Chapter 519: Cristiano Ronaldo's Hat-trick: Manchester United Fans' Longing for Ferguson Time

"3, 2, 1!"

"Come on, Manchester United!"

The players walked out of the locker room, descended the steps, and arrived at the tunnel.

Just as he entered the tunnel, Tang Ye noticed Cristiano Ronaldo looking at him from ahead.

This was certainly no coincidence; ever since standing in the player tunnel, Cristiano Ronaldo had been constantly glancing toward the Manchester United locker room.

Tang Ye raised his right hand to acknowledge Cristiano Ronaldo; the two looked at each other for a moment before turning their heads away simultaneously.

In truth, Tang Ye remained quite puzzled.

Previously, while playing for Villarreal and facing Real Madrid, Tang Ye had already interacted with Cristiano Ronaldo.

Back then, the two had chatted very happily.

But now, for some reason, Tang Ye felt his relationship with Cristiano Ronaldo was becoming increasingly strange.

First, they were friends—that much was certain; second, they also shared a senior-junior dynamic.

Yet beyond these two layers of connection, Tang Ye also detected clear hostility in Cristiano Ronaldo's eyes.

It was just like the mutual gaze between Cristiano Ronaldo and Messi during El Clásico in Spain.

Unable to fathom Cristiano Ronaldo's mindset, Tang Ye decided to stop pondering what lay behind it all.

The priority remained the match currently underway.

Juventus was playing exceptionally well; Manchester United had to bring their best form to safeguard their victory!

"Alright, welcome back, dear viewers. This is the Champions League Round of 16..."

The second half begins!

When the camera focused on Cristiano Ronaldo, the Manchester United fans in the stands applauded the Portuguese star.

The state of mind among Manchester United supporters must now be the most complex.

On one hand, they hoped Cristiano Ronaldo would deliver a strong performance.

But on the other hand, they did not want Cristiano Ronaldo to play too well, because today he was Manchester United's opponent.

If Cristiano Ronaldo played too well, then Manchester United would be eliminated!

The 51st minute of the second half.

The camera panned to the Manchester United bench, where Martial and Greenwood were warming up together.

Considering Ten Hag's habitual penchant for playing tricks from the substitutes' bench, the warm-up of these two players might well be nothing more than a decoy.

The camera shifted back.

Just then, Manchester United launched their attack.

An indirect free-kick opportunity.

Tang Ye and Ashley Young stood together, exchanged a few quiet words, then separated.

Raise the left hand!

Run-up!

The cross is delivered, aiming directly at the far post inside the box.

Valencia surges forward from behind!

No rush; first control the ball.

Valencia dribbled the ball, weaving back and forth in Juventus's defensive third.

The Manchester United captain was searching for a possible attacking opportunity, but none had yet emerged.

McTominay reaches out!

Slap!

Valencia passes horizontally into the center.

Possession falls to McTominay's feet.

McTominay passes to Bailly!

Slap!

Bailly sends a high ball from deep; Tang Ye helps hold his position, allowing Rashford to finally control the ball.

Rashford flicks the ball to Tang Ye!

After receiving it, he controls the ball on the spot, evading interference from defenders.

Bang!

Without looking back, Tang Ye heels the ball, feeding it to Rashford cutting inside.

Rashford is in an excellent position.

Fans in the stands have already risen to their feet!

Rashford!

Slap!

The Manchester United striker delivers a curled shot toward the far corner.

He aims at a spot near the top right corner of the goal, close to an unsaveable angle.

Yet Szczęsny successfully parries the ball away.

The Juventus goalkeeper has deciphered Manchester United's attacking intent!

"Ahhh!!!"

Rashford roars angrily at the empty air.

Manchester United missed their chance to equalize.

Prepare for a corner kick attack; Ten Hag began pacing unconsciously along the sideline.

The situation on the field is currently rather precarious.

Manchester United today has no player with particularly good shooting touch.

Juventus on the opposite side is in a similar situation; apart from Cristiano Ronaldo, the shooting of the remaining two forwards is quite lackluster.

Bernardeschi has not even completed a single successful dribble so far!

The 57th minute.

Di Di Bala receives the ball and quickly advances forward.

Cristiano Ronaldo runs forward, while not forgetting to signal Bernardeschi to move up and support.

Bernardeschi reaches out his hand to Di Di Bala, asking for the ball.

At the same time, Emre Can, positioned at his side, also demands the ball from Di Di Bala.

It seems some disagreement has arisen among the Juventus players.

After a moment of thought, Di Di Bala ultimately chooses to push the ball to Emre Can.

Slap!

Emre Can sends out a long pass.

A through ball behind the defense!

"Eh!"

"Cristiano Ronaldo, check if there's an opportunity, Cristiano Ronaldo!"

"He stopped it!"

"Cristiano Ronaldo receives the through ball sent by Emre Can!"

The commentator's pace of speech is a bit fast, but of course, there is no helping it, because after Cristiano Ronaldo received this through ball from Emre Can, Juventus has already formed a one-on-one breakaway.

"Beep beep!!!"

