Chapter 439: Manchester United vs Valencia, Champions League Defend Group Top Spot

Match Preview: October 3, 3 AM, Champions League Group Stage Round 2, Manchester United hosts Valencia at home; can the Red Devils defend their top spot in the group?

Manchester United embedded reporter Wheeler: Tom requested a "National Day holiday" from the club, but was refused; on October 1, Manchester United players must undergo professional ball and physical training.

Simply applying for one extra day of rest, and unexpectedly, the club refused.

That is quite unpleasant.

Sitting on the grass of the training ground, Tang Ye searched on his phone.

【Is National Day a statutory holiday?】

The network at the base was as bad as ever; Tang Ye waited a few seconds before the page refreshed.

【National Day is a statutory holiday; according to the law, as a holiday for all citizens, it grants three days off.】

Tang Ye remembered correctly: National Day is not only a statutory holiday, but it also has a full three days off.

Previously, while training in Shandong, Tang Ye would return home during this holiday, so his memory cannot be wrong.

"Hey! Tom"

A ball flew over from a distance; Tang Ye tightened his core and headed the ball back directly with his head.

"Tom, didn't you say you were resting today?"

De Jong received Tang Ye's header and felt somewhat surprised by Tang Ye's appearance on the training ground.

"I don't know; there is a club breaking the law, but I won't say who."

Tang Ye stood up from the ground: "But it doesn't matter, Franky. You know, actually one day off means nothing to me. We must prepare for Valencia; they are not an easy opponent."

Both Tang Ye and De Jong have played in La Liga, so the two of them are relatively familiar with Valencia.

This team ranks in the second tier of hard strength across the entire La Liga league; that is quite impressive.

"Warm-up! Faster, faster!"

Ten Hag was urging; Tang Ye was forced to end his chat with De Jong.

The first training session of October began!

"Full-backs pushing forward to participate in the attack; this is what I have been emphasizing, and it is the focus of today's ball training."

Standing in front of the players, Ten Hag spoke quickly.

"We need to ensure the number of players in the front field; only then can we amplify the advantages of our long passes and wing attacks."

Ten Hag briefly explained his philosophy to the players.

In his view, Manchester United's current tactics still have relatively large defects.

If they meet strong teams of the same level, and those strong teams mark Tang Ye tightly, then Manchester United's attack will be castrated.

The solution is to have the full-backs push up; if there are enough Manchester United players in the front field, then the opponent cannot keep staring at Tang Ye non-stop.

"Hmm, this tactic seems very powerful."

Tang Ye widened his eyes and suddenly felt that the one day of holiday he had given up was very worthwhile.

"Good to know."

Ten Hag heard what Tang Ye said.

"..."

"Faster, faster, faster! Cross over, cross run!"

Under Ten Hag's instruction, Tang Ye ran from the center to the right baseline, swapping positions directly with Valencia.

"Move toward the middle!"

Both Valencia and Rodri were ready; De Jong was behind Tang Ye acting as a protective point.

Snap!

【De Bruyne Back-heel Cross LV4: Realistic】

Proficiency: 531/600

The back-heel cross found Valencia directly!

Valencia passed the ball to Rodri again.

Bang!

A long-range shot was fired; the ball went in!

Clap clap clap clap!!

"Good, good, just like that, but it can be kicked even faster!"

The effect was not bad; at least, that is what the training showed.

【De Bruyne Back-heel Cross LV4: Realistic】

Proficiency: 533/600

【De Bruyne Back-heel Cross LV4: Realistic】

Proficiency: 552/600

During the morning training, Tang Ye kept practicing back-heel crosses and flat passes on the left and right baselines; now his 【Back-heel Cross】 is less than 50 proficiency points away from LV5.

Almost immediately, the last LV4 skill will rise to LV5; Tang Ye is currently quite excited.

"Tom"

A voice suddenly came from behind; Tang Ye turned around.

It was Ye He; he brought Tang Ye a bottle of water.

"Oh, thank you, Hakim."

Tang Ye and Ye He fist-bumped.

Front-page headline of "China Football News": Manchester United midfielder Fellaini may transfer to Shandong Luneng Taishan.

"Declining individual performance plus the arrivals of Tang Ye and Rodri mean Fellaini has gradually lost his chance to play for Manchester United. The player himself is open to a transfer, and Manchester United will likely let him go; if this deal succeeds, Fellaini's annual salary will reach nearly 10 million pounds," the reporter shared all the information he currently had with the fans.

