Chapter 541: I Feel You Are Much Better Than Those Athletes on TV

The Sun reporter: Based on comprehensive expert analysis and the team's schedule, TY should officially rejoin the squad around the 12th round of the league.

The reporter stated that Tang Ye might return earlier than expected, as his recent activity on social media suggests his comeback is imminent.

This is Tang Ye's first injury since his Eredivisie days, and moreover, it occurred outside of match play.

Although the accident happened during the off-season, the long rehabilitation process for the fracture caused Tang Ye to miss several matches.

Bad news: Liverpool has maintained their excellent form from last season this term, while Manchester United has been drawn against Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League.

Good news: Tang Ye's injury occurred during the summer transfer window, meaning that if he returns in time, he will still make it for the second half of the league campaign and the Champions League knockout stages.

【Kevin De Bruyne 45-Degree Cross Lv5: Replication (Transcendent State)】

Proficiency: 3125/3500

【Kevin De Bruyne Standard Long Pass Lv5: Replication (Transcendent State)】

Proficiency: 4257/5000.

【...】

"Phew..."

He lifted his head to look at the sky.

The sun was still fierce today; staying under it too long even caused a slight stinging sensation.

Tang Ye shook his head gently, gulped down a mouthful of water, and then concluded this afternoon's training session.

With no teammates around and no matches to play, Tang Ye had been extremely bored over the past few months.

To distract himself, he had no choice but to focus all his attention on physical conditioning and ball-work training.

This abundance of training time resulted in Tang Ye's attribute growth during his rehabilitation period being even faster than during the competitive season.

Take his growth template, for instance.

Tang Ye's 【45-Degree Cross】 was only a hair's breadth away from Lv6!

"Here."

Zhou Ye waved her hand, then ran toward Tang Ye holding a towel: "Come, let me wipe you, let me wipe you."

Tang Ye spread his arms wide as if going through security screening, while Zhou Ye quickly wiped the sweat off his body with the towel: "Really, you should apply some sunscreen next time; the sun here is too intense."

"I don't like applying that stuff; it feels uncomfortable on the skin. Getting tanned is fine; I don't care."

Regarding the matter of applying sunscreen, Tang Ye had Ji De Kan Fa.

The two entered indoors; since Tang Ye had just finished training, Zhou Ye had turned off the air conditioning in the room beforehand.

Wiping the sweat from his face with a towel to ensure clear vision, Tang Ye sat down on a chair: "Don't you still have filming to do? That war drama thing—when are you heading back?"

"It's not a war drama; it's about students in a school, just set against the backdrop of the War of Resistance."

Zhou Ye explained: "I've already told you four times, but you forget every single time. Last time you even said I was going to grab a gun and shoot Japanese soldiers; I'm playing a college student!"

"Oh, oh, my bad, my bad."

Tang Ye shook his head: "Forgetting is quite normal; just say it again."

"Yet you never forget to call your teammates."

"..."

Tang Ye fell silent.

Realizing that what she had just said was somewhat inappropriate, Zhou Ye quickly changed the subject: "It's fine, it's fine. Next time I'll put the sunscreen right in the middle of the glass door so you'll see it when you go out; remember you must apply it, especially on your neck, since that area burns easily."

"We'll see; if I remember, I'll do it."

Tang Ye stood up, preparing to go to the yoga studio for a massage, when Zhou Ye asked him a question: "Everyone online is asking when you're going back; do you have a rough timeline ready?"

"Hmm..."

Tang Ye sat back down: "I've been on the phone with them constantly; I'll probably leave next week."

Regarding when to return and how long to train before participating in matches, Tang Ye had already made plans long ago.

However, since matters were not yet fully settled, he had chosen not to synchronize this information with the fans.

"Wow."

Zhou Ye placed her hand on Tang Ye's thigh and gently squeezed it a few times: "Once your fans find out, they'll probably be overjoyed. I see Manchester United is currently in 2nd place, but it seems they're about to drop to 3rd."

"It's only just begun with few rounds played; the gap between the top teams won't be large."

Tang Ye explained the standings to Zhou Ye from a professional perspective.

In the early stages, one only needs to avoid falling behind, because according to experience, maintaining a winning streak during the mid-season is the key to clinching the league title!

"Hmm..."

Zhou Ye nodded: "I'm watching football now too. Basically, I watch one or two matches every week, and I feel you are much better than those athletes on TV."

"Haha."

Zhou Ye's words made Tang Ye laugh: "Watching in person delivers a stronger impact; if you watch me on TV, the feeling is actually about the same."