"No, no!"

Manchester United fans shout loudly, hoping to use their voices to disrupt Cristiano Ronaldo.

But for an old player in his thirties like Cristiano Ronaldo, the disruptive noise from the fans cannot have much effect.

Bang!

Tapping the ball inward with his left foot, Cristiano Ronaldo charges toward the Manchester United goal.

De Gea rushes out!

Slowing down, Cristiano Ronaldo tightens his core.

Bang!

A volley shot from Cristiano Ronaldo slips between De Gea's arm and thigh, finally entering the Manchester United goal.

Goal!

"Hiss, oh my god!"

The commentator is shocked, and the fans are naturally the same; in the director's camera feed, several Manchester United fans are clearly seen clutching their heads with both hands.

After trailing by two goals in the first leg, Juventus has leveled the aggregate score!

The Juventus players immediately begin celebrating as Cristiano Ronaldo jogs slowly.

Although he is not celebrating, one can see his excited emotions from the Portuguese man's expression!

"Huff..."

De Gea sits in the penalty area and sighs.

This is another encounter between De Gea and Cristiano Ronaldo following the Spain versus Portugal match at the Russia World Cup.

It is still that familiar Portuguese man; poor David has been beaten again!

Check Dongqiu Di live match report: Emre Can's through ball creates a one-on-one breakaway, Cristiano Ronaldo completes a brace with a volley shot, Juventus leads 2:0!

"CR7 GOL!! (Cristiano Ronaldo scores)"

"CR7 GOL!!!"

"Juve, Juve, Juve!"

"Fino alla fina! (Fight until the end!)"

The away fans deliver continuous chants.

Manchester United's two goals are away goals, and Juventus's two goals are also away goals.

This means both sides are currently in a completely tied state.

Juventus has regained control of the match!

"Fuck you!"

"Ronaldo, stop scoring!"

Some Manchester United fans in the stands, pushed to desperation, directly start cursing at Cristiano Ronaldo.

If the match continues under the current circumstances, Manchester United truly might lose!

Hiss—

Tang Ye stands with his hands on his hips, rapidly exchanging words with Rodri beside him.

Cristiano's form is simply too good; next, Manchester United cannot give him more opportunities to receive the ball.

After leveling the aggregate score, Juventus's momentum grows better with every minute; in just ten short minutes, the away team has pulled their possession rate up to 65%.

It is now the 70th minute of the second half.

Manchester United appears extremely passive in the situation!

In the 72nd minute, both Juventus and Manchester United make their substitution adjustments; Juventus brings on Cancelo and Mandžukić.

As for Manchester United's side...

Martial comes on as a substitute for Ale!

Amrabat comes on as a substitute for McTominay!

Both substitutions are quite routine; if one tries to analyze the coaches' intentions through them, it is indeed unlikely.

74th minute.

Tang Ye and Cristiano Ronaldo tangle together in the center. Tang Ye's tackle almost succeeds, but Ronaldo still holds the upper hand in experience.

Call for a teammate's help!

With Bernardeschi's assistance, Ronaldo successfully gains possession and reaches the edge of the Manchester United penalty arc.

"Damn!"

After passing, Bernardeschi still wants to run over to support Ronaldo.

Fearing the opponent will combine for a long shot, Tang Ye directly pulls Bernardeschi back.

This is a very obvious foul!

The referee points toward the Manchester United goal, signaling a Juventus advantage.

Slow down, then perform step-overs in place.

Ronaldo suddenly uses his left foot to pass the ball to Mandžukić on the flank, then surges forward into the Manchester United penalty area.

Mandžukić takes the ball and shifts wide.

Before reaching the baseline, he suddenly cuts the ball and stops abruptly.

A low push shot from Mandžukić's instep; Ronaldo successfully gains possession of the ball inside the penalty area.

And then...

And then he was brought down by Bailly.

"Oh!"

Manchester United fans dare not speak, because they realize their home team is about to face something bad.

"Beep!"

The referee points to the twelve-yard spot.

"Penalty!"

"That is a penalty!"

"Bailly fouled Ronaldo, who had the ball, inside the penalty area; Juventus is awarded a penalty!"

After the referee blows the whistle, Old Trafford erupts into noise almost instantly.

With the aggregate score tied at 2:2, Juventus is awarded a penalty opportunity, and within the Juventus squad is the battle-hardened penalty specialist, Cristiano Ronaldo.

Whether a fan or not, anyone seeing this scene can understand the state of mind of the Manchester United players at this moment.

They seem to be in trouble!

"Huff, huff, huff..."

Adjusting his breathing inside the penalty area, Cristiano Ronaldo waits for the referee's whistle.

The whistle blows!

After a run-up, he delivers a low shot; Ronaldo calmly scores, completing his hat-trick.

In the camera shot is a dejected David de Gea, the Manchester United goalkeeper sitting on the grass contemplating life.

Check Dongqiu Di live report: After drawing a penalty, Cristiano Ronaldo takes it himself and scores, completing his hat-trick. In four rounds, Juventus leads by three goals, overturning Manchester United with an aggregate score of 3:2.