【Damn, I thought GGBond was coming to Taishan; what's this Fellaini headline about?】

【LOL, so Tang Ye is returning to Shandong Luneng, huh? Shandong fans really have rich imaginations.】

【Don't look down on my boy Fellaini, okay? How many midfielders in the Chinese Super League cost 15 million euros? This is an epic upgrade for Taishan.】

【Might as well let Tang Ye come instead.】

【Laughing my ass off; if my King Tang Ball were to play in the Chinese Super League, he'd go to Evergrande, obviously.】

Fellaini might join the Chinese Super League, yet for some reason, several CSL fans in the comments section started fighting directly.

Additionally, some fans fabricated a piece of fake news.

【Here we go! Tang Ye returns to Shandong Luneng; is Taishan aiming for the new season's AFC Champions League title?】

Besides the possibility of Fellaini leaving during the winter transfer window, the Manchester United beat reporter also revealed another piece of news.

This news had circulated earlier as well.

That is, Ten Hag wants to sell Martial during the winter window and then buy Manchester United a new target man or full-back.

Similar news has appeared multiple times; it seems it shouldn't be fake.

However, considering Martial's performance at Manchester United hasn't been as outstanding as in previous seasons, fans' attitudes toward this transfer have gradually become more open.

Repost: Manchester United announces the starting lineup for the Champions League match against Valencia; Tang Ye and Rashford lead the line, Alli is absent, and McTominay remains on the bench.

"Take me home~ United road~ (Take me home, back to the road of Manchester United)"

"To the place I belong to~ (To the place where I belong)"

"To Old Trafford and see United~~ (To Old Trafford to watch Manchester United)"

"..."

Over 70,000 fans in the stands suddenly fell silent; at that moment, lights suddenly flashed across the stadium.

"China Central Television! Here is the live broadcast of the 2018-19 Champions League..."

"Players from both sides have emerged from the tunnel!"

"Now introducing the starting lineups for both teams!"

Manchester United (4-3-3)

Goalkeeper: De Gea

Valencia (4-3-3)

Goalkeeper: Neto

Defenders: Gayà, Garay, Paulista, Piccini

Midfielders: Kondogbia, Coquelin, Parejo

Forwards: Guedes, Rodrigo, Batshuayi

Head Coach: Marcelino

Today, Manchester United acted contrary to usual, deploying a 4-3-3 formation.

Fans believed Ten Hag's adjustment was related to Alli's injury absence; Martial started as the center forward, and Manchester United's attacking line was shifted further back.

7th minute of the match!

Mata was dribbling in the front field, and Tang Ye ran over preparing to support.

"Here!"

Reaching out his hand, ready to ask for the ball!

Mata passed the ball back!

Tang Ye stretched out his foot!

Whoosh!

His studs failed to grip, and he slipped; right in front of Coquelin, Tang Ye performed a split.

"Damn!"

"Oh!!"

The fans were jeering; lying on the ground, Tang Ye could only watch helplessly as Coquelin dribbled the ball away right in front of him.

He reached out to grab the opponent's jersey, but alas, Tang Ye's arms were simply too short.

"Tang Ye slipped!"

"This might be Valencia's best attacking opportunity so far in this match!"

"Let's take a look..."

Coquelin advanced nearly 20 meters with the ball alone, while Tang Ye chased frantically from behind.

He was about to catch up.

But Coquelin seemed to hear Tang Ye's panting; one second before Tang Ye could touch him, he kicked the ball out directly.

A high pass lofted toward Batshuayi near the edge of the penalty arc!

"Batshuayi is preparing to shoot!"

"Eh!"

One second before Batshuayi swung his leg to shoot, the referee suddenly blew the whistle.

"Oh, offside!"

The replay showed that half of Batshuayi's body was already ahead of Smalling.

The offside was extremely obvious!

"Phew..."

Standing in place, Tang Ye let out a huge sigh of relief.

I nearly became a war criminal, damn it!

Ten Hag wiped away some sweat and exchanged a glance with Fan Fan Dejiahe beside him.

"Wow."

It could only be said that with Tang Ye on the field, the entertainment value of Manchester United's matches had increased by more than a little.

The fans were thrilled.

But the coaches sitting on the substitutes' bench looked somewhat pitiful.

"Tell them to sprinkle less water during halftime,"

Ten Hag murmured.

Time quickly reached the 20th minute of the first half.

Currently, Valencia's possession rate was leading, but they had failed to gain any advantage from Manchester United other than possession.

Slap! Slap!

Tang Ye and Luke Shaw executed an ultra-fast one-two pass; Luke Shaw dribbled the ball easily to the left-wing baseline.

"Number 10! Number 10!"

The goalkeeper shouted; within moments, two more people appeared directly in front of Tang Ye.

To be honest, it felt a bit uncomfortable; Tang Ye was forced to abandon his position in the center.

