Chapter 703: Tang Ye's MVP is a Backstage Manipulation

The first half was nearly over, and the score had already reached 3-1.

Although they had eased up a bit, Manchester United's advantage was still quite evident.

The most obvious advantage lay in their attacking rhythm; after winning the ball in their own half, Manchester United could move it forward more quickly and convert it into effective attacks.

Beijing Guoan was far inferior to Manchester United in terms of counter-attacks, but of course, there was nothing they could do about that.

After all, you would be hard-pressed to find many teams globally with a better counter-attack than Manchester United.

"Hey, this is exactly what we mentioned earlier: Tang Ye's return is the best news for Manchester United's new season, far surpassing any other signing."

"This is the difference between Tang Ye and Bruno Fernandes. We've said Fernandes is more like a younger version of Tang Ye—simply put, he's more aggressive than steady. That's why we saw Manchester United's overall possession rate last season was relatively low, often dropping below 35% even against some strong teams."

"As for Tang Ye, his technical characteristics are comparatively more mature."

"Yes, exactly, because he can balance aggression with steadiness. He passes when he sees a suitable opportunity, but if the opportunity isn't right, hey, that's when Tang Ye showcases his ball-control abilities!"

The LeSports commentators were lavishing praise on Tang Ye.

Whenever Tang Ye made a move on the pitch, the commentators would immediately magnify it tenfold for analysis.

It might sound somewhat exaggerated, but in reality, the effect was quite good.

After the commentators began heaping praise on Tang Ye, Check Dongqiu Di was flooded with comments like "These two LeSports commentators are pretty good!", "LeSports commentary is indeed professional", and "Not bad, not bad, feels even more professional than CCTV!"

Objectively speaking, commentators shouldn't lavish excessive praise on one specific player on the field; it's inappropriate. In extreme cases, it could even provoke resentment among some fans.

But Tang Ye was a slightly special case.

It was now evening in Beijing time.

Tang Ye, like the sun, blanketed the Bird's Nest; the commentators and fans were all squinting, blinded by the light radiating from the sun.

Their hearts desired nothing else, only hoping to sing praises to the sun's greatness!

Tang Army!

Loyalty!

"Tang Ye is driving down the right flank, preparing to combine with Dembélé!"

"Dembélé takes the ball and cuts inside!"

"Beautiful!"

Dembélé easily brushed past Li Lei, closing in on the penalty area.

A curled shot!

Slap!

A curled shot was unleashed.

But from extreme distance, it was pushed away by the goalkeeper Hou Sen!

"Wow!"

B. Fe shrugged, broke into a smile, then placed his hand on Dembélé's head and patted it.

"..."

"Beep, beep-beep—!!!"

The first half ended, with the score temporarily holding at 1-3.

"Both sides should make some large-scale adjustments to their lineups in the second half."

Friendly matches have no limit on substitutions, meaning both Manchester United and Beijing Guoan could change players as they pleased.

"The players on Manchester United's bench are ready; we'd say Manchester United is highly likely to make changes."

"But my personal suggestion, my personal suggestion is that Beijing Guoan shouldn't substitute their starting players off just yet, because opportunities to play against Premier League teams are indeed rare; Beijing Guoan could try testing themselves against Manchester United's substitute lineup!"

The cheers of the fans echoed throughout the Bird's Nest as Tang Ye and Bakambu met before the player tunnel.

"Fuck, you're too exaggerated, Tom!"

Bakambu put his arm around Tang Ye's neck, the two leaning against each other.

Four years had passed since the 2016-17 season, and Bakambu marveled at the changes in his friend Tom: "I watched the Champions League on TV; I felt you hadn't gotten much stronger."

Bakambu pointed at Tang Ye's nose as if scolding him: "But, fuck! The feeling from watching on TV is different from the feeling of playing against you live."

"Haha!"

Tang Ye patted Bakambu on the back: "Do you know why you feel this way?"

"Hmm? Why?"

"Because you've gotten old, Cédric!"

"Hey, come on!"

Tang Ye ran off as soon as he finished speaking, and Bakambu quickly chased after him.

Check Dongqiu Di halftime report: Bird's Nest clash, Beijing Guoan trailing Manchester United 1-3 at halftime; Li Lei scored, Tang Ye netted twice.

【So satisfying! Will Manchester United still field their starting lineup in the second half?】

【Probably not, but I feel Beijing Guoan could arrange for their starters to play a while, give them a chance to train.】

【Male God GGBond, if I could watch you play football every day, I'd be willing to drive luxury cars and live in mansions!】

【Get our Tang Tang Qiuwang onto Beijing Guoan in the second half; at this rate, Beijing Guoan is going to concede five goals.】

【Beijing Guoan fans express strong agreement; wouldn't someone from the National People's Congress come play a season for our Beijing Guoan?】

【To the person above, go to sleep early; you're already a bit delirious.】

"Wow!"

