Football: I am only 16 years old, and you want me to retire and make a comeback?

Chapter 821 is just a phase adjustment.

"..."

After Ten Hag announced the starting lineup, the Manchester United training ground was unusually quiet.

Dembele looked at Rodri, then at De Jong, and finally at Tang Ye.

Tang Ye simply exchanged a glance with Dembele before looking away.

The Manchester United midfielder didn't seem surprised by today's starting lineup.

However, Dembele was unaware of what had happened and remained silent along with De Jong.

The most shocked person must be Cristiano Ronaldo.

As the "protagonist" in the starting lineup, he knew absolutely nothing.

Despite being the main protagonist of the incident, he was somehow turned into an outsider?

"…What is going on?"

After Ten Hag left, Dembele and De Jong caught up with Tang Ye and expressed their surprise at the matter.

"what happened?"

Tang Ye was still chewing his gum, seemingly not fully aware of the whole situation.

"This……"

Dembele took a deep breath: "Eric actually started Ronaldo? I really didn't expect that."

Judging from Tang Ye's performance, Dembele is convinced that the captain has nothing to do with this matter.

Then it must be Ten Hag's problem.

"Could it be that Eric has changed his opinion of Ronaldo?"

De Jong shared his thoughts, but Dembele quickly dismissed them: "No, it should just be a phase of adjustment."

Dembele seemed lost in thought, behaving like a wise and detached monk, well-versed in worldly affairs.

"Eric probably wanted to shift the blame and make others think he had nothing to do with it, so he started Ronaldo."

"Come on!"

"Osman, you think such disgusting things about Eric!"

Tang Ye didn't seem to agree with Dembele's opinion.

“No, no, no, you believe me, that’s definitely how it is. Tom, you should know Eric better than anyone. He won’t even listen to Rod Marcus and the others. No one can make him change.”

"This shows that this was just one move in his game."

Dembele drew his conclusion.

"Jesus!"

Tang Ye waved his hand: "Eric is disgusting in your eyes. You're overthinking it."

Don't you think I'm absolutely right?

Dembele put his hand on Tang Ye's shoulder.

Regardless of what Tang Ye said, he didn't think his judgment was wrong.

……

"what do you mean?"

At Ten Hag's request, Ronaldo found the coach before dinner started, without even having time to change his clothes.

Do you have any objections to the starting lineup?

At that moment, Ten Hag and Van der Gaghe were packing things in the office when they saw Ronaldo enter and straightened up.

Ten Hag looked Ronaldo up and down: "Do you feel you're not in good form, so you shouldn't start?"

"No."

Cristiano Ronaldo shook his head: "I just want to know what you mean by this, charity?"

“If it’s charity, I don’t think I need it. Just do what you originally thought.”

Cristiano Ronaldo was all ready to retaliate against Ten Hag, and then this happened out of nowhere.

The gun is already loaded, how could you take the bullet out!
"What do you mean, 'my original thought'? You're overthinking it."

Ten Hach sat down, while Van der Gach simply slipped away.

"What I mean is that I'm starting you because your goal-scoring ability will help the team. I need your goal-scoring ability, do you understand what I mean, Cristiano?"

"...So, it's because we already led 4-1 in the first leg, so you want to save energy for Martial and Alejandro?"

"...fuck!"

It's surprising that Ronaldo was made so sensitive; Ten Hag was speechless.

"I didn't mean anything by it. Besides, being three goals ahead in the first leg doesn't mean we'll give up in the second leg. Tom and Osman are both on the pitch, do you think we're going to concede in the second leg?"

Cristiano Ronaldo remained silent.

With both Tang Ye and Dembele present, it proves that Manchester United's attitude towards the game is definitely not a problem.

In that case...

Don't think the worst of me!

Ten Hag interrupted Ronaldo's thoughts: "If you don't want to start, I don't mind taking you off."

"...So, how long can I play in tomorrow's match against Huang Qian?"

Ten Hach shook his head: "I don't know, that's not a question you should be asking right now."

"However, according to my usual practice, if the lead is quite large, I will substitute the key players earlier. That's all I can say."

"I still have things to take care of, so if possible, I hope you can leave as soon as possible."

Cristiano Ronaldo didn't say anything and left directly as Ten Hag requested.