"No, no, your movements are much more fluid, right?"

Zhou Ye's eyes were shining: "I really want to see your first match after you return."

"Haha."

Raising both hands to stretch his muscles, Tang Ye took a deep breath.

"Me too."

The Times front-page headline in bold: TY attended the Los Angeles Lakers' victory banquet, boarded a plane at the airport the next day, destination Manchester.

Here it comes!

Football reporters staked out various airports in Minnesota and California, and ultimately The Times scooped the competition, becoming the first to report the news of Tang Ye departing the United States.

Repost: Reporters photographed Tang Ye waiting at Los Angeles Airport, accompanied by his girlfriend and club staff.

The newspaper certainly wasn't just talking; besides the news article, The Times also published many photos of Tang Ye.

"TY followed behind the airport staff, walking quickly; judging by his performance, he has recovered very well. Based on the flight's landing time, he should arrive in Manchester by 10:00 London time on October 2nd."

【Everyone stand up!!!】

【Liwupu: It's over, he's coming for me.】

【Hahahahahaha】

【I never laugh so arrogantly, but this time I must be arrogant.】

【Can anyone contact the captain of this flight? Please ask the captain to fly faster; say it's requested by Manchester United fans.】

Ten Hag had revealed multiple times in previous interviews with reporters that Tang Ye might return to the team soon, and the news from The Times has now confirmed this matter.

All signs indicate that Tang Ye is not far from returning to the Premier League pitch.

After the July value update, the combined value of Manchester United's three midfielders reached 400 million euros, highly anticipated by fans.

And due to Tang Ye's injury, Premier League fans have yet to see the complete form of Manchester United's devilish trio of midfielders this season.

But!

Fans now have a premonition, a very strong premonition.

They are about to see what they want to see!

Manchester United Official: Tang Ye returns to the team, officially starting training on October 4th.

The announcement confirming Tang Ye's return to the team was accompanied by a photo of Tang Ye arriving at the Carrington Base in short sleeves.

That man has arrived!

Manchester Evening News Headline: TY officially returns to the team to join combined training, expected to make an official comeback within three weeks.

"Currently, Manchester United ranks second in the Premier League, and given the current situation, Manchester United's overall performance appears slightly weaker than Liwupu's."

According to the reporter, a balance has formed between Manchester United and Liwupu so far this season: Liwupu is first, and Manchester United is second.

But Tang Ye's return could break this balance.

Whether Manchester United fans are excited remains unknown, but Liwupu fans are surely feeling quite pressured right now.

"Haha, Tom."

In the Manchester United gym, Rodri walked toward Tang Ye and gave him a big hug. "It feels like it's been a long time."

Rodri placed his hand on Tang Ye's shoulder, and the two walked into the gym together.

"Actually, it hasn't been long; only a little over three months."

Back at the base, Tang Ye appeared very relaxed.

He had already experienced two complete seasons at Carrington; this place could now even give him a sense of security.

Familiar places are places that provide a sense of security.

Regardless of how others felt, for Tang Ye, it was exactly like this.

"Three months isn't long, but it feels like a long time."

Rashford got off the treadmill and high-fived Tang Ye: "That freckled kid from Mettray Primary School told me he really wants to see you."

"He also asked me to bring you something, saying it could speed up the recovery from your bone fracture."

"What is it?"

Tang Ye knew who the freckled kid Rashford mentioned was; it was precisely the donation recipient of the Cat and Mouse duo, a local orphan in Manchester.

"I don't know either; it seems to be a small postcard. I left it at home and didn't bring it."

"Oh, then why didn't you bring it?"

Tang Ye spread his hands, then lightly punched Rashford's arm, looking somewhat blaming.

"Haha, I'll bring it to you tomorrow, I'll bring it to you tomorrow."

Rashford shrugged, opened his arms to hug Tang Ye, and patted Tang Ye's back: "Welcome back, Tom!"

"Haha!"

There weren't many people in the gym, but Rodri quickly helped call over the other teammates.

"Tom!"

Ashley Young let out a roar and then chest-bumped Tang Ye.

Boom!

Ashley Young forcefully patted Tang Ye's arm; one could tell how excited he was: "Manchester United without you is incomplete."

"Haha!"

De Ligt and Wan-Bissaka also came over, clapping hands and hugging Tang Ye respectively.

Although these two new Red Devils signings were not familiar with Tang Ye, they didn't even have each other's contact information.

