Although Gao Nuo's performance in training and matches left a good impression on the coaching staff, he was not promoted to the first team when the new season began.
As the training camp ended, Gao Nuo returned to the U21 squad for training and matches.
The U21 squad trained three times a day with high intensity, usually playing one U21 level match per week, which was perfect for Gao Nuo's development.
After all, for Gao Nuo, who hadn't received professional training in his youth, time was what he needed most at the moment.
In early August, Cristiano Ronaldo returned to the team.
Although Gao Nuo's idol was Neymar, who could resist a superstar like Cristiano Ronaldo?
Gao Nuo couldn't help but eagerly ask for autographs and photos.
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On August 6, 2022, Manchester United began its Premier League journey for the new season.
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Manchester United Football Club was very active in the summer transfer market:
They signed Eriksen from Brentford on a free transfer.
They brought in left-back Malacia from Feyenoord for a transfer fee of 15 million Euros.
They signed midfielder Casemiro from Real Madrid for a transfer fee of 70.65 million Euros.
They acquired center-back Lisandro Martínez and right-winger Antony from Ajax for transfer fees of 57.40 million Euros and 95 million Euros, respectively.
After an opening two-game losing streak, Manchester United gradually found its footing and joined the race for the top four, thanks to improved team cohesion and a series of new signings.
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...
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Time flew by.
December 21, 2022.
Over the past four and a half months, in the U21 League and the Papa John's Trophy, Gao Nuo made 22 appearances, starting 13 times and coming on as a substitute 9 times, scoring 8 goals and providing 9 assists.
During this period, two major events happened in the football world: Cristiano Ronaldo gave an interview to Morgan and then left the team, and Messi led Argentina to win the World Cup.
Only these two events caught the attention of Gao Nuo, who was immersed in training and matches every day.
...
With the help of the system, four and a half months of training and matches, equivalent to double the effort of others, significantly improved Gao Nuo's current attributes.
Gao Nuo, 19 years old.
Height: 192cm, Weight: 90kg
Ball Control: 12
Passing: 10
Shooting: 10
Positioning: 12
First Touch: 11
Strength: 13
Stamina: 11
Speed: 15
Explosiveness: 16
Willpower: 18
Comprehension: 13
Decision Making: 11
Concentration: 17
The maximum value for attributes is 20, and other attributes are currently hidden.
System evaluation: You could call yourself a little prodigy.
Among them, "Decision Making (choices when handling the ball)" and "Concentration (level of focus during a match, allowing for quicker reactions)" were two new attributes that Gao Nuo unlocked after winning an expert-level friendly match instance and obtaining a player experience card for German star Klose.
Gao Nuo, who had realized his talent, began to perform exceptionally well in the U21 squad.
In four matches in November, he scored 5 goals and contributed 2 assists, finally earning a chance to play for the first team.
England League Cup Round of 16, Manchester United vs.
Burnley.
Having just celebrated his birthday, 19-year-old Gao Nuo was promoted to the first team for the first time.
(PS: This is now an alternate universe, so please just enjoy it.)
Due to the impact of the World Cup, with many Manchester United players injured or suspended, manager Ten Hag's squad selection was not abundant.
In the 65th minute of the match, Gao Nuo came on as a substitute for Antony, who had been in average form recently, playing as a right-winger.
The current score was 2-0 to Manchester United.
In the 67th minute, midfielder Eriksen made an interception and spotted Gao Nuo making a high-speed run down the right flank.
With an outside-of-the-foot through ball, the football arced, splitting two opposing defenders, and found Gao Nuo precisely.
Gao Nuo took a touch, carried the ball forward, and burst into the opponent's penalty area at high speed.
The opposing goalkeeper rushed out.
Gao Nuo laid the ball off horizontally to the center, and Martial, who had arrived just in time, calmly slotted the ball into the net.
Manchester United led Burnley 3-0.
Gao Nuo, who had just come on two minutes earlier, completed an assist.
Ten Hag applauded in celebration from the sidelines.
The fans cheered enthusiastically.
After scoring, Martial ran towards Gao Nuo and hugged him, and his teammates all rushed over to ruffle Gao Nuo's hair.
The match continued, with Burnley, no longer interested in fighting, tightening their defense.
In the 75th minute, Manchester United, pressing Burnley, got another chance.
Rashford dribbled down the left byline, cut inside, and bypassed two defenders with consecutive changes of direction.
He played a cut-back pass to Fred, who was making a run into the center.
The unpredictable Fred unleashed a powerful shot from the edge of the penalty area, but the ball struck the crossbar and flew into the stands.
In the 88th minute, Eriksen quickly took a free-kick from midfield and found Gao Nuo.
Gao Nuo held off the opposing full-back and dribbled towards the byline.
At 20 meters from the byline, he stopped abruptly, evaded the defender, and cut inside with the ball.
Facing the covering center-back, Gao Nuo continuously pushed the ball to his left with his left foot, creating space for a shot.
Before the opposing center-back could close him down, he took a shot, and the ball flew towards the bottom left corner of the goal.
The diving goalkeeper, twisting his body, couldn't reach the ball, and it went in!
Manchester United led Burnley 4-0.
Gao Nuo sprinted towards the corner flag for an emotional knee slide, then stood up and embraced his arriving teammates.
Manchester United fans erupted, with cheers echoing non-stop.
Ten Hag nodded repeatedly, very satisfied.
In the 92nd minute, Manchester United played a series of short passes in the attacking third.
Bruno Fernandes played a 45-degree cross from the right side of the pitch to the far post.
Luke Shaw won the header, knocking the ball back towards the center.
Rashford collided with the opposing goalkeeper, and the ball fell to the right side of the goal.
Gao Nuo, in the scramble, put the ball into the net.
However, the referee's whistle blew; Rashford had fouled the goalkeeper, and the goal was disallowed.
The full-time whistle blew.
After the match, the cameras focused on Gao Nuo, who had almost scored a brace.
Manchester United fans cheered and applauded, full of curiosity about this young Asian player who had made such an impressive debut.
Manager Ten Hag and vice-captain Bruno Fernandes attended the post-match press conference.
When answering a reporter's question, Ten Hag mentioned Gao Nuo: "Gao joined the team just this summer.
Regarding his performance today, I cannot say he is a genius player.
I only know that his attitude towards training is very serious, and he deserves for us to give him a chance to play for the first team."
When asked for his opinion on Gao Nuo, Bruno Fernandes said: "Gao's performance today exceeded my expectations.
This was his first professional match for the first team, and I didn't see any nervousness in him.
He seemed like he was born to play.
Perhaps it's because Gao is a Chinese person who knows kung fu."
Evidently, the mysterious East led many at Manchester United to believe that Gao Nuo knew Chinese kung fu, even though it was just a joke Gao Nuo had made.
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