Chapter Summaries

While Tang Ye missed Manchester United’s preseason matches to undergo intense training in Los Angeles, fans and pundits speculated about his disappearance, and Manchester United added Ziyech to Erik ten Hag’s growing circle of former opponents and allies. As Krag arrived to bring Tang Ye back to England, he saw how much stronger and faster Tang Ye had become and wondered whether he should delay his return.

• After Manchester United lost to Liverpool, Erik ten Hag said Tang Ye was handling personal matters, while Pep Guardiola and Sky Sports commentators discussed Tang Ye’s absence and possible explanations.
• Tang Ye trained in Los Angeles with a performance coach, enduring strength and sprint work to improve his running technique and physical condition.
• Manchester United signed Ziyech, and a Dongqiudi fan placed him in the club’s humorous Rattan Armor hierarchy after uncovering his past matches against Erik ten Hag and Tang Ye.
• Manchester United lost 0:1 to Real Madrid, completing a disappointing preseason without Tang Ye, as fans worried that he might be suffering from depression.
• Krag visited the Lakers facility, found that Tang Ye had gained weight and completed demanding strength training, then watched his sprint work and called Erik ten Hag to suggest delaying Tang Ye’s return.

Tang Ye remained in Los Angeles for intense training while Manchester United lost the Community Shield without him and fans grew anxious about his absence. He returned to Manchester on August 10 stronger and more physically prepared, surprising an airport worker who recognized him.

• Erik ten Hag persuaded Tang Ye not to post proof of his training, arguing that a dramatic return would make a stronger impression.
• Erik ten Hag convinced Manchester United executives to let Tang Ye remain in Los Angeles until August 10, while the club rejected Barcelona's offer to trade Ousmane Dembélé for him.
• Manchester United lost the Community Shield 0-2 to Manchester City without Tang Ye, prompting angry fans to blame Erik ten Hag and the club for his absence.
• Tang Ye trained at Lakers' Home alongside James and raised his Physicality to 85, his Stamina to 76, and his overall rating to 86.
• Tang Ye returned to Manchester on August 10 and revealed himself to an airport worker who had assumed he was still away because of a mental illness.
• The Sun reported that Tang Ye looked broader and tanned, and the airport worker said he seemed fully prepared for the season.

Tang Ye’s childhood flashback revealed his loneliness at Luneng Football School, while in the present he returned to Manchester United after training in Los Angeles and showed off his new strength. After missing the Leicester City match, he began changing his hairstyle as he prepared to rejoin the squad.

• In 2009, Tang Ye impressed his U13 Red Team teammates with a ball-lifting move, and Li Weibin resisted sending him to the U15 side because he still had weaknesses.
• On parent visitation day, Tang Ye waited alone for his parents, then shared a KFC delivery with Yellow Team player Luo Kang, who introduced him to CrossFire.
• The Guardian published a photograph of Tang Ye returning to Carrington, and fans speculated about his fitness after his United States training.
• Tang Ye reunited with his Manchester United teammates, showed off his added muscle, and learned he would miss the Leicester City match while adjusting to the time difference.
• After Manchester United drew 1-1 with Leicester City, Erik ten Hag said Tang Ye was mentally healthy and expected him to be in the next matchday squad.
• Tang Ye visited a barber, chose to perm his hair for more volume, and decided to dye it yellow.

Tang Ye returned to Manchester United after training in Los Angeles with a bulkier build and yellow hair, then made the squad for their away match against Brighton. After Manchester United fell behind 3:2, Erik ten Hag sent Tang Ye and Ziyech on in the 68th minute.

• Tang Ye read criticism that his new bulk might hurt his agility, while Mata and the other Manchester United players asked why he had dyed his hair yellow.
• During training, Tang Ye instinctively dodged Mata instead of colliding with him, then scored a long-range shot past David de Gea.
• Erik ten Hag named Tang Ye among the substitutes for Manchester United's match against Brighton, and Tang Ye observed Brighton's strong central attacks from the bench.
• Brighton took a 2:1 halftime lead after Groß scored a penalty, and Erik ten Hag reprimanded Manchester United's players in the dressing room.
• Herrera equalized in the 57th minute, but Dunk headed Brighton back in front at 3:2.
• Erik ten Hag substituted Tang Ye and Ziyech for Lingard and Mata in the 68th minute, and Tang Ye ran onto the pitch calling for his position.

