Chapter Summaries

Manchester United prepared for the Champions League final against Barcelona, with Tang Ye anxious to win and hoping to claim the Golden Boot. The chapter ended with Erik ten Hag telling Tang Ye to lead a dog onto the pitch before the final.

• Erik ten Hag defended his influence on Manchester United after reporters asked whether the team could win with a dog on the coaching bench.
• Tang Ye’s hat trick sent Manchester United past Bayern Munich, leaving him one goal behind Robert Lewandowski in the Champions League scoring chart.
• Barcelona fans complained about Ousmane Dembélé and de Jong’s performances after they joined Manchester United, while anticipation grew for the final.
• Tang Ye trained and discussed Manchester United’s attacking plan against Barcelona, then joked with teammates about helping him win the Golden Boot.
• Erik ten Hag called Tang Ye and instructed him to lead a dog onto the pitch for the final, leaving Tang Ye confused.

With Erik ten Hag returning to coach Manchester United in name only, Tang Ye led the team into the Champions League final against Barcelona with a French bulldog named Erik on the bench. The match began, and Marcus Rashford scored Manchester United’s opening goal.

• Erik ten Hag told Tang Ye to bring a small dog to the match, while news spread that interim manager McClaren had tested positive and Erik ten Hag had returned as Manchester United’s coach.
• Tang Ye represented Manchester United at the pre-match press conference, then rallied his teammates before the final with the French bulldog Erik barking in the dressing room.
• Tang Ye greeted Messi in the tunnel, returned for the dog, and explained that Erik would serve as Manchester United’s interim coach.
• Tang Ye led Erik to the away bench, tied the dog beside it, and Barcelona kicked off the Champions League final with a two-striker lineup.
• Frenkie de Jong won possession and helped Manchester United advance through Ousmane Dembélé and Marcus Rashford, who cut inside and scored past Marc-André ter Stegen.

Manchester United took a 3:1 lead over Barcelona in the Champions League final as Rashford and Haller scored around Tang Ye's goal and assist. After the first half, Tang Ye discovered that Suárez had injured his shin with his studs, but chose to focus on winning the title.

• Rashford scored from outside the box to give Manchester United an early lead, then Tang Ye copied Rashford's celebration with Dembélé.
• Tang Ye beat a defender and scored through ter Stegen's legs to put Manchester United 2:0 ahead.
• Messi controlled a corner and assisted Piqué, whose goal cut Barcelona's deficit to 2:1 after Tang Ye missed his defensive header.
• Tang Ye sent Haller a long through ball, and Haller scored to make it 3:1 before halftime.
• Tang Ye and Suárez shoved each other after the whistle, and Tang Ye later found puncture marks and blood on his shin from Suárez's studs.
• Dembélé offered to confront Barcelona, but Tang Ye declined and said they should win the title first.

Manchester United overwhelmed Barcelona 5-1 in the Champions League final, with Tang Ye assisting three goals and helping secure the club’s first title since 2008. After the final whistle, the players celebrated their victory as Erik ten Hag emerged to cheers.

• At halftime, Messi urged Barcelona to push their fullbacks forward, and the team planned to substitute Philippe Coutinho.
• Tang Ye beat Semedo with a Cruyff Turn and crossed for Ousmane Dembélé, who scored to put Manchester United 4-1 ahead.
• Tang Ye’s gesture prompted Manchester United to replace Luke Shaw and Haller with Ashley Young and Anthony Martial.
• Tang Ye delivered a free kick into the box, where Rodri scored to make it 5-1.
• Manchester United defeated Barcelona 5-1 to win the Champions League, and Tang Ye celebrated emotionally with Rodri.
• Erik ten Hag emerged to applause after the match, while the French bulldog Erik barked.

After Manchester United defeated Barcelona 5–1 in the Champions League final, Tang Ye and his teammates celebrated their European title and received their awards. Tang Ye left the ceremony with the final MVP and Golden Boot, carrying the trophy before the cheering crowd.

