“Please calm down, host. The stable period is because your physical and technical attributes are currently balanced. Your potential still needs to be unearthed.”
“Hmm?” Gao Nuo tried to digest the system’s explanation and continued to ask, “So, my current physical fitness cannot support the growth of my skills?”
“Yes, the host is like a bucket full of water right now. To hold more water, you need a bigger bucket!”
Gao Nuo, who was almost scared to death by the system, didn't say a word. After washing up, he put on his clothes and went out for a 5-kilometer run. After returning home and having breakfast with Wang Qing, he headed to the club.
Recently, apart from some rumors, Gao Nuo hadn't appeared in media reports for a long time, seemingly forgotten. Only on the “Gao Nuo Overseas” forum were there still some loyal fans and Xiao Heizi arguing from time to time.
Moderator, Da Ai Gao Nuo: “Gao Nuo hasn't been able to play recently. It breaks my heart to see him sitting on the bench!”
Refund Brother: “Who says it isn't? I was ready to do a live broadcast at Manchester United, but Gao Nuo was benched.”
Football Baby Xixi: “I haven't seen any handsome photos of Gao Nuo recently. It's so boring, I need to find the next handsome guy.”
Xiao Heizi: “See, his true colors are showing, isn't it? He just performed a bit against a few weak teams, and now he's cooled off!”
Big Heizi: “The brother upstairs is right. He played a few good games and got an upgraded contract. Now he's gotten carried away, he must have made money and is just indulging in pleasure.”
Da Ai Gao Nuo: “Get lost, get lost! I'm already annoyed. You Heizi are just asking for trouble!”
Gao Nuo, who had been a bit down lately, didn't have too many thoughts. He remained enthusiastic about training and matches. After finishing a day's training, he voluntarily did extra physical training. In Gao Nuo's opinion, since he knew the problem, there was no need to overthink it; it was still one word: “Persevere.”
Gao Nuo, who was about to go home, was called by Ten Hag: “Gao, come to my office!”
In the office, Gao Nuo took the water cup handed to him by Ten Hag and waited quietly.
“Gao, I haven't given you playing time recently. What are your thoughts?”
Gao Nuo looked at Ten Hag and said firmly, “Boss, I haven't thought about anything. I'm waiting for an opportunity.”
Ten Hag looked into Gao Nuo's eyes and shook his head: “Kid, actually your training report is good, and your technical level has increased a lot, but if you continue like this, I still won't give you playing time.”
“Boss, I don't understand!” Gao Nuo said somewhat anxiously, “I'm going to strengthen my physical training, and my skills will also improve!”
Ten Hag was a bit surprised by this. This kid actually knew to adjust his training direction. After a moment of thought, he met Gao Nuo's gaze: “Listen, you're a smart kid. Since that's the case, I'd be happy to tell you more. Actually, your problem appeared as soon as you recovered from your injury. Originally, I hoped you could think more for yourself, and although it seems you haven't realized it yet, it's already good that you thought of strengthening your physical training.”
Taking a sip of water, Ten Hag continued: “Your obsession with technical training has affected your performance. I mean no offense, but the low training standards in your hometown have left a shadow on you. You try hard to improve your dribbling, eager to get past opponents, and I see all of this. However, you've forgotten your own advantage, which is also why I chose you in the first place.”
Gao Nuo was stunned: “Speed?”
Ten Hag nodded: “Exactly, speed, physicality, simple passing and running—these are far more threatening and bring more efficiency to the team than your current ball-carrying breakthroughs.”
Looking at the silent Gao Nuo, Ten Hag left first, heading home after work.
Gao Nuo thought for a while and then understood the key. The system's advice to him was to improve breakthrough efficiency, but after indulging in fancy moves, he seemed to have forgotten the simplest way to break through the defense. Thinking back, he was now trying to get past defenders in a flashy way, and it had been a long time since he had used the crude method of “burst dribbling.”
With a suddenly clear mind, Gao Nuo drove home, singing. After dinner, he kissed Wang Qing and then hummed a tune as he returned to his room to quickly start virtual training.
…………
Manchester United's schedule in April was even tighter. After losing 0:2 to Newcastle United in the Premier League, Wout Weghorst's poor finishing ability forced Ten Hag to make changes.
On April 5, 2023, after a month, Gao Nuo finally got a chance to play.
Playing at home, Manchester United defeated Brentford 1:0 with a goal from Rashford, returning to fourth place in the League standings.
Gao Nuo came on as a substitute in the 61st minute. Although he didn't register any statistics, his frantic running on the right flank put immense pressure on the opponent's defense.
On April 8, 2023, in the 30th round of the Premier League, Manchester United hosted Everton.
In the 78th minute of the match, Rashford was injured and Gao Nuo came on as a substitute. In just 20 minutes, he successfully broke through 4 times and created three dangerous attacks. Martial, who also came on as a substitute, clearly lacked chemistry with Gao Nuo, and neither of them scored. Manchester United ultimately ended the match with a 2:0 victory.
Gao Nuo did not play in the subsequent Europe League Cup quarter-final. Manchester United, leading 2:0, conceded two own goals in the final moments of the match, ultimately drawing 2:2 with La Liga's Sevilla, squandering a good opportunity.
Three days later, on April 16, 2023, in the 31st round of the Premier League, Manchester United challenged Nottingham Forest away. Gao Nuo got his 5th start of the season, forming a new attacking trio with Sancho and Martial.
In a live broadcast room on a domestic platform, commentator Zhan Jun was doing a pre-match analysis with fans: “Bad news from Manchester United, the absence of their top scorer Rashford adds a lot of uncertainty to the match. We see that Manchester United has made significant rotations for this match, and our Chinese youngster Gao Nuo has once again appeared in the starting lineup. If Manchester United wins, with one less match played, they will rise to third place in the League standings. The match is about to begin, let's look forward to Manchester United and Gao Nuo's performance tonight!”
“Beep—!” With the referee's whistle, the match officially began.
The dense schedule had a considerable impact on both sets of players. In the first half, both teams slowed down the pace until the 32nd minute of the match.
Harry Maguire, who scored an own goal in the last match, orchestrated an attack from the back, sending a long pass to Gao Nuo.
Gao Nuo, having “returned to the right path,” made no unnecessary movements. Facing full-back Renan Lodi, he executed a burst dribble. Lodi, out of position, desperately stuck out his leg and tripped Gao Nuo.
Before the referee could blow his whistle, Gao Nuo, as he fell, pushed up with both hands, tightened his core, and performed a forward roll. His 192cm height allowed this forward roll to cover nearly 4 meters. To the astonishment of the live audience, Gao Nuo caught up to the ball and surged into the penalty area.
Facing the central defender's challenge, Gao Nuo deftly nudged the ball towards the far post. This time, Martial didn't disappoint, sliding in to score at the goalmouth.