But when the team's big brother returns after recovering from an injury, failing to go up and greet him would be truly too immature.

"You are taller than I imagined."

De Ligt said with a smile.

"But not as tall as you, haha; I feel like you must be 1.9 meters."

Tang Ye compared his height with De Ligt's: "Welcome to Manchester United, Matthijs."

"Hmm, I've already been here for over two months."

"Haha!"

Besides the players, Manchester United's coaching staff naturally arrived as well; while Tang Ye was greeting his teammates, Ten Hag stood nearby watching.

Objectively speaking, this was merely a starting player returning to the team, but for some reason, Tang Ye's return made Ten Hag feel a sense of relaxation.

As expected, this was the moment of highest morale within the Manchester United squad since the start of the 2019-20 season.

It felt as though everyone was ready!

Well, of course, it should still be a few weeks before Tang Ye officially returned to the pitch.

"Ousmane!"

Just as Ten Hag was lost in thought, Tang Ye spotted Dembélé.

"Haha."

"Damn, Ousmane, I truly never expected to see you at Carrington."

The feeling between Tang Ye and Dembélé now was like that of old comrades-in-arms who hadn't seen each other for years, meeting again at a new workplace.

Of course, the actual situation was indeed exactly that.

Tom and Ousmane were comrades-in-arms who had fought side by side!

Damn it, just thinking about training and competing alongside Dembélé in the future made Tang Ye incredibly excited.

Training with the team really is more comfortable!

After afternoon training ended, Ten Hag gathered all the players in the conference room for an impromptu meeting.

"We can see very clearly that today belongs to Manchester United."

Ten Hag pointed at Tang Ye: "I must solemnly announce Tom's return."

"Wow!!!"

"Tom!"

"GG Bond~"

Screams erupted in the conference room; Ten Hag corrected Rodri's words: "Not GG Bond, it's Tom."

"Haha."

"Alright, alright."

Ten Hag signaled for all the players to quiet down, then, with Fan Fan Dejiahe's assistance, opened the PowerPoint: "Starting from the season before last—oh no, strictly speaking, our rivalry with Mancheng began in the 2016-17 season: 2017-18, 2018-19..."

The PowerPoint displayed the points comparison between Manchester United and Mancheng over the last three seasons.

It was evident that Manchester United and Mancheng had posted similar league results in recent years.

"But this season, so far, Mancheng's performance has been somewhat below my expectations,"

Ten Hag said.

Even without Tang Ye in the squad, Manchester United could still press one head above Mancheng; this was sufficient to show that Mancheng's form since the start of the season had been poor.

Therefore, Ten Hag's meaning was that Manchester United players needed to focus their attention on Liwupu ahead of them,

not on Mancheng behind them.

"We should look higher."

"When Tom wasn't here before, I wouldn't demand too much from you, because I knew some things were difficult to achieve with an incomplete starting lineup."

"But now the situation is different."

"We were last season's Premier League champions, so we should also be this season's Premier League champions. Liwupu is currently first in the Premier League... but that is only temporary; I can guarantee you this, provided you do what needs to be done."

Manchester United staff revealed: After Tang Ye rejoined the squad, Manchester United held an impromptu meeting, with the focus directed toward the Premier League.

London Football cover story—"The Biggest Challenge for Liwupu in the 2019-20 Season? Manchester United's 400-Million Midfield Line Ready to Deploy."

"Since Matchday 2 of this season, Liwupu has steadily remained at the top of the standings, which demonstrates the excellent form of Klopp's team,"

"But I think Liwupu fans can no longer remain optimistic," the reporter said.

Truth Daily—"If he can recover in time, TY is expected to feature in Manchester United's Champions League group stage match against Dortmund. This will be Escrivá's first encounter with TY since joining Dortmund."

Starting from noon yesterday when Tang Ye officially rejoined the squad, football-related newspapers had been continuously reporting on matters concerning Manchester United.

Not only were Manchester United fans excited, but neutral fans also showed obvious reactions.

Fans worldwide turned their attention to Liwupu.

At this very moment, Manchester United's official social media accounts released a long video.

The video was 12 minutes long, containing a record of all of Tang Ye's goals and assists for Manchester United starting from 2017.

Tang Ye (41 years old)

【Ball Control: 90; Passing: 93】

【Shooting: 82; Heading: 61; Set Pieces: 82】

【Pace: 79; Stamina: 80; Physicality: 86】

【Defending: 77; Vision: 99】

Overall Rating: 89

(End of Chapter)