Chapter 506: Manchester United's Battle of Succession: Tang Ye Faces Cristiano Ronaldo (Bonus Chapter, Seeking Monthly Votes!)

"So you won't give me the ball for the Asian Cup championship, huh?"

"You've only been on for one minute; what ball possession do you expect?"

"Don't bully me, Tang Tang Qiuwang!"

"Tang scores the moment he steps onto the pitch; are you Fulham really that formidable?"

"TY!"

"XUU!!!!"

After the goal, the Fulham fans immediately began trying to rattle Tang's composure.

Mitrović's goal had given them hope of defeating Manchester United!

"We have a chance; we have the possibility of beating our opponent!"

The Fulham head coach was whipping up his players' morale, yet several home-team players were distracted, frequently glancing toward Tang's position even as they listened to their coach speak.

It was the first time anyone had faced this Manchester United number 10, and quite a few Fulham players remained rather curious about the fellow.

Beep!

The match resumed.

It was now the 66th minute of the second half!

De Jong carried the ball forward, with Tang and Rodri making supporting runs ahead.

Thump!

A through-pass was played out; Tang feinted to receive it but instead stepped over the ball and drifted rightward.

De Jong's through-ball naturally rolled to Rodri.

Rodri naturally wanted to get the ball to Tang, but with a defender in between, he needed to employ some small tricks.

Swish!

He lifted the ball off the ground with a chip!

A high ball was delivered to Tang, who turned sideways, controlled it with his left foot, and simultaneously pushed it forward.

Perfect!

"Manchester United's attack here..."

"Tang! He immediately delivers a 45-degree cross!"

The ball arrived in the penalty area, targeting Haller inside the box.

But the Fulham players had anticipated Tang's intention, so Haller was already being tightly marked.

Unable to shoot directly, Haller ultimately chose to pass back.

Thump!

A header directed toward the rear.

Rashford arrived at a gallop, meeting the ball and striking immediately.

Duang!

The ball struck the right post, rebounded, and then rolled into the net.

Goal!

Thanks to this successful attack, Manchester United changed the score to 3–1.

"Hmm, the goal difference has once again reached two."

"Indeed, Fulham consciously tried to deal with Haller, but Manchester United is too adept at handling such situations; Rashford and Ye He are both top-class wingers..."

The score stood at 3–1 as the clock hit the 70th minute.

At this moment, the broadcasters also presented the statistics.

This season, in every single match where Manchester United led by two goals at the 70th minute, they had not lost a single one.

Remember, that means not a single match, including both league and Champions League games.

They had essentially locked in victory using pure mathematical probability.

However, adhering to the philosophy that more goal difference is always better, Manchester United continued to play extremely aggressively for the remainder of the match.

The moment Tang received the ball, Martial, who had come on as a substitute, had already begun his forward run.

Slap!

A precise aerial long pass found Martial making his run.

Had it been Rashford, a single touch and acceleration might have created a one-on-one, but Martial did not possess such explosive speed.

After controlling the ball, he slowed down, and the French striker began cutting inside.

"Here, here!"

Tang actively moved toward him, and Martial decisively passed back.

Thump!

He tapped the ball back to Martial, then Tang suddenly charged into the penalty area.

Then, from Martial's position, he stepped on the ball, turned, and sent another pass to Tang.

Guiding the ball under his body with his left foot, Tang executed a La Croqueta to successfully shake off the opposing defender.

And then...

Slap!

A volley shot straight into the net!

Goal!

"Haha!"

Running out to celebrate, Tang crossed over the advertising boards to stand before the Fulham fans, while his teammates came up from behind to embrace him.

【You have gained 15 Counterattack Points】

"Wow!!!"

"Tang Ye!"

"Tang Ye!"

It wasn't an especially awesome goal, but whether live at the stadium or in front of the TV, Manchester United fans were already sent into ecstasy.

When a master shows his skill, it's only normal for fans to reach climax quickly.

Of course, there was an even more important point.

Manchester United fans saw the current state of their team growing stronger.

February's Manchester United must align itself with the invincible Manchester United of December!

"United!"

"Man United!"

"Ole ole ole ole ole..."

Check Dongqiu Di Match Report: Manchester United defeats Fulham 4-1 away; Tang Ye scores his first club goal of 2019. (Comments: 23,282)

"Asian Cup Champion!"

"Asian Cup Champion!"

In the stands, Manchester United fans sent up cheers for Tang Ye.

Winter was a bit freezing to the hands, but since he had just finished playing, Tang Ye's two hands were now warmed up.

"Thank you, thank you."