Tang Ye made his first appearance of the new season as Manchester United’s substitute against Brighton, helping spark a late equalizer with his passing and nearly scoring with two long-range efforts. The match ended 3–3, and attention turned to whether he would start against Tottenham and whether his shooting could reshape Manchester United’s tactics.

• Tang Ye came on for Jesse Lingard in the 69th minute with Manchester United trailing Brighton 3–2.
• Tang Ye tried a long shot from nearly thirty meters, but Brighton goalkeeper Mathew Ryan pushed it away.
• Tang Ye’s volleyed pass sent Rashford through, and Rashford scored after his first shot hit the post to make it 3–3.
• Tang Ye nearly scored a late winner with a curling shot that struck the post, and the match ended in a draw.
• Tang Ye told reporters he wanted to keep practicing long shots, while Erik ten Hag said the coaches would judge him through future matches.
• FourFourTwo suggested that accurate long-range shooting from Tom could bring a tactical transformation for Manchester United ahead of the Tottenham match.

Tang Ye made his first start of the season against Tottenham Hotspur and powered Manchester United to a 2–0 first-half lead with a goal and a penalty. The chapter ended at halftime with Tang Ye angry after Dele Alli deliberately shoved him, while Rodri promised to back him if the confrontation continued.

• Erik ten Hag named Tang Ye in Manchester United’s starting lineup and urged him to set himself free before the match.
• Tang Ye opened the scoring in the 17th minute with a long-range finish after combining with Juan Mata and benefiting from Haller’s run.
• Tang Ye won a penalty after Eric Dier fouled him, then scored from the spot to put Manchester United 2–0 ahead.
• Dele Alli shoved Tang Ye over the touchline, sparking a confrontation between the players; the referee booked Dele Alli.
• Harry Kane volleyed over near the end of the half, and Tang Ye complained about Dele Alli in the dressing room while Rodri offered to help if another fight broke out.

Tang Ye scored a hat-trick as Manchester United beat Tottenham Hotspur 3–0, then earned a yellow card for provoking Dele Alli. The chapter ended with Erik ten Hag praising Tang Ye and taking credit for his training in the United States.

• Erik ten Hag and Mitchell van der Gaag urged Tang Ye to stay calm around Dele Alli, and Tang Ye promised he would.
• Tang Ye helped Manchester United build attacks in the second half, but Dele Alli tripped him during one move and the referee showed no card.
• Tang Ye scored a 27-meter shot that bounced in off the crossbar, completing a hat-trick and giving Manchester United a 3–0 lead.
• Tang Ye confronted and provoked Dele Alli after celebrating, so the referee showed Tang Ye a yellow card.
• Manchester United defeated Tottenham Hotspur 3–0, and Tang Ye received the MVP trophy.
• Erik ten Hag defended Tang Ye at the press conference and credited his United States training with his improved strength and speed.

Tang Ye prepared for Manchester United’s Champions League draw and September league push, then learned the club had been drawn with Bayern Munich, Valencia, and Young Boys. In Manchester United’s match against Burnley, he assisted Haller’s goal after Mata had opened the scoring, and a new side mission appeared.

• Tang Ye read fan comments about the Champions League draw and hoped to avoid every Pot 1 team, while Zhou Ye’s father questioned her about her boyfriend.
• At training, Erik ten Hag told the players to stay focused on the league and win all four of their September matches to climb the table.
• Manchester United’s draw placed them in Group H with Bayern Munich, Valencia, and Young Boys, and Tang Ye received a Champions League mission to score three goals or provide three assists.
• Tang Ye received Comeback Points for assisting Haller and joked with teammates during training.
• Against Burnley, Mata scored in the seventh minute after Tang Ye helped create the attack.
• Tang Ye recovered from a challenge and threaded a pass to Haller, who scored; Tang Ye earned ten Comeback Points and a new side mission appeared.