Just back in the locker room, Dembélé let out a cry, then immediately lay down on the treatment table in the center.

"Squeeze in!"

Tang Ye also lay down, the two squeezing together: "So tired, so tired."

"Are you going to play the full match, Tom?"

"Yeah, so what?"

"If you're going to play the full match, why are you complaining about being tired? Get lost!"

Dembélé exerted force with his buttocks and directly shoved Tang Ye down.

"Hey! Fuck, haha!"

Tang Ye lay on the ground and looked up.

Two eyes were staring right at him; those were Ten Hag's eyes.

Hm?

Stunned for a moment, Tang Ye quickly stood up: "Wow, Mr. Sitting Like."

"Stop sleeping."

Ten Hag gestured for Tang Ye to stand up quickly.

A friendly match is a friendly match, but in essence, it is still a football game.

"We need to use these few friendly matches to find the feeling of playing official games, so I actually don't want you to be too relaxed, understand? Our mission in the new season is very heavy!"

"Okay, okay, understood."

Tang Ye returned to his position while Ten Hag went over to the tactical board.

"There aren't many things to cover in today's match; I'll specifically emphasize a few points."

"First, regarding defense: during defense, we can try more varied approaches. We also don't need to fear mistakes; this is a friendly match. If we make a mistake, worst case scenario, the opponent scores a goal—we can handle that. What I need from you is to learn something from this match. We can learn something from any team; do you understand what I mean?"

Ten Hag scanned the room, especially the few defenders within the Manchester United squad: "Why did they only have one goal?"

"Also, I need you to remain serious, but this is seriousness in terms of awareness, seriousness in terms of mental state."

"Seriousness in awareness is different from the seriousness you display outwardly. When you are playing on the field, if you hear many fans shouting your names, then what I mean is that you need to acknowledge the fans in the stands."

Clap!

Ten Hag clapped his hands: "Doing it this way is appropriate."

"I will make some substitutions in the second half, around the 60-minute mark."

The plan was to make substitutions at the 50-minute mark; this is Manchester United's habit when playing friendly matches.

However, due to the rumors linking Escrivá with the Chinese national team, Ten Hag had to make a temporary adjustment to the substitution plan.

Time quickly arrived at the second half.

"Tang Ye!"

"Tang Ye!"

"Rodri! Damn! Wow!"

Just as the LeTV commentators suggested, after the second half began, Beijing Guoan showed no intention of making substitutions, likely wanting to seize this opportunity to play a friendly match against Manchester United.

When the clock hit 60 minutes, the score on the field remained 1:3.

Manchester United's planned substitution time had arrived, and Ten Hag began making adjustments.

Dembélé prepared to walk off the field, but Rodri beside him grabbed hold of him.

Rodri gave Dembélé a meaningful glance, then looked at De Jong.

The Manchester United defensive midfielder made a crossing-arms gesture toward Ten Hag.

Dembélé hadn't yet understood what Rodri meant by this, so the latter explained in a low voice: "This is China; give Tom some face."

The match intensity was very low; a full 90-minute game was equivalent to playing just half a Premier League match.

Rodri and De Jong felt that the final 30 minutes didn't matter much either, signaling Dembélé to finish playing the last 30 minutes.

Tang Ye was originally intended to play the full match, but he had not requested his teammates to do the same.

The fact that Tang Ye did not actively request it did not mean he didn't want his teammates to continue playing.

Dembélé was too young; it was up to Rodri to provide some education!

"Oh, yeah, right!"

Dembélé also made the crossing-arms gesture, politely declining the substitution.

"Manchester United is making large-scale substitution adjustments here..."

"Then next, Tang Ye should be leading the substitute lineup against Beijing Guoan; I feel Beijing Guoan still has a certain chance!"

"Yes..."

"Coming on are Amad Diallo, Allé, Dalot..."

After observing the commentators carefully, they discovered that only four people were standing on Manchester United's substitute bench.

"Eh, isn't Rodri being substituted?"

"Hmm, Dembélé isn't being substituted either!"

After a brief moment of thought, the commentators and fans quickly discovered the pattern within.

Ten Hag had kept all Manchester United players on the field whose market value exceeded 100 million euros.

What... what does this mean?

【Awesome! Saint Ten!】

【As expected, Ten Hag is truly giving Tang Ye face...】

The fans reacted, marveling at their own Ggbond's powerful ability.

Are you kidding me!

Ggbond's face should never be questioned in the first place!

"Aren't you guys coming off?"

Tang Ye shrugged at Rodri, who merely shook his head: "Haven't found the feeling yet."