While writing autographs for fans, Tang Ye soon noticed someone handing him his China National Team number 10 jersey.

Looking up with some surprise: "Hmm... buddy, you look like a European; Chinese people have black hair."

"England! But I'm a fan of the China National Team!"

The English uncle and Tang Ye shared a hug: "Tom, no matter where you are, I support you; I am your dog."

"Hey, stop, stop, stop!"

Everything before was fine, but that last sentence was unnecessary.

Tang Ye wrote his name on the back of the jersey, then pulled open the label to check: "This is the UK Nike; you need to buy the Singapore-made version. We all wear the Singapore-made ones. Or the Vietnam version; Chinese fans all get the Vietnam version."

The jersey bought by the English uncle was indeed authentic, but there was still a huge difference compared to the version worn by China National Team players.

"Champion medal, the medal! Where is your Golden Boot!"

A fan shouted loudly, expressing a desire to see Tang Ye's Asian Cup champion medal.

"There will be one, but not now, not now, okay?"

"We have to wait for a home game, wait for the next home match; if you come, you'll see it."

Most teammates had already left; Tang Ye bid farewell to the fans, then returned to the locker room.

"So easy."

Tang Ye shook his body.

Having played so many 90-plus, even 120-plus minute matches for the national team, suddenly coming on as a substitute to play only 30 minutes left Tang Ye somewhat unaccustomed: "Scoring a goal so casually."

"Wow, you're talking about the opposite side, right?"

Rodri tossed the towel to Tang Ye: "After you came on, we conceded a goal."

"Hahahaha!!!"

Rodri's joke received a response from his locker room teammates.

"Hey, Rod! Don't be like that!"

Tang Ye stood up to explain: "I had just come on; the position I was playing was very advanced; I couldn't even touch the ball."

"Then just say whether they scored or not."

Rodri spread his hands.

"I, I... damn it."

Tang Ye was speechless.

"Hahaha!" Rashford pointed at Rodri: "Tom, don't listen to him; that goal was purely Rodri's fault. He didn't mark the opposing striker."

"Marcus, go get the MVP award."

Ten Hag and Fan Fan Dejiahe arrived late: "Lads! A great victory!"

"But this..."

"But this is not the end."

Tang Ye spoke before Ten Hag could.

When Ten Hag looked over, Tang Ye grinned: "I know what you were going to say, Mr. Erik."

"... Alright, that's exactly the meaning. Today's match we won beautifully, but what I want to say is, this is the state we should have maintained all along."

"The next Champions League match, plus the league, the FA Cup, every remaining match this month—we must win them all. Can we do it?"

"Of course!"

"Long live! Long live Manchester United!"

Click click!

"Long time no see, Tom."

The reporter smiled at Tang Ye.

This was Tang Ye's first interview with reporters since returning to the club.

"You delivered a solid performance in your first match back, although Manchester United conceded a goal after you came on..."

"Oh, don't say that, don't say that, thanks."

Tang Ye cut off the reporter.

These guys loved linking substitutions to goals conceded far too much.

"Haha, alright."

The reporter did not press the issue, instead switching to a new topic: "In this match, we saw Manchester United play with a different feel compared to January. Your return has indeed boosted the team's vitality and creativity in attack. Do you think Manchester United can catch up to Mancheng and Liwupu ahead? If so, how long do you think it will take?"

"Of course, of course we can catch up. That is what we do; it is the job of a professional team. As for the time, that is not an easy question to answer."

Tang Ye carefully considered the team's upcoming schedule: "One month, uh, or two months, I don't know, but it shouldn't be too long. I think my teammates, myself, and our coach are all ready."

AFC Official: Due to improper conduct toward the referee in the final, Tang Ye has been fined $85,000 and banned for one Asian Cup qualifier match.

During the Asian Cup final, Tang Ye slipped five dollars into the referee's pocket, so naturally, he had drawn this punishment upon himself.

The fine was higher than fans had expected.

But thinking about it carefully, for Gao Shuiping, this golden piggy, there was essentially no difference between fifty thousand dollars and eighty thousand dollars.

Then there was the ban from the Asian Cup qualifiers.

It seemed serious on the surface, but one must know that the qualifiers are held in stages; regardless of a ban, Tang Ye would not have played in the first stage anyway.

So in reality, the punishment amounted to nothing.

But Tang Ye had his temper.

"I'm not paying it."

Tang Ye tossed his phone onto the sofa with effortless cool.

"Haha, you're not paying? What if they increase the fine later?"

"Let them increase it; I want to see how much money they can fine me."

