Chapter 432: Good Student ggbond is Here, Diligent and Hardworking in All Attributes

"I'm done for now."

With the first phase of training tasks concluded, Tang Ye plopped down onto the grass.

Manchester's overcast skies had one advantage: the pitch never got scorching hot in summer, which was truly excellent for Tang Ye, who often had to sit on the grass.

ggbond's buttocks didn't have much fat; if Carrington's turf were as blistering as Saudi Arabia's, it would be disastrous!

"Tom, can you teach me your free-kick technique?"

Greenwood was sitting opposite Tang Ye, and soon Rodri and Rashford arrived as well.

These were the four youngest lads in the Manchester United squad; shared topics plus the allure surrounding Tom had drawn them together.

"My free-kicks?"

Tang Ye rubbed his ankle: "My free-kick success rate doesn't seem that high either; I feel this stuff relies too much on luck."

"But my luck has always been pretty good."

Tang Ye chuckled.

"But your technique is excellent too; not many in the Premier League possess your kind of free-kick skill."

Greenwood seemed to regard Tang Ye as an idol; this barrage of praise made the latter somewhat embarrassed.

"It's just okay, I suppose; I feel it mainly comes down to choice."

Turning his head to point at the opposing players, Tang Ye explained to his three teammates: "Between the wall and the goalkeeper, there are many shooting lanes; you must find the one with the highest probability of success."

Looking at Greenwood again, he said: "The referee isn't a good person; he won't give you much time to think, so you must decide quickly. Finding a suitable position is more important than kicking the ball well, at least that's what I think."

"The referee isn't a good person, haha!"

Rodri had already started laughing.

"Hey Rod, what are you laughing at? Do you think the referee is a good person?"

Tang Ye spread his hands: "If that bald guy the day before yesterday hadn't pulled out the red card, Marcus wouldn't be suspended for three matches."

"Oh, my bad."

Rodri mimicked Tang Ye by rubbing his hands together: "I just think everything you say is a bit funny."

"Be serious, Rod; what we're discussing is very serious."

Tang Ye reached out to pat Rodri's arm, then suddenly remembered something: "Mason, how old are you this year? I heard Mr. Michel say you're quite young."

"Sixteen," Greenwood replied quickly.

"Wow, you're even younger than Tom."

"I thought you were seventeen; what's your birth date?"

"October 1st."

"No wonder then; you're turning seventeen soon, so my guess was right. Hey, but you were born on National Day, that's impressive."

Tang Ye nodded gently.

It would be great if he too had been born on National Day.

Because the Shandong Luneng Football School granted holidays on National Day, if that day happened to be his birthday, Tang Ye could have taken friends out to celebrate.

"National Day?"

Neither Greenwood nor Rashford reacted immediately.

"Yes, National Day; don't you guys celebrate National Day?"

"Oh, right; I feel you Europeans don't celebrate National Day. When I was in Spain before, I didn't get time off on October 1st either; probably no one is more diligent than me."

Tang Ye spoke from the heart; although his attitude had been somewhat negative before being scolded by Cristiano Ronaldo, he had completed all training tasks as usual.

Otherwise, his ball control ability wouldn't have improved so dramatically within a single season.

Rashford spun the football on the grass with his hand.

"National Day must be something unique to your side of Asia, like China and Japan; Japan probably celebrates National Day too. Japan is quite close to China, so the culture should be similar."

"Mason!"

Greenwood was called away by Fan Fan Dejiahe.

"He's really impressive."

Tang Ye spoke softly: "If I had been that good at sixteen, I wouldn't be a substitute; I feel he could already be starting in the Eredivisie."

"But he is at Manchester United, after all."

Rodri shook his head.

"That indeed can't be helped; his physique is too soft. Give it a few more months, and he should be able to adapt to the league."

Tang Ye paid particular attention to Greenwood because, among all players training with the first team, only Greenwood was younger than him.

Adults should care for children; Tang Ye certainly understood this principle.

"Here it comes!"

Bending down, Tang Ye got ready.

Boom!

A header was launched, landing precisely in De Gea's hands.

"Damn, so close!"

To be honest, it was a bit of a pity.

"Stop playing with headers!"

Fan Fan Dejiahe's voice came from the sidelines: "You'd be better off controlling the ball and passing or shooting!"

"Okay, okay, I know!"

Tang Ye raised his hand to signal Fan Fan Dejiahe.

Because his heading ability was so poor, several Manchester United coaches did not support Tang Ye using headers too frequently.

