Chapter 768: The Start of 2022: Manchester United's Winter Transfer Window Dilemma

Check Dongqiu Di Match Report: In Round 20 of the Premier League, Manchester United defeated Burnley 7-1 at home; after Tang Ye's double Golden Ball celebration, he provided two assists, while Cristiano Ronaldo scored his first hat-trick since returning to Manchester United. (356,213 comments)

Manchester United, Cristiano Ronaldo, hat-trick.

To be honest, seeing these keywords makes many old fans feel as if they have returned to ten years ago, or even fifteen years ago.

When was Cristiano Ronaldo's last hat-trick for Manchester United?

One would have to count back from 2010, wouldn't one?

Undoubtedly, Cristiano Ronaldo's performance in this match can only be described as stunning.

"Scoring goals is my job; there is no doubt about that."

As the MVP, Cristiano Ronaldo accepted an interview with a Sky Sports reporter and answered some questions regarding the team.

Here comes the impressive part: Sky Sports first praised Cristiano Ronaldo's performance in this match, appearing very polite, yet this is clearly not the standard style of English journalists.

Next came eight questions, all eight of which were about Tang Ye.

"We noticed that all three of your goals came from indirect or direct assists by TY... do you have any comments on this?"

Cristiano Ronaldo curled his lip: "For a striker to receive passes from midfield, I think that is very normal; TY sometimes plays like a winger, and generally speaking, I prefer cooperating with wingers. Since I also played as a winger for a long time, I know what my teammates will do."

"Would completing a hat-trick without TY's assistance hold more significance for you?"

The reporter began setting a trap.

"No, of course not. I do not care who provided the assist; certainly, TY's assists were good, but I believe whether a hat-trick holds significance has nothing to do with the identity of the assister; a hat-trick emphasizes the scorer."

Cristiano Ronaldo frowned.

Although he answered this way, one could see from the camera footage that the Portuguese player's demeanor was no longer very good.

"Have you considered becoming the captain of Manchester United?"

"..."

Cristiano Ronaldo looked at the reporter, clenched his teeth briefly, then relaxed: "I feel this is not a meaningful topic; I was not captain when I was previously at Manchester United, and similarly, I was not captain at Real Madrid; I do not have much experience serving as captain."

"Furthermore, I feel whether one is captain is not important; what matters is your performance in the match, and today I achieved a hat-trick."

While speaking, Cristiano Ronaldo slightly raised the Best Player trophy in his hand so that fans watching through the camera could clearly see his trophy.

"We observe that your relationship with TY seems to have improved considerably; was this due to Ten Hag mediating in between?"

"... No!"

Upon mentioning Ten Hag, Cristiano Ronaldo's reaction suddenly became somewhat intense: "That my relationship with TY has improved is correct, but I do not believe Ten Hag played any role in it; moreover, this has nothing to do with him either; a head coach's job is to arrange the team's tactics."

Cristiano Ronaldo felt there was nothing wrong with this statement of his, yet in reality, sharp-eyed reporters would capture some loopholes.

Cristiano Ronaldo stating that his relationship with Tang Ye has improved indirectly indicates that there were some minor conflicts between the two, thereby confirming their previous on-field interactions.

Then there is the matter of Ten Hag.

Previously, many journalists held the view that the conflict between Cristiano Ronaldo and Tang Ye was the biggest internal conflict within Manchester United this season, bar none.

It now appears this viewpoint is incorrect.

All journalists have been misled!

The crux of the matter does not lie between Cristiano Ronaldo and Tang Ye.

It lies between Cristiano Ronaldo and Ten Hag!

Sky Sports Front Page Headline: A Major Blunder by Football Journalists! Is the Tension Between Cristiano Ronaldo and Ten Hag Growing?

Mundo Deportivo Cover: 7-1 Massacre of Burnley, How Much Weight Does Cristiano Ronaldo's Hat-Trick Carry?

Leaving aside the content of Sky Sports' report, the latest news from Mundo Deportivo is obviously more noteworthy.

The article's author is an unknown Spaniard; in his view, Cristiano Ronaldo's hat-trick does not carry as much weight as fans imagine.

The article is highly targeted, clearly aimed at Cristiano Ronaldo.

"If the score had been 3-1 or 4-2, then I would believe Ronaldo's hat-trick carried weight, because that would have determined the match's trajectory, or even dominated the match to some extent; but the final score between Manchester United and Burnley was 7-1, which means defeating their opponent posed no difficulty whatsoever for Manchester United; even without Ronaldo's hat-trick, Manchester United could still have won the match 4-1."

"Even if Ronaldo were replaced by BF (Bruno Fernandes), who presses more actively, playing as the center forward, Manchester United might not have conceded a goal at all, resulting in a final score of 4-0," the reporter added.

"Then let us look at TY's hat-tricks; TY's hat-tricks came against Bayern Munich, Mancheng, Liwupu, and additionally a hat-trick against the Japanese national team in international play; the weight they carry is obviously higher than Ronaldo's; this is also why very few fans criticize TY."

At the end of the article, this reporter offered his suggestion to Ten Hag: do not let Cristiano Ronaldo continue to serve as a starting player.

Or rather, he could start, but he should not play the full match.

Maintain a high-pressing state for 60 minutes, then substitute him off.

This article first sparked controversy in Spain, soon spreading to other parts of Europe, as well as Asia.

The article's author was severely criticized, because an Italian fan dug up this reporter's Instagram records, revealing that this Spanish reporter had uploaded a photo of himself with Messi in 2018.

A Messi fan!

However...

Actually, this reporter still has some supporters, because the idea of letting Cristiano Ronaldo start for 60 minutes before being substituted off has been proposed before, and many people agree with this viewpoint.

If Cristiano Ronaldo wants to integrate into Manchester United's system, then he must do this.

January 1st.

Today is the first day of 2022, and also China's New Year's Day.

To thank Chinese fans for their support, the team organized Manchester United players to film a New Year's greeting video, just like the previous Christmas greetings.

"Marshall!"

Dembélé stood straight and bowed slightly toward the camera.

"Haha!"

Tang Ye laughed nearby and approached the table together with B. Fernandes.

On the oversized table were laid paper and a calligraphy brush, and of course, ink.

"So what do we do now? Just write directly on it?"

Tang Ye looked at the camera; in fact, the team staff member holding it was there because the staff had arranged it.

"I think we should just write directly."

Having spoken, B. Fei prepared to grab a pen, but Rodri stopped him: "Nono, don't rush; there must be something else."

"What thing?"

B. Fei looked up and saw a staff member grinding ink on the table: "Fuck, what is this?"

"For writing."

Tang Ye said, "I know this thing."

"Wow... so troublesome. Do all you Chinese people write like this? Why not use a ballpoint pen, the kind where you just pop the cap and write?"

"Definitely not; I use ballpoint pens too. It's just that writing with this looks cooler."

Tang Ye shared his thoughts on the brush with Dembele.

"Then can you do it?"

Dembele placed his hand on Tang Ye's shoulder: "I just want to know what you mean by 'looks cooler.' This looks a bit sticky; will the writing come out sticky too, like writing with honey?"

"I don't know either."

Tang Ye shook his head.

"You don't know, yet you say all that?"

Dembele pushed Tang Ye away.

"Haha! What are you doing? You can't blame me for this; how would I know? I've never written with it before."