Chapter 717: Manchester United Treads the Path to Dynasty Once More

It was still that familiar taste; the most distinct feature of Manchester United's counterattacks was speed.

"Go past him!"

Tang Ye shouted, and Dembélé pressed forward quickly, ready at any moment to provide support for Rashford.

Rashford, of course, did not stand idle either; after receiving the ball, he made an adjustment on the spot.

Press forward!

Cooper and Koch almost simultaneously began to retreat, one directly in front and one diagonally ahead, the two preparing to double-team Rashford.

Koch slowed down slightly, retreating sideways, forcing Rashford to reduce his pace as a result.

"Get up there!"

B. Fernandes shouted, signaling for Rashford to move toward the left baseline.

But Rashford did not take B. Fernandes' advice; the Manchester United striker chose to slow down further, finally coming to a stop in his position.

Pass back to Dembélé!

Now it was Dembélé with the ball!

Whoosh!

A drag on the grass first; facing the defender, Dembélé executed a series of feints, accelerating to cut inside the moment the defender lost his balance.

"Oh!"

Fuck!

The defender yanked Dembélé down.

Foul!

But before hitting the ground, Dembélé successfully passed the ball back to Rashford, so it was still Manchester United's attacking opportunity.

After hesitating just now, this time Rashford was finally more decisive, dribbling the ball himself toward the penalty area.

"Shoot directly!"

"Shoot, shoot!"

"Rashford, shoot!"

The fans shouted loudly; Rashford adjusted his body and blasted a shot.

Thwack!

The ball smashed into Struijk.

It rebounded out!

B. Fernandes and Koch were fighting for the landing point!

Although B. Fernandes was rather thin and not tall, this guy was indeed extremely active on the pitch.

Bang!

B. Fernandes and Koch collided.

Neither of them reached the ball; in the end, the ball fell into an open space.

!!

Tang Ye accelerated over.

Koch was charging over too!

Eh!

Tang Ye reached the ball a step earlier, flicking it up with his toe while simultaneously shaking off Koch.

He adjusted after landing.

Inside the penalty area were a goalkeeper and a center-back; Tang Ye very decisively chose to strike with a driven shot.

"Gooo——aaaaa——llll!!!"

"Goal!"

"Beautiful! Tang Ye!"

"Manchester United's first official match goal of the season!"

"But we still need to check whether B. Fernandes committed a foul during the challenge!"

It was a fine goal, but B. Fernandes seemed to have a suspicion of fouling, so they still needed to wait a moment.

"He knocked me down!"

Koch appealed to the referee: "Why should this goal count? They knocked me down before they got the ball!"

"..."

Leeds United desperately did not want this goal to be ruled valid, but the referee was certain he had seen it clearly.

"Beep!!"

The goal stands!

Check Dongqiu Di live match report: Tang Ye flicks the ball to shake off his marker plus a driven shot from outside the box; Manchester United scores the first goal of the new season.

【Not bad, not bad, feels good.】

【B. Fernandes playing as a winger is actually quite good; he presses well. The problem is B. Fernandes' speed is just too poor...】

【No matter how poor the speed is, it's not as poor as Tang Ye's. I feel B. Fernandes can still play as a striker, if Brother Luo doesn't come.】

【The one above, bold of you!】

For the first goal of the new season, Tang Ye very decisively ran toward the stands.

Bang!

Swish swish swish!!!

After standing up, he embraced B. Fernandes; the Portuguese man tightly hugged Tang Ye's head and planted a kiss on the latter's hair.

"Nice, nice!"

"Bravo!"

Dembélé jumped up.

"Tang Ye!"

"Tang Ye!"

"Forever Tang Ye!"

Over 70,000 spectators at Old Trafford were shouting his name; Tang Ye, long accustomed to all this, raised both hands high.

This gesture ignited even more passion among the fans.

"We are the champions! (We are the champions!)"

"Premier League champions! (Premier League champions!)"

Winning the league title outright in the very first match of the new season—the arrogance of Manchester United fans was truly unmatched.

"Hmm, but thinking about it carefully, I actually believe Manchester United fans are qualified to say this. Because looking at the squad, United's starting lineup is indeed superior to that of the other title-contending teams."

"This is what fans often call the Wang Chao of Manchester United!"

While speaking, He Wei suddenly raised his voice: "Hey, does Tang Ye's return signify the return of the quadruple-winning Manchester United of the 2020-21 season? We've been discussing this topic for a long time."

Quadruple-winning Manchester United.

It seemed like a title from the distant past, but upon reflection, that former prosperity was only two years ago.

In such a short span of time, wouldn't restoring their peak form actually not be too difficult?

"..."

"Wan-Bissaka advances on the right; Tang Ye actively moves to receive."

"Shift Bruno Fernandes to the center!"

"Hmm, this setup by Manchester United is excellent; shifting the whole formation right means Bruno Fernandes is temporarily playing as an attacking midfielder."

Slap!

Wan-Bissaka passes the ball out.

Tang Ye had prepared to receive the ball, but Wan-Bissaka's pass was a bit too fast.

He stretches out his foot!

Bang!

Tang Ye slipped to the ground but still failed to reach the ball.

Fortunately, Rodri covered the position.

"Go!"

Pointing straight ahead, Rodri sent a through ball to Bruno Fernandes making a forward run.

"Wow!!!"

Bruno Fernandes transfers the ball to Dembélé!

Manchester United's number one winger began his performance; after combining with Rashford and regaining possession, he immediately curled a shot.

Aiming for the far corner!

Goal!

Manchester United's second goal of the match.

2:0!

"Wow!"

Ten Hag raised both hands in celebration, then called Rashford over to the sideline.

"You need to be bolder!"

Ten Hag placed both hands on Rashford's temples, giving instructions, before turning to find Tang Ye and Bruno Fernandes.

"If you intend to swap positions, shift laterally, or make crossing runs, you must execute them with sufficient speed."

For Rashford, who had temporarily lost confidence, Ten Hag needed to speak softly.

But for Bruno Fernandes and Tang Ye, these two players in full form, Ten Hag needed to give them a proper scolding.

"I know, I know, just watch me operate."

Tang Ye tapped Ten Hag's arm.

"Let's go!"

Clap, clap, clap!

"The opponent is a relegation-battling team; two goals aren't enough!"

Manchester United's objective this season is the double crown of the Champions League and the league title.

With this goal in mind, and learning from the lessons of previous seasons, Erik decided to start accumulating goal difference right at the beginning of the league campaign.

Free up early, so they can focus seriously on the Champions League later!

The 37th minute.

Leeds United found a very good opportunity; Raphinha nearly broke into Manchester United's penalty area.

But the gap in hard strength was truly too difficult to bridge; De Ligt cleared the ball with a kick.

The Leeds United manager could only sit in his seat and sigh.

Possession statistics.

MUN: 74%.

LEE: 26%.

"..."

Facing a team that plays defensive counterattacks, Leeds United put up a 7.5:2.5 possession ratio.

Anyone who has watched even a little football knows what kind of ordeal this newly promoted Premier League side is currently going through.

"Actually... I think Leeds United's main problem right now is just getting the ball past midfield—they've stopped even looking for the box. Only by getting the ball into Manchester United's half can they find attacking chances!"

"..."

"Tang Ye—oh, beautiful!"

A through ball precisely found Dembélé at the very front.

Struijk's reaction speed was a bit too slow. Dembélé received the through ball, took a simple touch, and it was a one-on-one with the keeper!

Smack!

3:0!