Chapter 21: Van Gaal's Youth Storm?!

Three o'clock in the afternoon.

Li Kang followed the club and boarded the flight to Manchester.

"Li, when you were at La Masia, could you often see Messi?"

Kramer put down his handheld game and asked curiously.

Li Kang shook his head.

Kramer's expression showed slight regret.

This guy is a famous Messi fan.

His personal social media account's avatar is still a photo with Messi.

Kramer's most famous incident was still in the 2014 Brazil World Cup final, when he collided with Argentine defender Garay and fell to the ground; after examination by the team doctor, he was diagnosed with a concussion.

After getting up, he returned to the pitch and immediately ran to the referee, asking: "Is this the World Cup final?"

The referee thought he was joking.

After playing for ten or so minutes, his teammates also felt he was abnormal.

German coach Löw quickly substituted him off...

Thus, Kramer lifted the World Cup trophy.

Brandt said: "After browsing social media for a year, I always thought Manchester United's performance was poor, causing their fans much pain... but upon looking, I saw that although many veterans had retired during the rebuilding period, they still managed to finish fourth in the Premier League."

Two hours later.

Lewokusen's bus slowly entered Old Trafford Stadium.

Several hundred die-hard fans waved their team flags along the road.

Schmidt, led by stadium staff, arrived at the pre-match press conference venue.

The media reporters merely gave a brief round of applause, then turned their attention back to Manchester United manager Van Gaal.

After all, how can your fame, Schmidt, compare to that of a world-renowned coach?

A reporter asked: "Mr. Van Gaal, in the past season, Manchester United's number of long passes..."

Van Gaal's face darkened.

"In the past season, you always liked to criticize my tactics. Manchester United had 60% possession. Do you think relying on long passes could achieve such figures? Our long passes mainly use the width of the pitch to shift play..."

As he spoke, he picked up a stack of tactical analysis sheets from the table.

He began to explain Manchester United's tactics with vivid illustrations.

He did not shy away from Schmidt in the distance.

The reporters were dumbfounded...

Manchester United's manager is too stubborn!

It's like stabbing oneself in the belly with a dagger to prove how many bowls of noodles one has eaten!

Fifteen minutes later.

Van Gaal, tired from speaking, handed his tactical documents to the press officer, indicating they should be passed around for everyone to see.

He looked down on this group of Premier League reporters.

"The position of Manchester United head coach is the hardest job in the world!"

Schmidt had already run off.

He returned to the changing room with his assistant, puffing smoke.

"Damn it, this is just an open-book exam, isn't it?! Stupid world-famous coach! We need to come up with a response quickly!"

"Li, change into your kit and go out first!"

Bang!

Li Kang had just walked out of the changing room.

The door was then slammed shut by the assistant.

"What's going on? Lewokusen's number 10 was actually kicked out of the changing room? That's a great number!"

Van Gaal loosened his red tie and walked up to Li Kang.

After sizing him up, he showed a puzzled expression: "Little guy, haven't I seen you somewhere before?"

Manchester United assistant Giggs hurriedly urged: "Boss! We have to go... pre-match preparations..."

Van Gaal nodded, then turned and left.

Having taken only a few steps, he turned back and said: "The night in Manchester County is a bit chilly; you'd better go back to the changing room to get a jacket."

Giggs looked helpless.

Our head coach's attitude toward young players is exactly the same as Ferguson's.

Li Kang politely nodded.

For a while, he couldn't get back to the changing room.

He could only follow the signs to the bench.

As soon as he walked out of the tunnel,

he was stunned by the grandeur of Old Trafford.

Looking out,

all he saw was a sea of red.

The broadcasts on all sides were playing the stirring UEFA Champions League anthem.

This stadium, which has witnessed Manchester United's century of rise and fall and carried countless glories, is the Theatre of Dreams.

At this moment, it was like a red savage beast, completely devouring the tiny him.

"CTV5! CTV5! Good evening, viewers!"

"Welcome to the first leg of the 2015/16 season UEFA Champions League qualifying play‑off!"

"Manchester United VS Lewokusen!"

"It's rare; this Champions League qualifying match attracted broadcasts from 26 TV stations worldwide! The viewership is close to that of the Champions League round of 16!"

"The team that gains an aggregate score advantage over the two legs will directly advance to the Champions League main tournament!"

"I am the commentator for this match - Duan Xuan!"

"I am He Wei!"

"-【Why are they the two again? I want to see the commentary of Coach Zhang and Teacher Zhan Jun!】"

"-【Fake fans say: This is the first time seeing Manchester United have to play a qualifying match; have the Red Devils fallen to such a state?】"

"-【Manchester United is currently in a rebuilding phase... a transitional phase; let me give you an analogy: the attitude of Manchester United fans now is just like how we view the China national team!】"

"-【Wasn't Van Gaal last season victorious in both the Manchester United–Liverpool clash and the Manchester derby? Leading a group of youngsters to a fourth‑place finish in the Premier League—aren't Manchester United fans satisfied?】"

"-【I'll just say this: Manchester United is now plagued by internal and external troubles; no matter who becomes head coach, it's useless! Just like when the China national team loses, everyone blames the coach, but the truth is those players simply aren't good enough!】"

"-【And what about Van Gaal's sycophants? He's trash! I'll put it straight: if he gets sacked, Manchester United will bounce back to first in the Premier League in no time! Champions League pinnacle! (dog head for luck)】"

"The Champions League anthem suddenly stopped."

"The referee squad led the players of both sides out of the tunnel."

"In Manchester United's lineup, several fresh faces appeared."

"Van Gaal's starting lineup changes a lot every match; he really likes to field young players! He built Manchester United's youth storm!"

"Manchester United lined up in a 4-1-4-1 formation!"

"Goalkeeper: De Gea!"

"Left back: Rojo!"

"Center backs: Smalling and Blind!"

"Right back: Bellerín!"

"Defensive midfielder: Carrick!"

"Central midfielders: Lingard, Herrera, Fellaini, Depay!"

"Forward: Martial!"

"In Lewokusen's technical area, Schmidt was dumbfounded."

"This lineup... is completely different from what Van Gaal said!"

"Why are the attacking core Rooney and Mata on the bench?"

"Lewokusen lined up in a 4-2-3-1 formation!"

"Goalkeeper:..."

"With the referee's whistle."

"The match officially began!"

"Lewokusen possession."

"Kiessling kicked off and passed back to Çalhanoğlu."

"Çalhanoğlu began to build up play calmly."

"Manchester United's formation did not drop back."

"The midfield and forward players constantly ran back and forth, pressing fiercely."

"Van Gaal is one of the representatives of attacking football; in his football philosophy, pressing is the core!"

"Çalhanoğlu received a teammate's pass in Manchester United's half, in the 40-meter zone."

"Fellaini immediately rushed over!"

"He lunged in with a sliding tackle!"

"Thud!"

"He cleanly tackled and won the ball!"

"Herrera, making a supporting run forward, tapped the ball with his left foot."

"He slipped a diagonal pass with his right foot."

"The ball lifted off the ground."

"It flew toward the right flank!"