After a short halftime break, both teams returned to the field for the second half.
In the 50th minute, Casemiro connected with Gao Nuo again, and Gao Nuo, who successfully reached the byline, crossed the ball in front of the goal.
Unfortunately, Sancho, who arrived at the far post, didn't shoot directly, and after taking one touch, the ball was cleared out of bounds by the center-back.
In the 60th minute, Wout Weghorst came on as a substitute, replacing Gao Nuo, whose stamina was depleted.
In the following 30 minutes, Tottenham equalized with goals from Porro and Son Heung-min, defending their home ground with a 2-2 draw.
Manchester United's three points became one, ranking fourth in the Premier League standings.
On April 30, 2023, Manchester United hosted Aston Villa in the 34th round of the Premier League.
In this match, Aston Villa continued to use a defensive counter-attacking tactic, and neither side could break the deadlock in the first half.
Gao Nuo, who started, had little room to play, as Villa's tight defense prevented him from making runs.
So, at the start of the second half, Gao Nuo was substituted by Antony.
In the 72nd minute, Rashford's shot for Manchester United was saved by the goalkeeper, and Bruno Fernandes followed up to score on the rebound.
In the 85th minute, Manchester United's center-back, Lindelöf, made a goal-line clearance, ensuring the goal remained intact.
Ultimately, Manchester United, playing at home, defeated Aston Villa 1-0, leading Newcastle United by one point and ranking third in the standings.
Gao Nuo, who changed his playing style, returned to the rotation.
His 'mad dog' style of play compensated for Antony's lack of attacking impact, contributing significantly to Ten Hag's in-game tactical adjustments and the enrichment of the tactical system.
Under Ten Hag, there are no absolute starters.
If they play according to a set tactical plan, Antony will handle the positional play; if the situation can't be opened up, then Gao Nuo will be sent on, his large physique and high explosiveness easily disrupting the defense.
Antony unhappy? That's not happening.
Firstly, Ten Hag's iron-fisted approach is evident from the previous Cristiano Ronaldo incident; secondly, given the current atmosphere in the Manchester United dressing room, no one dares to cause trouble at this time; furthermore, Gao Nuo's serious attitude in training and matches, as well as his tough playing style, are deeply loved by his teammates.
Before the May matches began, Ten Hag uncharacteristically gave the players a day off, hoping everyone could maintain their form in the final month of the season, with only six Premier League matches remaining, as Champions League qualification was a goal the club could not afford to miss.
Early on his day off, Gao Nuo received a call from Zhao Dong, scheduling a foot mold fitting for Gao Nuo that afternoon.
So Gao Nuo discussed it with Wang Qing, and they decided to host a gathering that evening, inviting Li Qiang and Wen Na to their home.
Except for Gao Nuo, who ate his own nutritious meal and drank plain water, the other four, of course, enjoyed delicacies and fine wines.
After some pleasantries and a few rounds of drinks, the atmosphere became lively.
Zhao Dong was the first to get drunk: "Let me tell you, Gao Nuo scared me to death.
I signed a contract with him, and then he didn't play.
Luckily, the company is my own, so no one can say anything to me."
When this topic came up, Wen Na also poured out her grievances: "Tell me about it.
I almost had to end my foreign assignment then.
The editor-in-chief had given me a deadline; if Gao Nuo still couldn't play, I would have had to return home."
Gao Nuo didn't say anything, just listened to everyone chat with a smile.
Li Qiang remained sober, not forgetting his role as an "agent," and clinked glasses with Zhao Dong, asking, "Mr.
Zhao, when will Gao Nuo's series of sneakers be released?
Just tell me if you need my cooperation!"
Zhao Dong heartily finished his drink, and with a thick tongue, said, "Qiang Ge, don't call me Mr.
Zhao.
From now on, privately, you can just call me Xiao Dong.
You're too polite; it makes me feel uncomfortable.
Don't worry about the sneakers; as long as this kid Gao Nuo doesn't mess up, they'll definitely be a hit."
Hearing this somewhat muddled answer, Li Qiang knew the guy was indeed drunk, so he stopped talking about work.
"Qiang Ge, tell me about you and Gao Nuo.
How did it happen that you just flew here to be commanded by him?" Zhao Dong looked at Li Qiang curiously.
Li Qiang, hearing this, organized his words and said, "When he was a kid, this guy was quite introverted, always following me around every day."
Wang Qing's expression changed upon hearing this, clearly recalling something.
As a journalist, Wen Na was meticulous, and her keen professional intuition made her Can't help it ask, "Xiao Qing, tell me, I think Qiang Ge isn't telling the whole story!"
Wang Qing glanced at Gao Nuo and said, "That's right, if you want to know, ask him!"
Gao Nuo couldn't resist Wen Na's burning curiosity.
He glanced at the already sleeping Zhao Dong and began to tell Wen Na stories from his childhood.
"I was tall as a child, and when I was in elementary school, I was always mistaken for a middle schooler.
One summer holiday in 3rd grade, a group of middle school kids were playing basketball and insisted I join them.
The result, of course, was that I was thrashed all afternoon.
Then these kids started to bully me a bit.
Whenever they saw me playing soccer nearby, they'd call me over to pick up their balls, run errands to buy water, and so on.
At that time, Qiang Ge was in high school and occasionally played basketball there.
At first, he thought we were all classmates and didn't pay much attention, until one time, a kid threw my soccer ball into a tree.
I got angry and started fighting with the five of them.
Qiang Ge instinctively helped chase those kids away, and then when we talked, he realized I was 10 years old at the time.
That's how we met.
I followed him every day back then, and no one bullied me anymore."
At this point, Gao Nuo suddenly became serious, "Qing Qing and I were neighbors since childhood; we always walked home from school together.
The year I entered junior high, she was in high school, and a few punks thought I was her boyfriend and caused a lot of trouble.
One summer holiday in my first year of junior high, I was cornered by those punks at the soccer field.
They insulted Qing Qing, and I couldn't hold back and started fighting with them."
"If Qiang Ge hadn't rushed to save me, I might not be sitting here eating with you all," Gao Nuo said, raising his glass to Li Qiang, then continued, "He took a knife for me!"
"Ah?" Wen Na exclaimed, her eyes wide as she continued to ask, "What happened next?"
Wang Qing took over, saying, "Those punks got scared when they saw blood and all ran away.
Qiang Ge was covered in blood at the time, and no car dared to take them.
Xiao Nuo carried Qiang Ge and ran three kilometers before finding a hospital.
Later, the police arrested those punks, and they all got their sentences, but Qiang Ge was forced to take a year off school due to his injuries, and Xiao Nuo blamed himself for a very, very long time."
Wen Na looked at Li Qiang and then at Gao Nuo, and said with emotion, "I never thought you two had been through such things.
It's terrifying!
But that means you truly have a life-and-death friendship!
Saving each other, it's like a plot from a novel!"
Gao Nuo was about to say that he had implicated Li Qiang, but before the words left his mouth, Li Qiang interrupted him, "Haha, this kid Gao Nuo always feels like he owes me.
If he hadn't carried me to the hospital back then, I wouldn't be here.
Isn't that what brothers are for? There's no need for so much talk.
Oh, by the way, Reporter Wen, these things are secrets between us friends, so please don't report them."
Wen Na repeatedly promised to keep the secret.
Everyone chatted about lighter topics, and the dinner party ended successfully.
Gao Nuo's heart felt warm after seeing his friends off.
Li Qiang always protected him, no matter the situation, which further solidified the somewhat grand plan in his mind.