• Tang Ye comforted the tearful Ashley Young, then embraced Erik ten Hag as Manchester United celebrated its victory over Barcelona.
• Tang Ye refrained from approaching the devastated Lionel Messi after Juan Mata warned that it might be misunderstood.
• Erik ten Hag led Manchester United through Barcelona’s guard of honor and onto the podium to receive their medals and the Champions League trophy.
• Tang Ye handed the trophy to Ashley Young for the first lift, then raised it himself as Manchester United celebrated with confetti and applause.
• Tang Ye accepted the final MVP and Champions League Golden Boot awards, becoming the season’s top scorer with ten goals.
• Tang Ye carried the Champions League trophy toward the stands as his teammates followed.

Manchester United celebrated winning the Champions League and completing the quadruple as Tang Ye and Erik ten Hag faced questions about their contributions. While the team considered the season easy, Tang Ye wondered why every match had left him exhausted.

• Tang Ye and Ousmane Dembélé answered questions at the press conference, and Dembélé apologized to Barcelona fans for celebrating his goal.
• Ashley Young revealed Tang Ye had persuaded him to stay by promising he would win him a Champions League medal at Manchester United.
• Erik ten Hag defended his achievements and argued that his contribution to Manchester United went beyond the three matches he missed while sick.
• Manchester United celebrated their Champions League victory at the hotel, and Tang Ye told Marcus Rashford and David de Gea that beating Bayern Munich and Manchester City had made the season difficult.
• Erik ten Hag told Tang Ye he believed he played a major role in the team, then said the season had not felt especially tiring.
• Tang Ye reflected that he alone felt worn out by the matches and wondered whether Erik ten Hag and Rod had powerful recovery items.

Tang Ye received Platini’s Legacy after completing Manchester United’s Champions League quest, while the club celebrated its quadruple and said farewell to Ashley Young. Before his offseason began, Tang Ye met Boer to arrange a TUE for medication after his ADHD symptoms returned, but The Sun reported that he was likely the player seeking an exemption.

• Tang Ye opened the European Champion Ultimate Chest and obtained Platini’s Slow Dribbling Burst and Penalty Master templates, raising his overall rating to 93.
• Erik ten Hag won Champions League Coach of the Season, and Manchester United fans crowded Old Trafford to celebrate the club’s quadruple.
• Manchester United teammates gathered at Ashley Young’s home, where he announced his departure and urged Tang Ye’s team to pursue three consecutive Champions League titles.
• Tang Ye met Boer, who explained that he needed to resume methylphenidate and submit a TUE application for its use during competition.
• The Sun reported that an unnamed player had applied for a TUE and suggested that Tang Ye’s recurring ADHD symptoms made him the likely applicant.

Tang Ye’s ADHD medication exemption was rejected, putting his Manchester United registration and season in jeopardy as clubs sought to loan him. After Manchester United and Barcelona neared a one-season loan agreement, Tang Ye spotted Ferran waiting outside his home in the rain.

• UEFA named Tang Ye and several Manchester United players to its Team of the Season, and a cartoon of Erik ten Hag being carried to victory became popular.
• UK Anti-Doping rejected Tang Ye’s TUE application because his medical documents were too old, and club officials discussed medication, an appeal, and the risk of a long suspension.
• Manchester City suggested Tang Ye rest with the B team before returning in winter, while Barcelona and other clubs pursued a loan deal.
• Barcelona and Manchester United reached a preliminary agreement for a one-season loan, with Barcelona covering Tang Ye’s wages and paying a large fee.
• Tang Ye ran outside in the rain after spotting a man by the gate, then recognized him as Mr. Ferran.

Tang Ye remained unable to play for Manchester United while the club pursued a second appeal over his TUE and negotiated loans with Barcelona and Borussia Dortmund. At the end, Borussia Dortmund’s coach Escribá announced that the club had already launched its supposed “nuclear bomb” into the Bundesliga.