But Tang Ye always had to practice; this was because attributes with low values improved faster, and if he practiced heading, Tang Ye could clearly see his stats increase.

【Heading: 59→60】

Mm, just like now!

Tang Ye (40 years old)

【Ball Control: 87; Passing: 90】

【Shooting: 78; Heading: 60; Set Pieces: 79】

【Speed: 78; Stamina: 76; Physicality: 85】

【Defense: 74; Vision: 97】

Overall Rating: 86

After heading reached 60, all of Tang Ye's attributes were finally passing.

Now, Tang Ye felt only that all his efforts were being rewarded.

One could only say that this is what good students are like.

Good students shouldn't have any failing subjects, just as Tang Ye had no failing attributes!

……

Check Dongqiu Di Match Report: Villarreal defeated Osasuna 4:2 at home, Wu Lei scored his first goal of the new season/phase. (8923 comments)

Back when Escrivá insisted on signing Wu Lei, most fans felt that this striker, valued at only 2 million euros, wouldn't be able to make it in La Liga.

However, the fact was that Wu Lei demonstrated extremely strong adaptability, finding opportunities to start even in a strong team like Villarreal.

Even after Escrivá had left the Yellow Submarine, Wu Lei remained the team's stable substitute right winger,

and in the new season/phase of Transfermarkt, his value had already reached 7 million euros!

Although Wu Lei's performance was brilliant, the fans' attention was focused even more on Tang Ye at Manchester United.

Match Preview: September 16th, 12:30 AM, Premier League Round 5, Manchester United away against Watford.

The Super Saiyan-form ggbond is about to welcome his second Premier League match of September.

Watford isn't strong, but there is a key point in this match.

That is the absence of the starting left winger, Marcus Rashford!

……

Match day, Vicarage Road Stadium.

With 50 minutes remaining until kickoff, the Manchester United players were warming up on the pitch.

Watford's stadium was a bit small, which reminded Tang Ye of the Ceramic Stadium where he once stayed.

Whether due to psychological reasons or not, Tang Ye felt this place was far inferior to the Ceramic Stadium, and not just by a little.

It was so much worse!

"Number 10, Tang Ye."

The announcer was introducing the rosters for both teams; when it came to Tang Ye's turn, the fans in the stands suddenly shouted out.

The away fans naturally cheered and screamed, but some of the more radical home fans were not so friendly.

"Boooo!!!"

"Trash Tom!"

On the second floor of the north stand, a shirtless uncle led those around him in booing the Manchester United players.

Having suffered three consecutive losses at the start of the season, Watford fans desperately wanted to win.

Slap!

Slap slap!

Juggling the ball over to De Jong, Tang Ye whispered, "Frankie, do you believe I can hit that guy directly with one kick, as long as he doesn't dodge?"

De Jong glanced in the direction Tang Ye was pointing.

The guy Tom was talking about was obviously the leader of the Watford fan organization.

"Then I think you'd better not do that."

De Jong said.

"Hey Frankie, don't you believe I can hit him?"

"No, no, of course I believe you, I just don't recommend you do it; Erik wouldn't want you to do that either."

"Haha."

Tang Ye laughed out loud.

"I was just joking, Frankie; how could I possibly beat someone up over this?"

……

Check Dongqiu Di Pinned Post: Watford vs. Manchester United match in progress, current score 0:0, Tang Ye assisted Mata, but the goal was disallowed for offside.

The match had reached the 23rd minute of the first half.

A counterattack from the backfield saw Tang Ye and captain Valencia cooperate to tackle the attacking player.

After gaining possession, Valencia dealt with the ball decisively, pushing it straight forward to De Jong.

De Jong trapped the ball, and Tang Ye ran up from behind.

Boom!

A super long-range driven pass went straight to the front field!

"Wow!"

"Tang Ye's long pass has incredible penetration."

"It flew past Will Hughes."

"It's passed to Martial on the left flank!"

Controlling the ball and adjusting on the spot, Martial begins to cut inside.

Ashley Young is already rushing over, preparing to sprint to the byline and claim his position.

Slap!

Martial passes back to Rodri behind him!

Rodri instinctively wants to find Tang Ye, but right now he has also spotted an excellent opportunity.

Cutting from the left flank to the right!

Seizing the chance, Rodri pushes the ball with a "bang" into the left side of the penalty area.

Mata, making a diagonal run from the right flank, finds the opening.

Bang!

"This one's in!"

"Mata!"

In the 26th minute of the first half, Manchester United opens the scoring!