Manchester United beat Burnley 4–0 despite Rashford’s controversial red card, with Tang Ye assisting twice and leading the ten-man side’s attack. The win began their four-match winning-streak quest, while Rashford faced a three-match suspension and Liverpool moved to the top of the Premier League table.

• Tang Ye helped Manchester United build a 3–0 first-half lead, assisting Luke Shaw’s goal after Burnley tried to contain him.
• After the break, Rashford was sent off for headbutting Benjamin, leaving Manchester United with ten men.
• Erik ten Hag brought on Ziyech, and Tang Ye helped drive a counterattack that ended with Ziyech scoring for 4–0.
• Manchester United completed the win, giving Tang Ye’s quest its first win toward a four-match streak.
• Tang Ye reassured Rashford that Manchester United could win their next matches without him, while Rashford prepared to serve his suspension.
• Liverpool beat Leicester City 2–1 to claim a fourth consecutive league win and take the Premier League lead on goal difference.

Tang Ye helped Luneng Football School’s U13 team reach third place in the national finals, but felt overlooked because his twelve assists earned no trophy. After returning home, he was disappointed by Tang Zhengxiong’s dismissive reaction and turned to gaming with Luo Kang and Wang Ruiqi.

• Tang Ye assisted twice against the older U15 Yellow Team, then learned that Luo Kang had not made the squad for the national finals.
• Tang Ye and the U13 team finished third in the 2009 National Youth Football League, and Tang Ye resented that the Golden Boot went to Liu Zhi despite Tang Ye recording more assists than goals.
• Tang Ye returned home and told Zhang Qingqing about his twelve assists, but Tang Zhengxiong dismissed the value of third place and argued that Tang Ye should play basketball instead of football.
• Tang Ye went to his room and logged into a game, where he found Luo Kang and Wang Ruiqi online.

During training, Tang Ye improved his heading enough to pass every attribute threshold, then joined Manchester United for their away match against Watford. Juan Mata put United ahead, but Watford equalized before halftime, leaving ten Hag and Tang Ye to plan a more effective attack for the second half.

• Tang Ye joked with Greenwood, Rodri, and Rashford about free kicks before practicing headers and raising his heading attribute from 59 to 60.
• Tang Ye watched the preview for Manchester United's match against Watford, where Rashford was unavailable through suspension.
• At Vicarage Road, Tang Ye joked with de Jong about kicking the ball at a hostile Watford supporter.
• Tang Ye launched a counterattack with a long pass, and Rodri set up Juan Mata to score Manchester United's opening goal.
• Watford equalized through Andre Gray after Tang Ye failed to stop a pass with a sliding tackle, and the first half ended 1-1.
• Tang Ye suggested attacking down the flanks, and ten Hag told the team to use more active fullbacks before they returned to the pitch.

Manchester United beat Watford 2-1 for their third straight league win, then traveled to Switzerland to begin their Champions League campaign against Young Boys. Marcus Rashford scored in the seventeenth minute, leaving United ahead in their opening group match.

• Tang Ye assisted Haller’s sliding goal to put Manchester United 2-1 ahead against Watford.
• Ziyech replaced Juan Mata, and Jesse Lingard later came on for Tang Ye as Manchester United held on to win.
• Valencia praised the team’s performance and urged Manchester United to build on their nine points from three league matches.
• Tang Ye traveled with Manchester United to Switzerland for their Champions League opener against Young Boys.
• Rashford collected the ball after a clearance and scored in the seventeenth minute to give Manchester United the lead.

Manchester United demolished Young Boys 5-0 in their Champions League opener, with Tang Ye recording two assists, then turned their attention to Wolverhampton Wanderers. As the team prepared for a difficult league match, Tang Ye remained undecided about playing in the AFC Asian Cup, and Manchester United began the match against Wolverhampton with an aggressive new approach.