• Clark attacked UK Anti-Doping during a live interview and threatened to stop English football competitions from paying for its testing services if it rejected Tang Ye’s TUE.
• Tang Ye struggled during training, while Manchester United learned that changing the rules would take too long to help him register for the season.
• Tang Ye sat out Manchester United’s opening match against West Ham United and told reporters he wanted to play but did not know whether he would leave.
• Manchester United and Barcelona agreed on the loan fee but continued disputing Tang Ye’s wages, while Borussia Dortmund offered to cover them in full.
• Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu announced preliminary progress on a loan deal, with Barcelona still seeking to pay only half of Tang Ye’s wages.
• At a press conference attended by Bundesliga club staff, Escribá denied Dortmund had tried to force through Tang Ye’s loan, then declared the “nuclear bomb” had already been launched.

After his appeal failed, Tang Ye left Manchester United on loan to Borussia Dortmund, where he joined a high-spending squad under Escribá. His arrival ended with Escribá privately doubting whether the team’s lineup could win matches.

• Borussia Dortmund announced Tang Ye’s loan after Escribá confirmed the deal, angering Barcelona fans who blamed Bartomeu for failing to sign him.
• Tang Ye told reporters he would spend at least a season at Borussia Dortmund and remain a Manchester United player afterward, then discussed Bruno Fernandes as a possible replacement with Erik ten Hag and Mitchell van der Gaag.
• Erik ten Hag cried after Tang Ye left, while reports said Borussia Dortmund would pay his wages and had also signed Jude Bellingham.
• Tang Ye received 36,000 Comeback Points, declined to spend 20,000 on German mastery, and decided to take German classes instead.
• Tang Ye arrived at Borussia Dortmund, received the number 10 shirt, and was welcomed by Marco Reus, Erling Haaland, Jude Bellingham, and the team.
• Escribá looked over the squad and privately worried that Haaland, Bellingham, Paul Pogba, and Tang Ye made up a lineup unlikely to win matches.

Tang Ye completed his Borussia Dortmund fitness assessment and training while the club prepared for its Bundesliga title challenge and debated his role. After his TUE clearance allowed him to register, he studied Haaland’s strengths and weaknesses and bought a new growth item to improve his thinking speed.

• Flick praised Tang Ye but argued Bayern Munich’s squad was stronger than Borussia Dortmund’s and criticized Haaland’s heading and Bellingham’s experience.
• Tang Ye completed his fitness assessment, greeted Haaland and Bellingham, and began training with Borussia Dortmund.
• Tang Ye’s training impressed Escribá and Mati, who debated whether he should become the on-pitch captain despite Reus’s overlapping position.
• The German anti-doping agency approved Tang Ye’s TUE, and the Bundesliga registered him for the 2020-21 season.
• Tang Ye studied Haaland’s match footage and planned to develop low and cutback crosses to suit the striker.
• Tang Ye upgraded his training items and bought Haaland’s Nordic Cod, which increased his thinking speed for two hours.

Tang Ye attended the 2020-21 Champions League draw, won UEFA Best Player, and returned to Dortmund for his unveiling as Borussia Dortmund’s new number 10. The chapter ended with him emerging at Westfalenstadion to a roaring crowd before the home match against Freiburg.

• Tang Ye and Escribá answered reporters’ questions before the Champions League draw, and Ten Hag asked Tang Ye what he would do if Manchester United and Borussia Dortmund were drawn together.
• Drogba conducted the draw, placing Borussia Dortmund in Group D with Juventus, Chelsea, and Istanbul, while Manchester United landed in Group A with Ajax, Atalanta, and Lokomotiv Moscow.
• Tang Ye received the 2020 UEFA Best Player trophy, and Ten Hag accepted the Coach of the Year award as Escribá watched from below the stage.
• Tang Ye returned to Dortmund with Escribá, posted a photo of his trophy, and reviewed Borussia Dortmund’s October schedule with him.
• Tang Ye changed into Borussia Dortmund’s number 10 shirt and joked with Erling Haaland and Paul Pogba before heading to the pitch.
• Tang Ye jogged out of the tunnel at Westfalenstadion for his unveiling, and the stadium announcer introduced him as the club’s new number 10 to the cheering fans.