Many Manchester United fans breathe a sigh of relief at this moment.

During the first 20 minutes of this match, fans could clearly feel the impact of Rashford's absence, fearing Manchester United would stumble against Watford.

The good news is that even without Rashford, the other Manchester United players are equally impressive!

"Mata!"

Raising both hands, Tang Ye and Mata share a fierce high-five.

"United!"

"Man United!"

"De Jong, get up! Remember to get forward!"

This isn't the first time Ten Hag has shouted De Jong's name in this match.

The commander of the Vine Army hopes his soldier can unleash his strengths.

After all, De Jong is much greener than Herrera; if he cannot demonstrate his ball-progression abilities, it will remain very difficult for De Jong to fully secure the starting defensive midfield position.

Rodri and Tang Ye remember Ten Hag's instructions, doing their best to hand over rear-field defensive duties to De Jong.

This is an attempt by Manchester United at a new tactic, and experimenting with new tactics can lead to errors.

Bang!

Tang Ye slides in an attempt to intercept, but still allows the Watford defensive midfielder to pass the ball out.

"Damn!"

Nothing for it but to rely on the teammates behind!

Watford's pass is quite fast, and the defensive line formed by Rodri and Bailly is pierced straight through.

The striker on the right flank cuts diagonally into the center!

Then lays the ball off to a teammate surging up the left flank!

We're done for!

This is Tang Ye's immediate inner reaction.

A shot from this position is extremely difficult for the goalkeeper to handle.

Moreover, Smalling's position prevents him from disturbing the player in possession!

Bang!

"Gooo——aaaa——llllll!!!"

"Andre! (Andre Gray)"

"Andre!"

The fans shout the scorer's name in unison with the commentator.

Watford has equalized the score!

The replay is shown.

One wonders if the director holds a grudge against Tang Ye, as he directly uses the moment of Watford's build-up from the rear as the starting point of the replay.

Tang Ye's air slide tackle appears on the big screen once again.

"..."

Tang Ye naturally saw it too; one can only say he is somewhat speechless.

"Xuuuu!!!"

"Beep beep beep!!!"

The on-site commentator (a Watford legend): "If this is the state of the world's best midfielder today's match, then I feel this is unqualified."

Tang Ye is a pure offensive midfielder; the Watford legend evaluating his performance today based on defensive displays naturally leaves many Manchester United fans unconvinced.

However, the scoring side holds more ground, so Manchester United fans cannot say much.

"Beep, beep beep!!!"

The first half ends, with the score temporarily stuck at 1:1.

While the players from both sides walk off the field, the two CCTV commentators begin discussing the situation from the first half.

"Looking at it this way, Rashford's absence has indeed caused some impact on Manchester United, because one obvious point is that Martial does not possess the sprinting ability that Rashford has."

"Yes, exactly, and in this match, Ten Hag seems intent on having De Jong partner with Tang Ye."

"With the main winger suspended due to a red card, is it not somewhat inappropriate for Ten Hag to adjust tactics at this time?"

"They're defending vertically; we can't push straight through. We need our wingers and full-backs to carry the ball down the flanks and draw their central players out of position."

With all the players gathered in the locker room, Tang Ye immediately voiced the thoughts in his mind.

"We are far stronger than the opposition; the scoreline shouldn't be like this."

Standing in front of his spot, Tang Ye washed his hands with bottled mineral water.

He always believed that the Manchester United he played for was superior to Watford, and the Manchester United players in the locker room naturally shared that belief.

"Exactly; our full-backs are crucial in this match."

Just then, Ten Hag finished drawing what he intended on the tactical board.

The circles representing Ashley Young and Valencia each had an extra-long arrow pointing toward Watford's two goal lines.

"Attacking full-backs are the mainstream tactic in modern football. If we want to pick up the tempo, our full-backs must become active. Of course, I'm not just talking about going down the line; cutting inside is also something you full-backs need to do. We can play exactly like that in this match."

Ten Hag briefly shared his thinking with the players.

It was essentially what Tang Ye had just said: the defenders move to the flanks to draw the opposing defenders, leaving the center open, so the pressing pressure Tang Ye faces upon receiving the ball drops sharply.

"Come on, everyone, get excited!"

"We agreed to go head-to-head with Mancheng this season. If we want to compare ourselves to Mancheng, then against average teams we cannot afford a single mistake in any match. Do you understand what I mean?"

After a quick tidy-up, the Manchester United players were ready.

"Three, two, one—"

"Let's go!"

……

(End of Chapter)