty area, Hallé and Maguire were battling for position!

Maguire's physique is incredibly strong, but Hallé is no slouch either.

Moreover, Hallé even holds a positional advantage!

Thump!

With a forceful jab of his toe, Manchester United's new striker successfully opened Leicester City's goal.

The moment the ball hit the net, Tang Ye turned to look toward the sideline, for he was uncertain whether his earlier backheel flick had been offside.

No offside!

"Haha!"

Tang Ye collided with Allé inside the penalty area.

2:0!

【You have obtained Counterattack Points*5】

One shot, one assist; up to this point in the match, Tang Ye had accumulated a total of 15 Counterattack Points.

Compared to Tang Ye's current balance of Counterattack Points, 15 was indeed not much, but in this match he had gained many things.

Tang Ye had completely rediscovered the feeling of partnering with Allé from last season!

"United!"

"United!"

"..."

Live match report from Check Dongqiu Di: In the 71st minute, Rashford won a penalty in the box; Tang Ye's penalty was saved, and he was subsequently substituted off by Ten Hag.

【Damn, how did Schmeichel dare to save my Tang Tang Qiuwang's penalty?】

【Guessed it so accurately, what a pity.】

【Why was he substituted already?】

"Damn it..."

Shaking his head, Tang Ye walked toward the substitutes' bench; Rashford ran over and hugged his head.

After high-fiving Lin Lin Jiade, Tang Ye shook hands with Ten Hag: "Sorry, Mr. Sitting Like."

"It's fine, it's fine."

Ten Hag pushed Tang Ye toward Fan Fan Dejiahe: "You've already done very well; they have no chance of a comeback."

Sitting in his spot, Tang Ye put on his jacket; Fan Fan Dejiahe, who had originally been in the front row, had somehow moved to sit beside Tang Ye at some point.

"Tom, no one has a 100% penalty conversion rate; you need to know that."

"You've already done very well—one goal, one assist; leave the rest to your teammates."

Tang Ye held his head in his hands: "But I should have had another goal."

"I know, but awarding a penalty for a foul in the box is not without reason; penalties are not guaranteed goals—that is a fact everyone knows. Ronaldo's penalty conversion rate this season is only 88%."

Fan Fan Dejiahe pulled Tang Ye's hand down from his head, gesturing for Tang Ye to look toward the pitch.

"You still have teammates; just leave the rest to them."

Tang Ye nodded lightly.

"Beep, beep-beep!!!" The match ended; ultimately, Manchester United defeated Leicester City 5:2 on aggregate, successfully advancing to the EFL Cup final.

Manchester United fans were singing loudly in the stands.

Last season, Manchester United also reached the EFL Cup final but failed to win the championship.

But this season was different.

The arrivals of Tang Ye, Allé, and Rodri had brought about a qualitative change in Manchester United.

Whether it was one championship, two championships, or even three.

In any case, this season's Manchester United was absolutely qualified to contend for titles!

"Um, sorry about that."

In the locker room, Tang Ye stood up to express his regret over that penalty in the second half.

Although Manchester United ultimately defeated Leicester City by a three-goal margin—a resounding victory—Tang Ye felt it was still necessary for him to step forward.

"It's fine, Tom, sit down quickly!"

Ashley Young gestured for Tang Ye to sit, but Tang Ye did not sit; thus, the Manchester United captain stood up, placed both hands on Tang Ye's shoulders, and firmly pressed the latter back onto the bench.

!

Tang Ye felt somewhat helpless: "I know we won, but... we should have won better; I shouldn't have missed that penalty."

"Why?"

"Because that penalty wasn't won by me; if it had been a penalty I won myself, the feeling after missing it wouldn't be this bad..."

"No, that's not how it works!"

Ashley Young pressed hard on Tang Ye's shoulders; Tang Ye felt some pain from the pressure, but he said nothing.

"It has nothing to do with who won the penalty; you are the player on our team with the highest penalty conversion rate, so our penalties should be taken by you. No matter who wins the penalty, as long as you are on the pitch, it should be you who takes it."

Ashley Young looked into Tang Ye's eyes: "You are a choice we made together; if you miss a penalty, that's fine—it's a result we all need to accept, not something for you to shoulder all the responsibility alone... Hmm, fuck!"

"..."

Tang Ye lowered his head; the locker room suddenly fell silent, with all the players watching both Ashley Young and Tang Ye.

Ashley Young's agitated tone made it seem as though the two were arguing, but everyone knew it wasn't an argument, so no one stepped in to stop them.

"Tom, you just said you'd feel better if it were a penalty you won yourself; I really dislike what you just said."

"You should view the team as a whole; that isn't anyone's penalty—it's our fucking penalty."

"..."

"Understand, Tom?"

"Sor—sorry, Young. Oh no, sorry, guys."

Sitting on the bench, Tang Ye's breathing suddenly became rapid.