Tang Ye was unveiled at Borussia Dortmund and helped prepare Bellingham for his debut, while coach Escribá considered signing Chinese striker Yuning Zhang. Tang Ye objected to the transfer if it was being made for his sake, but Escribá misread his refusal and the chapter ended with news that Zhang Yuning had joined Dortmund.

• Tang Ye celebrated his Dortmund unveiling before the fans and kicked balls into the stands, while a giant tifo showed him holding the Bundesliga shield.
• After Dortmund beat Freiburg 2-0 without Tang Ye playing, reports said Escribá wanted to sign West Brom striker Yuning Zhang, and local fans supported the idea.
• Tang Ye advised Bellingham to think more calmly on the pitch as Reus and Brandt listened, while Haaland joked with Pogba about learning from Tang Ye.
• Tang Ye told Escribá not to sign Yuning Zhang solely for his sake, explaining that the move would make him feel guilty and put psychological pressure on him.
• Escribá watched a video claiming that Chinese people often say they do not want a gift when they actually do, then thanked the speaker in a comment.
• News reports announced that Yuning Zhang had transferred from West Brom to Borussia Dortmund.

Tang Ye made his Bundesliga debut for Borussia Dortmund against Hoffenheim and helped set up Erling Haaland’s opening goal. Dortmund continued attacking after halftime, and Marco Reus scored from a cross late in the match.

• Tang Ye joined Dortmund’s matchday squad for their away game against Hoffenheim, and the Bundesliga broadcast confirmed his debut.
• Tang Ye used a heel flick to send the ball into the penalty area, where Haaland scored Dortmund’s opening goal.
• At halftime, Hoffenheim manager Hoeneß urged his players to stop fearing Tang Ye and return to their normal play.
• Tang Ye sent a lofted pass to Haaland, whose shot was saved before Jude Bellingham fired the rebound over the goal.
• Tang Ye dribbled past Denis and passed to Solgen, who crossed toward Haaland; when Haaland missed his header, Marco Reus volleyed the ball into the net.

Tang Ye made an impressive Bundesliga debut as Borussia Dortmund beat Hoffenheim 3–1, but the match exposed tactical and defensive problems. After returning to London, he learned that the 2020 Ballon d'Or had likely been canceled, though he took the news calmly.

• Reus scored Dortmund's second goal, and Bellingham later earned a free kick after being fouled and received a yellow card for arguing.
• Tang Ye's free kick set up Pogba's headed goal, sealing a 3–1 win over Hoffenheim; Tang Ye finished his debut with two assists.
• In the dressing room, Reus asked Tang Ye how Dortmund compared with Chelsea and Juventus, and Tang Ye warned that Chelsea could be difficult without the right tactics.
• Escribá read criticism of Dortmund's tactical preparation, while reports noted the club's losses and Manchester United's strong finances and winning run.
• Tang Ye's agent, Boer, told him that efforts to preserve the 2020 Ballon d'Or selection had failed because of the pandemic.
• Tang Ye accepted that the award would likely be canceled and ended the call to prepare for his match.

Tang Ye and Borussia Dortmund faced Chelsea in their Champions League opener, where Chelsea came from behind to lead 2–1 at halftime. In the dressing room, Tang Ye urged the team to attack more aggressively, and Escribá adjusted the formation by pushing Bellingham forward and dropping Haaland deeper, leaving Pogba as the lone holding midfielder.

• France Football announced that it had cancelled the 2020 Ballon d'Or selection, prompting Tang Ye's odds and the controversy around the award to dominate discussion.
• Tang Ye received a new Champions League chain mission requiring three goals or three assists.
• Tang Ye set up Haaland to score in the 17th minute, giving Borussia Dortmund an early lead against Chelsea.
• Chelsea equalized through Abraham after a move involving Werner, Chilwell, and Hudson-Odoi, then brought Kanté on as a substitute.
• Kanté helped Chelsea build attacks, and Hudson-Odoi scored in the 40th minute to put Chelsea ahead 2–1 at halftime.
• Tang Ye proposed attacking more aggressively, and Escribá moved Bellingham forward, dropped Haaland deeper, and assigned Pogba to hold midfield.