Upon exiting the building, Ronaldo encountered Van der Gaël, who was sitting in a chair waiting for him. Without greeting the Manchester United assistant coach, Ronaldo simply turned and walked away.

"Do not think too much."

Ronaldo heard Van der Gaël's voice behind him, slowed his pace, and turned his head.

"Play well, keep it up!"

Van der Gach raised his right hand.

He wanted to give Ronaldo a fist bump, but the Portuguese player didn't raise his right hand.

Ugh.

Not interesting!
……

In an interview with Titan Sports, Eskreva stated that Argentina and Germany are world-class teams; he is still unsure how to approach the World Cup, but believes the team will be more confident after training together during the off-season; Ukraine has the ability to qualify for the World Cup finals, but he declined to comment on Ukraine.

Eskeriva also had a tough time, being interviewed by reporters even after the Asian Cup qualifiers ended.

The group stage draw for the Chinese national football team is, of course, one of the core topics.

Group C, in which the Chinese team is located, includes teams from the European playoffs, including Ukraine, which is currently at war, adding further controversy to the group.

"The Ukrainian national team has a promising young striker from Shakhtar Donetsk, whose sprinting speed is astonishing, and he even has the opportunity to participate in high-level 100-meter races," the reporter mentioned.

Eskreva isn't stupid; he's not going to answer any questions about Ukraine.

“I haven’t heard of this rookie forward you’re talking about, but I think sprint speed is crucial for a forward, and he should be a very good player.”

"So... about Ten Hah, Ten Hah has said he'd like to have dinner with you. Are you ready?"

"If he's willing, that would be great. But I'm not that kind of person. Manchester United is in a crucial period right now, so I'll give him some time. Because if the manager is hospitalized due to injury, it will still have some impact on the team's performance, even though I don't think Ten Hag is a competent manager."

"..."

"I don't think he was joking?"

Outside the Old Trafford home team's dressing room, Van der Gach looked at Ten Hag with an awkward expression: "What you said before, he was joking."

"……I have no idea."

Ten Hach shook his head: "It's just an act. I think Ferran is very hypocritical; he can put on such an expression."

“Michel, don’t forget we’re football coaches, not fighters. Solving problems doesn’t have to involve fighting. He can talk to me nicely.”

"That's...ok."

Van der Gach and Ten Hag exchanged fist bumps in preparation for the upcoming Champions League match.

Meanwhile, Tang Ye was using the toilet, standing in front of the urinal thinking about his task.

[Champions League Knockout Stage Missions - Stage Two]

[Mission Objective: Advance to the Champions League semi-finals with a perfect record, and surpass Messi and Ronaldo's combined goals and assists] [Current Progress: Not yet advanced, Goals and Assists (14/15)]

The task seemed difficult to complete, but fortunately, Tang Ye had a lot of assists, so he wasn't worried at all.

Two more assists would complete the task, so Villarreal will have to be sacrificed.

Waaaaah, my favorite yellow submarine!

"Tom!"

"Don't talk when you're in the toilet, Osman!"

"No way, can you even aim properly? You pulled on my foot!"

"Oh shit. Sorry, Osman, I was just spacing out. It's okay, don't tell anyone, no one else will know. Focus on the game, Osman."

"I'm really impressed by you."

……

"China Media Group, this is a live broadcast for you..."

"The match has already begun!"

"The crowd at Old Trafford is still incredibly passionate today."

"Yes, after all, it's impossible for Manchester United fans not to be excited now, given that they were leading by 3 goals in the first leg."

"Furthermore, we can see that Ronaldo is in the starting lineup today!"

Half an hour ago, when many Manchester United fans saw Ronaldo's name on the starting lineup, they thought they had misread it.

Didn't they say that Portuguese egg tarts were kept in Dutch prisons?

Why did Cristiano Ronaldo suddenly start?
Given Ten Hag's consistent style, today's match has become suspicious in the eyes of many fans.

Did Eric have a change of heart and decide to stop enjoying Portuguese egg tarts alone?

Or did he discover that the Portuguese egg tarts in the prison had expired, so he decided to parade them through the streets and let the fans thoroughly humiliate this once-glorious egg tart?
Ten Hag punished his brothers.

[Something seems off. Did Ronaldo secretly beat up Ten Hag? Should he call Dalot along?]

Whether it's true or false, nobody's saying.