• Tang Ye directed Manchester United's attack as Marcus Rashford, Ander Herrera, Haller, and Chris Smalling helped build a 5-0 win over Young Boys; Tang Ye supplied two assists and had a goal ruled offside.
• Manchester United finished the first Champions League round ahead of Bayern Munich on goal difference after Bayern beat Valencia 2-1.
• On the flight home, Mitchell van der Gaag warned the players that Wolverhampton Wanderers had drawn with Manchester City, while Rodri noticed Tang Ye had been gaming less than usual.
• Tang Ye remained unsure whether to join China national football team for the AFC Asian Cup, despite wanting to play and facing pressure from his club schedule.
• Manchester United prepared to face ninth-place Wolverhampton Wanderers at Old Trafford in cold, rainy conditions, with Marcus Rashford suspended.
• Manchester United opened the match by using a faster, more aggressive tempo, and De Jong passed straight to Tang Ye.

Manchester United fell behind Wolverhampton Wanderers to Rúben Neves’s spectacular long-range goal, and the referee denied Tang Ye a first-half penalty. Tang Ye equalized after the break with a curling free kick, while Erik ten Hag privately claimed he had taught him the technique.

• Manchester United struggled to build attacks as Wolverhampton Wanderers threatened, and Rúben Neves scored a stunning shot to put the visitors ahead.
• Tang Ye went down in Wolverhampton Wanderers’ penalty area after Bennett challenged him, but the referee refused to award a penalty before halftime.
• Erik ten Hag urged Manchester United to stay composed in the dressing room, while Nuno encouraged Wolverhampton Wanderers to protect their lead.
• After the break, Luke Shaw won Manchester United a free kick, and Tang Ye curled it around the wall and into the net to equalize.
• Erik ten Hag told Mitchell van der Gaag that he had taught Tang Ye the free-kick technique and asked him to keep it secret.

Tang Ye helped Manchester United come from behind to beat Wolverhampton Wanderers 2-1, then became the focus of a betting frenzy after fans treated his Premier League assist-leader odds as a safe investment. After he was rested against Derby County, a newspaper claimed he might have been targeted by bankers, and Manchester United confirmed he was alive ahead of the West Ham United match.

• Tang Ye assisted Jesse Lingard's goal as Manchester United beat Wolverhampton Wanderers 2-1 and maintained their perfect record across all competitions in September.
• Tang Ye became the Premier League assist-leader betting favorite, prompting him to ask fans to stay rational and joke about betting against himself.
• Erik ten Hag rested Tang Ye for the EFL Cup match against Derby County, which Manchester United won 1-0; Tang Ye's winning-streak mission progress remained at 3/4.
• Metro suggested bankers might have arranged Tang Ye's assassination, and Mitchell van der Gaag noted that the article had affected Tang Ye's betting odds.
• Manchester United posted that Tang Ye was alive and well as the West Ham United match approached.

Ziyech sought advice from Erik ten Hag and Mitchell van der Gaag about earning Tang Ye’s trust, while Manchester United prepared to face West Ham United. Tang Ye started the match, helped set up Rashford’s opening goal, and the chapter ended with Haller winning a penalty after a foul in the box.

• Ziyech told Erik ten Hag that Tang Ye rarely passed to him, and Erik advised him to speak with Tang Ye directly.
• Van der Gaag later suggested Ziyech build a friendship with Tang Ye by integrating himself into the Manchester United squad.
• Tang Ye trained his cutback cross and joined his teammates as they prepared to face West Ham United with Rashford back from suspension.
• Tang Ye started against West Ham United and helped create Rashford’s goal before the twentieth minute with a through ball to Haller, who laid it off for Rashford to score.
• West Ham United counterattacked through Rice and Zabaleta, but de Gea saved Obiang’s shot.
• Diop fouled Haller in the penalty area, and Manchester United were awarded a penalty.