Tang Ye scored twice to bring Borussia Dortmund level with Chelsea, first with a long-range strike and then with a 32-meter free kick. Dortmund won a late penalty, and Tang Ye left the ball with Erling Haaland as the match remained 3-3.

• Tang Ye embraced N'Golo Kanté and César Azpilicueta before the second half began, then moved to the right flank as Chelsea brought on Olivier Giroud.
• Tang Ye cut inside and scored a long-range goal to equalize, drawing chants from Manchester United fans who had come to watch him.
• Jude Bellingham's error helped Chelsea build a counterattack, and Giroud scored from a corner to put Chelsea ahead 3-2.
• Bellingham was substituted for Julian Brandt after struggling, and Tang Ye scored directly from a 32-meter free kick to make it 3-3.
• Tang Ye drove into the box in the 84th minute and won Dortmund a penalty, then declined Erling Haaland's offer to let him take it.

Tang Ye helped Borussia Dortmund draw 3-3 with Chelsea, then welcomed Zhang Yuning to the club and learned that Escribá had staked his job and salary on winning the Bundesliga after requesting Tang Ye’s loan. The chapter ended with Tang Ye discovering the severe terms of Escribá’s contract.

• Tang Ye gave Haaland the penalty against Chelsea, and Haaland missed as Borussia Dortmund drew 3-3 despite Tang Ye scoring twice and assisting once.
• Tang Ye defended Haaland’s penalty-taking role to reporters and said he did not want to replace him as the first-choice taker.
• Zhang Yuning joined Borussia Dortmund, and Tang Ye invited him to live at his villa and introduced him to Haaland at training.
• Transfermarkt valued Tang Ye at €260 million, setting a new record, while Wu Lei’s valuation rose above €12 million.
• Tang Ye found Escribá’s contract, which required Escribá to win the Bundesliga or resign without compensation and repay his 2020–21 salary and bonuses.

Tang Ye confronted Escribá about hiding his costly contract gamble and urged him to define Borussia Dortmund’s roles and trust him as the team’s core. Escribá adjusted the lineup, and Dortmund surged to a 3–0 lead over Schalke as Tang Ye and Haaland combined in attack.

• Tang Ye learned Escribá had risked more than fifteen million euros by giving up his contract buyout clause and salary, then pressed him to be decisive about the team’s roles and tactics.
• Tang Ye offered to take responsibility if his role as the core failed, and Escribá agreed to settle the lineup and tactical questions.
• Tang Ye stayed after training with Zhang Yuning, maxed out his cutback-cross template, and raised his set-piece rating to 91.
• Escribá moved Bellingham forward to support Tang Ye, while Pogba played as the lone defensive midfielder.
• Tang Ye assisted Haaland’s opener against Schalke, then scored Dortmund’s second through a combination with Haaland.
• Tang Ye set up Haaland for Dortmund’s third goal and reminded Pogba to track back as Escribá celebrated the team’s 3–0 lead.

Borussia Dortmund faced Juventus in the Champions League, where Cristiano Ronaldo and Tang Ye’s strained friendship went unaddressed. After Juventus scored first, Tang Ye assisted Haaland and scored himself to put Dortmund ahead 2:1 before halftime.

• Tang Ye admitted to Haaland that Juventus was weighing on him, while explaining that he and Cristiano Ronaldo barely spoke anymore.
• Borussia Dortmund fans taunted Cristiano Ronaldo, and Tang Ye and Ronaldo exchanged only a symbolic hug in the tunnel.
• Chiesa scored for Juventus on a counterattack after Ronaldo set up the ball for him.
• Tang Ye broke through Juventus’s midfield and assisted Haaland to equalize at 1:1.
• Hitz saved Ronaldo’s header, and Tang Ye scored from a zero angle after Bellingham’s square pass to give Borussia Dortmund a 2:1 lead.
• Tang Ye completed his Phase One task and told his teammates to protect the lead until halftime.