Ashley Young straightened his body: "I might have lost control of my tone a bit, um... Tom, you are a very responsible person; I know you want to contribute a lot to the team, but I hope even more that you can see the team as a whole."

"Sorry, Tom, I didn't mean to blame you; you played very well."

Ashley Young extended the fist of his right hand.

Looking up, Tang Ye fist-bumped Ashley Young: "It's fine, thank you, Young."

While Tang Ye went to accept the MVP award, Fan Fan Dejiahe started chatting with Ashley Young: "I almost thought you two were quarreling; although I know that wasn't the case, Young, you should have spoken in a slightly better tone; Tom is only 18 years old."

"I know, I know, which is why I apologized to him."

Ashley Young indicated it wasn't quite right, seemingly regretting the words he had just spoken: "But you need to know how we older Manchester United players view Tom."

"How do we view him?" Fan Fan Dejiahe widened his eyes.

"Just as Eric said, he is Manchester United's future."

"Unrivaled talent, focus during matches, a desire for victory, and a sense of responsibility; Manchester United needs players like this."

Fan Fan Dejiahe glanced at Valencia, who was standing nearby listening to their conversation.

Valencia nodded slightly, expressing his agreement with Ashley Young.

Ashley Young continued speaking: "Michel, I know you haven't been at Manchester United for long, so you can't fully appreciate this feeling of ours; both Antonio (Valencia) and I have won Premier League titles with Manchester United, but in recent years Manchester United has gotten worse and worse, even dropping out of the title race."

"We have seen hope, so we just want to seize this hope."

"..."

Locking eyes with Ashley Young, Fan Fan Dejiahe fell silent.

Professional Footballers' Association: Tang Ye elected EFL Cup Semi-Final Player of the Match; in the semi-final against Leicester City, Manchester United scored a total of 5 goals, with Tang Ye directly involved in all 5.

The Guardian — The 2017-18 EFL Cup Final will be held on the afternoon of February 25, London time, at Wembley Stadium.

Manchester United vs. Arsenal; these are the teams competing in this season's EFL Cup Final.

"We're the boys in red and we're on our way to Wemberly! (We are the red youths, we march on the road to Wemberly!)"

"Wemberly! Wemberly! (Wemberly! Wemberly!)"

"We're the famous Man United and we're going to Wembley! (We are the great Manchester United, we march on the road to Wemberly!)"

Outside the King Power Stadium, Manchester United fans gathered together, loudly singing out their current joy.

This could be said to be the time when Manchester United fans' morale has been at its best in recent months; a Sky Sports reporter seized the opportunity to interview the fans on site.

The interviewed fan held up all five fingers of his right hand.

"Five goals! We scored 5 goals in the semi-final, and now we are going to the final!"

"Arsenal! Just wait to lose!"

"Wow!!"

Last season, Manchester United also reached the EFL Cup Final, but the Red Devils lost the final by a single goal to Southampton, missing out on their EFL Cup title.

In the EFL Cup Final and the Europa League Final, Ten Hag twice led the team into finals but failed to achieve victory both times.

Last season's experience has caused Manchester United fans to now crave a title more than ever!

"Eric, you twice led Manchester United to sprint for the final, but both times ended in failure."

"Um... does this mean you lack the ability to win titles at Manchester United?"

The reporter deliberately made things difficult; Ten Hag revealed a disdainful smile: "Of course not; two final defeats are not some particularly low-probability event; this is not enough to prove anything."

"We lost to Southampton and lost the EFL Cup title; we lost to Villarreal and lost the Europa League title; although our opponents' victories had an element of luck, consecutive failures indicate that last season's Manchester United was actually not yet ready to win a title."

Ten Hag shrugged: "But this season is different."

"I have said that last season, constrained by the squad, I was unable to bring out my full strength."

"But this season..."

"This season I will bring out my full strength, so the Manchester United you see this season is the real Manchester United."

Click-clack! Click-clack!

Click-clack! Click-clack!

Check Dongqiu Di pinned post: Bringing out his full strength? With two 'Teng-Army' players at his disposal, can Ten Hag defeat the Gunners and charge toward his first title in his Manchester United career?

Chinese fans naturally hope Manchester United can win the EFL Cup title, because although he has joined Manchester United for half a year, Tang Ye has not yet won any championship trophy.

The EFL Cup Final against Arsenal is Ten Hag's opportunity, and of course, it is Tang Ye's as well!

However...

There is still one month until the EFL Cup Final; fans need to focus their attention on the honors of the present.

Professional Footballers' Association, Premier League Player of the Month Candidate List for January.

1. Agüero, Mancheng.

2. Tang Ye, Manchester United.

3. De Bruyne, Mancheng.

4. Hazard, Chelsea.

5. Vertonghen, Tottenham.

The January Premier League matches have all concluded; Tang Ye has firmly entered the Player of the Month candidate list, and at the same time, he must launch an assault on his second Premier League Monthly Best Player trophy!

(End of Chapter)