Tang Ye scored twice as Manchester United beat West Ham United 3-2 away, completing their September winning streak despite Chris Smalling’s own goal. He claimed the World Cup Semifinal Treasure Chest reward and began a mission to upgrade it to a World Cup Champion Treasure Chest by earning five Premier League points.

• Tang Ye converted a penalty after Haller was fouled, giving Manchester United a 2-0 lead before West Ham United pulled one back through Arnautović.
• Tang Ye’s first-half outside-of-the-foot shot went wide, and Manchester United led West Ham United 2-1 at halftime.
• After replacing the injured Haller, Martial assisted Tang Ye’s goal in the 62nd minute to put Manchester United ahead 3-1.
• Chris Smalling scored an own goal in the 75th minute, but Manchester United held on to win 3-2 and complete their September winning streak.
• Tang Ye reassured Smalling in the dressing room, then accepted the World Cup Semifinal Treasure Chest and started a mission to earn five Premier League points to upgrade it.

Tang Ye helped Manchester United prepare for and face Valencia in the Champions League, where he assisted Frenkie de Jong’s first club goal and scored himself. At halftime, Manchester United led 2–0, and Tang Ye’s next chain mission stood at four of eight assists.

• Tang Ye trained with Manchester United after the club denied his request for a National Day holiday, practicing fullback overlaps and cutback crosses under Erik ten Hag.
• Reports circulated that Marouane Fellaini could transfer to Luneng Taishan and that Erik ten Hag wanted to sell Anthony Martial in the winter window.
• Manchester United started against Valencia in a 4-3-3 formation, and Tang Ye slipped in the seventh minute but avoided blame when Batshuayi was caught offside.
• Tang Ye set up Frenkie de Jong for the opening goal, completing the first Champions League chain mission and unlocking its reward and a second mission.
• Tang Ye scored with a far-corner curl to make it 2–0, and Manchester United went into halftime ahead while his second mission reached four of eight assists.

Tang Ye helped Manchester United secure a 2–0 win over Valencia, then celebrated as the club continued its winning run and climbed the Premier League table. As Liverpool and Manchester City faced off in a title clash, Tang Ye watched with Rodri but fell asleep before the match unfolded.

• Tang Ye spoke with former Villarreal teammate Cheryshev before the second half, then helped Manchester United defend their lead and set up a chance for Rodri in a 2–0 win over Valencia.
• Tang Ye visited Valencia’s dressing room with Rodri, joked to Cheryshev that Valencia would lose the return leg, and hurried away after Rodri warned him about the other players.
• Tang Ye celebrated at a bar, upgraded Ronaldo’s Chicken Breast to +9 with Comeback Points, and commented on LeBron James’s Lakers debut on Instagram.
• Manchester United beat Newcastle 1–0 for their sixth straight league win, while commentators discussed how the Liverpool–Manchester City result could affect United’s place in the table.
• Guardiola said Manchester City were capable of winning consecutive titles and credited United’s pursuit with helping City reach 100 points the previous season.
• Tang Ye predicted Liverpool looked stronger before watching Liverpool face Manchester City with Rodri, but he fell asleep during the broadcast.

After Manchester United drew level with Manchester City in the league standings, Tang Ye trained his skills, attended a Lakers game in Las Vegas, and prepared to face Chelsea. The chapter ended with a finance professor revealing that he had bet on Tang Ye to win the Champions League assist title.

• Manchester United sat third on 20 points, level with Manchester City, while Tang Ye scored in training and learned the coaches planned to develop his long-range shooting.
• France Football announced Tang Ye among the 30 Ballon d'Or nominees, prompting fans to debate his chances.
• Tang Ye watched the Lakers play the Warriors in Las Vegas, met Kobe Bryant, and heard James joke about attempting Tang Ye's goal celebration.
• Tang Ye raised his cutback-cross skill to Replica level as Manchester United prepared to face Chelsea, with Erik ten Hag planning to counter Kanté and Jorginho.
• Professor Nick Robbins criticized the low returns on bets for Tang Ye to win the Premier League assist title, then said he had bet on Tang Ye to win the Champions League assist title.