Recaps

Tang Ye led China to a second consecutive AFC Asian Cup title while weighing sweeping plans for Chinese football and a move to Al Hilal. He left Manchester United for Saudi Arabia, then won his fifth Ballon d'Or as Al Hilal pursued qualification for the expanded Club World Cup.

• Manchester United beat Al Hilal 6–2 in the Club World Cup final, with Kane scoring a hat trick and Tang Ye lifting the trophy with him.
• Tang Ye helped Manchester United win the FA Cup and Champions League, including a 4–0 final victory over Manchester City, while remaining undecided about Al Hilal’s offers.
• Tang Ye advanced China through the Asian Cup knockouts with hat tricks against Australia and Iran, then led China past South Korea to reach the final.
• China came back against Japan in the final as Tang Ye scored and set up goals, then scored directly from a corner to secure a 3–2 victory and China’s second consecutive Asian Cup title.
• Tang Ye pursued changes to Chinese football and UDG’s youth-development partnerships while Real Madrid and Al Hilal made major offers for him.
• Tang Ye agreed to spend three years at Al Hilal before returning, and Manchester United sold him for €550 million as the club’s debt and the spending of the fee drew scrutiny.
• Tang Ye started strongly at Al Hilal, reunited with former Manchester United teammates at the Ballon d'Or ceremony, and won his fifth award, tying Messi’s record.