The next day, several English media outlets published reports.
Daily Report: "In the England League Cup Round of 16, the substitute Chinese youngster Gao Nuo, with one goal and one assist, completed an astonishing debut…"
Three Days Two Reports: "Ten Hag calls Manchester United's new talent Gao Nuo a genius, set to secure a starting position…"
Truth-Seeking Report: "Manchester United's new talent Gao Nuo, whether he can continue such an amazing performance is questionable; pundit Carragher warns fans that Chinese players are often a flash in the pan…"
Gao Nuo, who had been in hot form recently, finally made waves in Chinese football.
A Football Weekly article titled "Chinese Youngster Gao Nuo Plays for Manchester United, Performs Excellently" detailed Gao Nuo's journey to Manchester United and his recent hot form in matches.
Chinese fans' attention to Gao Nuo grew daily. Heated discussions took place in the newly established "Gao Nuo Abroad" forum:
Da Ai Gao Nuo: "Gao Nuo is truly amazing, the future hope of the National Football Team."
I Find Foreign Players for the National Football Team: "I've watched videos of Gao Nuo's U21 matches, his performance was just average."
Refund Brother: "The person above must have seen the beginning of the season; Gao Nuo's performance has been explosive in the recent few matches."
Twenty-Year Veteran Fan: "How many of those who went abroad in recent years have made it? Aren't you a bit too optimistic?"
National Football Team Hater for Life: "Exactly, exactly, who doesn't have a good meal during the New Year? He played one match, why are you all hyping him up?"
Football Baby Every Day: "Gao Nuo is so handsome, I want to have his babies."
Only Love Messi: "Gao Nuo is only 19 years old; older sister above, please leave the child alone, come at me."
Cristiano Ronaldo Invincible: "Idiot fan above, Cristiano Ronaldo is the best in the world."
Only Love Messi: "Ronaldo fans, go cool off somewhere; no one wants Cristiano Ronaldo anymore, Messi is the eternal god."
Cristiano Ronaldo Invincible: "You $*\u0026\u0026》～Oh*!\u0026."
Only Love Messi: "You are %\u0026##$G\u0026**%!".
…
Gao Nuo, recognized from multiple sides, also received a new mission from the system: "Start a match for Manchester United before the winter transfer window opens."
"Mission Reward: Two Intermediate Virtual Coach Cards. 50 Training Cards, 10 Stamina Potions."
"Mission Failure: Virtual Space disabled for one month."
Gao Nuo frowned after receiving the system notification. There were only 10 days left until the winter window, but Manchester United had two matches next week. He didn't know if this would be his chance, and Gao Nuo could only let nature take its course.
…
A week passed. On December 27, 2022, in the 17th round of the Premier League, Manchester United hosted Nottingham Forest at Old Trafford.
For Manchester United, Martial was injured, Sancho was temporarily away due to psychological issues, and Lisandro Martínez was rested.
Manchester United's starting lineup announced before the match was:
Formation: 4-2-3-1
Goalkeeper: De Gea
Defense: Malacia, Luke Shaw, Varane, Wan-Bissaka
Midfield: Eriksen, Casemiro, Bruno Fernandes
Attack: Garnacho, Rashford, Antony
…
As the match began, Gao Nuo sat on the bench, intently watching the game.
It wasn't until the 50th minute of the second half that assistant coach Mike Allen called Gao Nuo, Fred, Elanga, and McTominay to warm up.
In the 67th minute of the match, Gao Nuo came on as a substitute for Antony, and Fred also came on, replacing Eriksen.
At this point, Manchester United was leading Nottingham Forest 2-0 through goals from Rashford and Bruno Fernandes.
In the 70th minute of the match, Gao Nuo, who had just come on, used his physical advantage to simply and brutally overpower Nottingham Forest's left-back Lodi, dribbling 30 meters.
Gao Nuo's shot, after bursting into the box, was tipped over the byline by the goalkeeper, earning Manchester United a left-sided corner kick.
Over the next 15 minutes, Manchester United primarily attacked down the wings.
Elanga and Gao Nuo, who came on as substitutes in the 72nd minute, frequently broke through the defense and delivered crosses from both the left and right flanks.
Manchester United bombarded Nottingham Forest's penalty area, but luck was not on their side, and they failed to score.
In the 85th minute of the match, Casemiro, after making a tackle in his own half, initiated a counter-attack.
Casemiro advanced forward while observing his teammates' positions, then suddenly delivered a through ball from the center circle. The football, like a surgeon's scalpel, sliced through Nottingham Forest's defense, rolling rapidly towards the penalty area, accurately finding Gao Nuo making a diagonal run on the right wing.
Casemiro's exceptionally high-quality pass gave Gao Nuo ample lead time, allowing him to perfectly utilize his speed advantage.
Gao Nuo caught up to the ball without needing to stop it, taking it in stride, and once again found himself one-on-one.
Facing the onrushing goalkeeper, Gao Nuo feigned a shot with his left foot, then pulled the ball to his right, switched his standing foot, and pushed it into the bottom right corner of the goal with his right foot.
The goalkeeper was fooled by Gao Nuo's feint and moved towards the left side of the goal. By the time he reacted, it was too late to make a save.
Everything happened in a flash of lightning. The ball went in, and the goalkeeper lay on the ground, helplessly pounding the turf with both hands.
After scoring, Gao Nuo ran towards the stands, arms outstretched, enjoying the roar of the fans, "Roar—!"
Casemiro ran up from behind, wrapping his arms around Gao Nuo's legs and lifting him up. The others gathered around them, shouting along with the fans in the stands.
After celebrating, Casemiro put his arm around Gao Nuo and whispered as they walked back, "Kid, you were so fast just now."
"Thank you for the pass, I didn't even need to adjust, it was so comfortable."
"Haha, from now on I'll pay more attention to your position. I love this simple and direct style of play the most."
"Of course, no problem."
Gao Nuo happily accepted Casemiro's kind offer.
In the final few minutes of the match, both sides slowed down the tempo. Ultimately, host Manchester United defeated Nottingham Forest 3-0, and the team temporarily ranked 5th in the League table, one point behind.
After the match, Ten Hag explicitly rejected media requests to interview Gao Nuo, publicly stating that he did not want his young players to be exposed to the media too early.
Gao Nuo scored in two consecutive matches, and domestic fans were ecstatic, just as Zhan Jun, who commentated on the Manchester United match, said after Gao Nuo's goal: "Young in age, but with the demeanor of a general."
Football Weekly even published a stunning report: "Gao Nuo Scores in Consecutive Matches, a Rising Chinese Star, Can He Carry the Banner of Chinese Football in the Future?"
The Chinese Football Association increased its attention to Gao Nuo, and Luneng Football School internally reprimanded Gao Nuo's former head coach, regretting letting go of such a potential young star.
Only Gao Nuo himself knew that without the system, he would not have had the opportunity to continue playing football.
Without the system's help, he would not have grown so rapidly.
…