Executing a crossover run with Mata, Tang Ye appeared on the right side of the penalty area.

Luke Shaw passed to Rashford.

Rashford made a horizontal pass!

Rashford's pass threaded through two defenders, accurately finding Tang Ye.

Having observed the surroundings in advance, Tang Ye had a sudden inspiration and directly extended his foot to trap the ball.

"Here!"

De Jong heard Tang Ye's voice, sprinted forward three steps, and immediately fired a powerful shot.

Goal!

This was De Jong's first goal for Manchester United; the Dutch defensive midfielder could no longer suppress the excitement in his heart.

Tang Ye and De Jong placed their hands on each other's shoulders and rushed together toward the corner flag on the right.

"Roar!!!"

"Vamos!!!"

The two former La Liga players shouted their slogan!

【You have obtained Counterattack Points *15】

Tang Ye and De Jong high-fived, then celebrated with their other teammates.

The Manchester United fans in the stands were extremely excited.

Because they knew that Manchester United's second Champions League victory was about to arrive!

After greeting the fans in the stands, Tang Ye took a moment to check his system.

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

Status: Completed

Logically, Tang Ye would only handle mission rewards after the match ended, but since the Champions League missions were chained,

the earlier he opened them, the earlier he could complete them!

【You have obtained Chained Mission · Phase One Reward: Counterattack Points *3000】

【Chained Mission · Phase Two: Reach a total of 8 goals and assists combined in the Champions League】

【Current Progress: 3/8】

Without even mentioning the Phase Two mission, the reward for the Phase One mission was actually 3000 Counterattack Points.

To be honest, Tang Ye could no longer remember how many Counterattack Points he received for this reward last year, as it had been far too long ago.

But he could confirm that the reward for last year's Champions League Phase One mission was absolutely not as high as 3000.

Walking alongside Rodri, Tang Ye smiled very happily.

Income had risen.

But prices had remained unchanged.

The world was developing in a positive direction!

"Stand steady! Stand steady!"

Ten Hag grabbed Tang Ye, emphasizing, "Don't fall!"

"Okay, okay, no problem."

That previous split was just a mistake; generally, GG Bond does not make the same mistake twice!

The match resumed; having scored the first goal, De Jong was now in peak form.

His outstanding competitive performance and the noble status of the Vine Armor Army had forged his current confidence.

If he continued playing in this state for a few more matches, he would basically become Manchester United's starting defensive midfielder!

"..."

"Smalling! Beautiful!"

Completing a tackle outside the penalty area, Smalling immediately found Rodri in an open space, and Rodri then passed the ball to De Jong.

Receiving the pass, he immediately drove forward; De Jong was executing the play exactly as Fan Fan Dejiahe had instructed.

Dribbling past defenders on his own, De Jong covered a distance of over thirty meters.

"Wow!!!"

The Manchester United fans in the stands shouted.

Up front, Tang Ye was already poised to receive the ball, weaving side to side until he briefly shook off his marker.

He took De Jong's pass!

Shielding the ball against the defender, he feinted once more to break free.

Turning to face forward!

The defender closed in, but Tang Ye simply back-heeled the ball to the left.

Cutting inside from the wing!

Crack!

He struck it directly!

It was a curling shot aimed at the far corner.

The angle was nothing special, but the ball speed was truly immense.

The goalkeeper dove to make the save, but failed to reach the ball.

"Goooo——aaaaaa——lllll!!!"

"Tang Ye!"

He rushed out to celebrate!

"Tang Ye!"

"Tang Ye!"

"Tang Ye!"

Arms spread wide, he slid across the grass as the fans in the stands roared his name.

Tang Ye thoroughly enjoyed this feeling!

A few fans at the very bottom of the stands reached out toward Tang Ye, and he walked straight over to them.

"Come here!"

Shouting loudly, he scooped both fans up into his embrace at once.

Of course, Tang Ye did not squeeze too hard, for he knew his own strength was formidable.

Had he used his full power, the fans would surely have been seriously injured and knocked to the ground!

Dongqiu Di Halftime Report: Tang Ye with a goal and an assist; Manchester United leads Valencia 2-0; De Jong scores his first goal for Manchester United.

【Phase Two Mission Progress: 4/8】

In the locker room, he checked his mission progress.

Since the previous three assists were included, completing the Phase Two mission was proving quite fast.

Halfway done already!

The reward for the Phase One mission was 3,000 Counterattack Points, so the reward for Phase Two should be...

Though he did not know the exact amount, Tang Ye was already looking forward to it.

PS: Tomorrow and the day after, there will be three chapters each.

(End of Chapter)