It would be embarrassing to get hit, but even if Ten Hag got hit, he wouldn't say anything; at most, he'd make a sarcastic remark about Ronaldo.

[You guys are overthinking it. Isn't a top striker like Ronaldo a natural counter to Villarreal? I'm optimistic that Ronaldo will score today.]

To be honest, Ronaldo has been on the bench for so long that many fans have forgotten what his last start was like.

Never mind, let's see how they perform today!

Dalot dribbled up the right flank, followed by a defender.

Hey!

B. Fernandes shrugged, wanting the ball.

The two Portuguese players coordinated very well, and Dalot got a good passing opportunity after regaining possession of the ball.

Snapped!
To Cristiano Ronaldo!
Cristiano Ronaldo moved closer, preparing to extend his leg to control the ball!
boom!
He flicked the ball with his heel to Rashford.

But Ronaldo and Rashford clearly didn't think of the same thing, and Ronaldo tipped the ball to Trigueros.

"Oh!"

"Cristiano Ronaldo hasn't started in a long time!"

"Yes, it's been a long time since I started, but viewers at home don't need to be nervous. The initial performance doesn't mean much."

"Alright, let's slow down a bit. Now I'll introduce the away team's starting lineup!"

"Villarreal from La Liga, the club where Chinese striker Wu Lei plays, and also Tang Ye's former club!"

Using the term "former club" might be a bit inappropriate, since Tang Ye was previously with Villarreal on loan.

But using the term "former employer" is also acceptable in a certain sense.

After all, Tang Ye's season with Wolverhampton Wanderers was worth at least five seasons for many local fans.

viva TomTom!

It's that handsome hero who used to wear a cape!

Villarreal (4-4-2)

Goalkeeper: Asenjo
Defenders: Estupinian, Pau Torres, Albiol, Aurier

Midfielders: Trigueros, Capoue, Parejo, Jeremy Pino
Forwards: Danjuma, Wu Lei

Head Coach: Emery

He started in the second leg of the Champions League quarter-final and was valued at €15 million.

"If I remember correctly, this should be the most brilliant season of Wu Lei's career."

"Yes, that's true at the moment."

"It all depends on whether Wu Lei can help Villarreal deal with Tang Ye."

"Um, I think it's a bit difficult."

"haha, yes."

The match had just begun, and the Manchester United players were playing quite cautiously.

With a three-goal lead, Manchester United certainly doesn't need to rush the game.

The away team, Villarreal, is in a different situation; they are the losing side.

Facing a formidable opponent like Manchester United, Emery needs to lead his Villarreal players to a decisive victory!
"..."

Parejo passed the ball directly to Wu Lei!

A very good touch and acceleration allowed Wu Lei to quickly close the gap with Dalot.

A one-on-one duel between China's top striker and Dalot!
Shake it!
Wu Lei played quite steadily; when he didn't find an opportunity immediately, he looked for Pino behind him.

Pinault then added Aurier, who was placed on the flank.

Aurier!
Hey!

Unbeknownst to him, Wu Lei had already run to the right flank and was waiting for a through pass from his teammate.

boom!
Beautiful Aurier!
Wu Lei adjusted and turned around.

Cross!

A high cross was delivered, and Luke Shaw and Trigueros collided at the far post.

Luke Shaw did not hit Triguerose!

Have the opportunity!
Possession of the ball fell to Danjuma.

"They've opened the door!"

boom!
A shot hit Martinez.

Oh!
so close!

"It's alright, don't panic!"

Tang Ye pressed his hands down, signaling his teammates to calm down.

Noticing that Ronaldo was frequently looking in his direction, Tang Ye said, "It's okay, just play at your own pace. You don't need to come back so often. Just stay up front. Our defense is strong enough!"

Perhaps it's because he hasn't started in a long time, or perhaps it's because he hasn't played in the Champions League knockout stage for a long time, but Ronaldo seemed a bit nervous.

However, this is actually unnecessary.

After all, today's opponent wasn't particularly strong, so it's a good opportunity to get used to things.

11 minutes.

Set piece.

Tang Ye and Rashford stood in line, and Tang Ye ran out first.

Snapped!
Just kick it!

De Ligt!

De Ligt headed the ball into the penalty area, but Aurier quickly headed it back.

The ball lands right in front of Lisandro Martinez!

It seems like there's a chance?
……

(End of this chapter)