Tang Ye still wore an expression of complete indifference.

"What about the suspension?"

"That matters even less."

Tang Ye unlocked his phone and showed his junior brother Luo De the Chinese national team's upcoming schedule: "I have no national team matches for the entire next year; how can they ban me? The AFC isn't going to stop me from playing in the Premier League, right?"

"I feel the AFC and UEFA are the same; neither has any good people."

The deeper Tang Ye went into high-level competition, the more corrupt referees he felt he encountered.

FIFA, UEFA, and the AFC were all bad apples!

UEFA Official: Champions League Round of 16, First Leg, Manchester United away against Juventus.

Manchester United versus Juventus was undeniably a marquee clash, for which UEFA had even produced a promotional poster.

The child who once belonged to the Theatre of Dreams versus the current king of the Theatre of Dreams!

Having followed the team to Italy, Tang Ye took a deep breath of the air the moment he stepped off the plane: "Mmm, Luo De, the temperature here is quite nice, much better than in England."

"You just inhaled; shouldn't you be talking about the air quality here, not the temperature?"

Fan Fan Dejiahe signaled Tang Ye not to block the stairs.

"Wow, sorry, Mr."

Running down quickly, Tang Ye explained: "My action and my words weren't about the same thing, but the air here is indeed very good, similar to where I come from; both have a sense of freedom."

"I feel you still don't understand what 'air quality' means."

Fan Fan Dejiahe walked past Tang Ye.

Of course, regardless of anything else, if Tang Ye liked the weather here, that was a good thing for the team.

"Data shows that Tom's offensive efficiency is better when temperatures are high."

Fan Fan Dejiahe found Ten Hag.

"Michel, I know that, of course."

The Independent — Predicted Starting XI for Manchester United's Away Match Against Juventus: Martial starts as center forward, with Ty, Luo, and De Jong partnering in midfield.

"Although Ty has only been back at the club for two weeks, judging by his performance in the last league round, Ten Hag is highly likely to start him, so this predicted lineup should be the most reasonable."

【I just want to fast-forward 24 hours right now】

A head-to-head showdown between Gao Shuiping and Cristiano Ronaldo, scheduled to be the highest-rated match on the top five channels after the Asian Cup.

【Feels like Manchester United has a heavy workload this season; both the Champions League and Premier League are tough, and the FA Cup schedule ahead is full of giants too】

【No wonder Tang Ye was in such a hurry to return; a master must be present when playing against strong teams】

The match between Manchester United and Juventus was not until early tomorrow morning, but Chinese fans could already hardly wait.

In the 2018 Ballon d'Or voting, Tang Ye edged out C. Ronaldo by a slim margin to take second place, earning him the title of "the rising star most likely to end the Messi-Ronaldo era."

Now facing C. Ronaldo directly in the Champions League knockout stage, fans naturally wanted to test whether this title bestowed upon Tang Ye was accurate or not.

It was the afternoon of the match day, and it was already quite lively outside the stadium.

"3, 2, 1!"

In the reporter's lens, several Juventus fans rushed out together, then jumped and turned.

"Siuuuuu!!!!"

"Ronaldo! Viva Ronaldo!"

More than forty days into 2019, C. Ronaldo had not produced statistics in the Serie A league befitting his status, at least not when compared to 2018.

But this does not deny the Portuguese team's strength.

Juventus fans held expectations for Cristiano Ronaldo, hoping he could defeat his former club, Manchester United, face-to-face.

Even though Manchester United now enjoyed the protection of the GG King!

……

"Good evening, Cristiano."

In the player tunnel, Tang Ye encountered Cristiano Ronaldo, who was also preparing to head out; the two walked and chatted.

"Congratulations on winning the Asian Cup."

Cristiano Ronaldo placed his hand on Tang Ye's shoulder.

For some reason, Cristiano Ronaldo was not as affectionate when speaking to Tang Ye this time as he had been before.

Was it because of last year's Ballon d'Or rankings?

Probably not; Tang Ye felt a single ranking shouldn't cause Cristiano Ronaldo's attitude to shift, yet he truly could think of no other reason.

Could Cristiano have also dreamed about him, and in that dream, Tom had done something unpleasant?

"Has your recent form been very good?"

Cristiano Ronaldo suddenly asked with a smile.

"Mm... I suppose so; I think it's acceptable."

"Then I think today will be a very interesting match; we probably won't win too easily. Of course, the same applies if you want to win."

Cristiano Ronaldo and Tang Ye bumped fists: "Good luck."

"Good luck, Cristiano."

……

(End of Chapter)