【?????】

【I told you not to jinx it】

【Truly the King of Comebacks】

【Damn, you've got me furious. Ashley Young is truly terrible. If either De Jong or Luke Shaw had been there, Manchester United wouldn't be playing so painfully today】

【Go wash up and sleep, brothers; we have work tomorrow】

With less than 15 minutes remaining, Juventus has completed a comeback against Manchester United on aggregate.

Feeling drained, Tang Ye squats down in his position.

His hands hang naturally by his sides on the grass.

If only they had known it would play out like this, Manchester United should have properly studied Juventus!

"Pull yourself together, pull yourself together, lift your head!"

Valencia and his teammates shout loudly, while Rodrigo grabs Tang Ye and pulls him up from the ground.

"Stand up, Tom!"

Rodrigo leans close to Tang Ye's ear and shouts loudly: "We haven't lost yet! We can win! Just score two more goals!"

Tang Ye is the most crucial role within the Manchester United team.

If even Tang Ye loses confidence, then Manchester United is truly finished.

Slap, slap!

Rodrigo reaches out to slap Tang Ye's neck, attempting to stimulate the brainstem to make the latter agitated.

"Come on!!!"

After the referee blows the whistle, the third ball of the second half is kicked off by Martial.

"Fergie time!"

"Fergie time!"

Manchester United fans shout "Fergie time" in unison; this has been very rare in the past few seasons.

Only when the team is trailing and time is running out do Manchester United fans do this.

Because of their contempt for the opponent, Manchester United has encountered a calamity today, a great calamity.

Now all the fans can do is pray to God.

Manchester United is so strong this season; if they stop at the Round of 16, the fans will collapse!

"Tom!"

"Viva Tom Tom!"

"Always Tom Tom (Forever Tom)!"

When the team falls behind, fans pin their hopes on their star player.

Juventus fans' hope is Cristiano Ronaldo; Liwupu fans' hope is Salah.

And Manchester United fans' hope is, of course, that man!

Master, save the children!

The children don't want to stop at the Round of 16!

Focused on the match, Tang Ye currently does not know that such massive hopes from the fans rest upon him.

Running through the center, he breathes while his brain thinks rapidly.

Spin up!

Brain, spin up quickly!

Hiss—

It is now the 82nd minute of the second half; Juventus has just used their final substitution.

Swapping a defender for Bernardeschi on the frontline, undoubtedly Allegri

wants to hold this scoreline until the end.

There are five defenders on the other side; this is extremely uncomfortable...

Suddenly, Tang Ye's eyes lit up, as if he had seen hope.

Rodri caught the change in Tang Ye's expression; before Tang Ye could speak, Rodri directly signaled Ashley Young to pass.

Taking the ball, just as Tang Ye began to advance, Rodri played a soft through ball.

Now Tang Ye has the ball!

Huff huff!

Huff!

Dribbling quickly with the outside of his foot, Tang Ye arrived before Pjanic.

Cancelo came over as well.

There were many defenders, but Tang Ye remained calm.

Not only was his brain thinking, he even found time to browse the system shop!

【You purchased Tang Ye's chewing gum】

Pushing the ball forward with his right foot, Tang Ye played it right in front of Pjanic.

The instant Pjanic adjusted his stance, Tang Ye took a sudden hop-step with his right foot and kicked off to the left.

An incredibly exaggerated shoulder-drop feint to beat the man.

Pjanic's center of gravity was shaken away, and he fell straight to the ground.

Cancelo reached out, trying to bring Tang Ye down, but the latter dodged sideways.

"Marcus!"

Shouting toward Rashford on the left, Tang Ye cut the ball with his left foot, delivering it precisely to Martial.

A chance belonging to Glove-Rat!

Stopping the ball with his right foot, he immediately followed with a toe-poke shot.

Martial successfully scored the goal.

"Goooo——aaaaaa——lllll!!!!"

"Martial!"

"A goal from Martial!"

"Manchester United pulls one back!"

Martial rushed out to celebrate; just as he let out a roar, Valencia dragged him back.

After Martial's goal, the aggregate score between Manchester United and Juventus was tied 3:3.

But one point cannot be ignored: Martial's goal was a home goal.

Currently, Manchester United has two away goals and one home goal; according to the Champions League away goals rule, Juventus, holding three away goals, will advance to the quarter-finals.

It looks like they've leveled the score, but in reality, Manchester United still hasn't turned the situation around.

They are still behind!

Check Dongqiu Di live match report: Tang Ye beats Pjanic with a shoulder-drop feint through the center, Martial receives and scores with a toe-poke; Manchester United temporarily ties Juventus 3:3 on aggregate, but still trails due to the away goals rule.

"Come on, come on!"

Having secured an assist, Tang Ye's feeling rose too; the Manchester United number 10 shook his right hand to encourage his teammates.

He glanced toward the sideline.

It is now the 83rd minute of the second half; including stoppage time, Manchester United should have about 10 minutes left.

These 10 minutes are Manchester United's last chance.

(End of chapter)