Liverpool, in resurgent form, went on a winning streak and, with one more game played, temporarily sat in fifth place in the League standings, one point behind Manchester United.
As for Manchester United, after losing to Bournemouth, unless Liverpool fails to win their final match, they still need to secure three more points to maintain a top-four position and qualify for the Champions League.
On May 25, 2023, Manchester United hosted Chelsea in a rescheduled Premier League matchday 32 fixture.
Chelsea, who had experienced too many turbulences this season, changed owners at the beginning of the season. The new owner, apart from desperately buying players and constantly changing head coaches, did not make any correct decisions for Chelsea. The team's total market value is 1.02 billion euros, ranking second in the world only after Manchester City. However, with such a luxurious squad, they are currently ranked 10th in the Premier League standings and have already been confirmed to miss out on continental competitions.
Facing a Chelsea team with an extremely poor dressing room atmosphere and no fighting spirit, Manchester United, under pressure, once again showed instability.
The match ended in a goalless draw, and throughout the game, although Chelsea remained in a slump, Manchester United performed even worse than Chelsea, as if they were the team ranked 10th.
Throughout the match, Manchester United's crossing quality was extremely low, and they couldn't penetrate the middle. Apart from a few long-range shots, they created almost no threat.
Gao Nuo started the match, repeatedly bursting down the wing, working like a dog, but the team just couldn't score. Manchester United's lack of attacking prowess was clearly exposed when facing a three-at-the-back defense. Neither Martial nor Wout Weghorst, one lacking physicality and the other lacking technique, could effectively play as a pivot. The passes from Rashford and Gao Nuo on the wings were also mediocre, far less threatening than cutting inside with the ball. As long as the cutting-inside routes were blocked, Manchester United's attack became toothless.
If not for Chelsea's own numerous problems, Manchester United would likely have been thoroughly beaten again.
From Matchday 33 to Matchday 37, Manchester United consistently failed to seize opportunities. They now lead Liverpool by 2 points, dragging the top-four race suspense all the way to the final round.
No one at Manchester United Football Club was still concerned about what the media said; the final Premier League match in three days could truly be called a life-or-death battle.
The next day, after recovery training, Erik ten Hag gathered everyone for a player meeting.
Erik ten Hag delivered a passionate speech:
"We've done well this season. We won the League Cup, and I'm proud of you. Despite injuries and an unfriendly schedule, we've kept moving forward. We've had our slumps, but each time we've bounced back completely. We've wasted many chances, but now, we need a win; we need to keep going, right now. I want you to do better; I want you to play to your worth.
It's the last game of the season. I know you're tired—injuries, fatigue, pressure, whatever the problem, if you can't go on, tell me. We need to stick together, trust our teammates. We've learned enough lessons this season. Don't lose your fighting spirit, don't play as individuals.
Guys, we're not just winning the game and securing Champions League qualification; we need to earn respect through this match. We need to win this game at Old Trafford; we need to defend the honor of Manchester United."
The impassioned speech boosted Manchester United's morale, and everyone was exceptionally serious during the final two days of training.
Gao Nuo's mood had been a bit heavy these past few days. Unlike his teammates, he still had a system mission to complete.
Mission Objective: "Qualify for the Champions League"
Mission Reward: "Complete European Training System"
Mission Penalty: "Erase all virtual coaches"
The penalty for this mission was not severe; Gao Nuo could accept it. However, after learning about the mission reward from the system, Gao Nuo absolutely could not afford to fail the mission.
The main missions issued by the system were indeed rare, but each reward was incredibly amazing: virtual space, virtual stadium, virtual football stars. This time, the European Training System was even beyond Gao Nuo's imagination.
This reward not only included mainstream European youth training systems but also professional club training systems, from young player recruitment to professional club training, from athlete diets to sports science experiments, from pain relief sprays to hyperbaric chambers, and so on and so forth.
In summary, the system's reward was so comprehensive that the author's meager football knowledge simply couldn't elaborate further. In other words, if Gao Nuo were to replicate the European Training System rewarded by the system into reality, it would mean he could establish a complete football training system himself. Faced with such a huge temptation, Gao Nuo felt immense pressure for the first time.
The night before the match, Gao Nuo made a final effort in the virtual space, practicing passing for five consecutive hours. Gao Nuo was exhausted, lying on the grass, staring blankly at the starry sky. Neymar's figure appeared before Gao Nuo, just like the initial virtual Drogba's guidance at a critical moment. Virtual Neymar also began to converse with Gao Nuo for the first time at this crucial moment. After all, the system's products had never disappointed Gao Nuo.
"Kid, why haven't you come to play with me lately?"
"Mr. Neymar, you're my idol. I really want to play with you, but I have a very important match coming up soon, and I want to improve myself as much as possible before then."
"How important? A Champions League Final? Or a World Cup match?"
"No, it's the last League match, and it's about Champions League qualification."
"Judging by your age, you should have played a few seasons already. Are you still this nervous?"
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Hearing this, Gao Nuo blushed a little. "No, this is my first professional season."
"Haha, sorry. Although I don't know why, with your skill, you're only starting professionally now. But I do think you're too green." Virtual Neymar always had a smile on his face. Looking at Gao Nuo lying on the ground, he also sat down and lay down, "Kid, why do you play football? Money? Fame? Honor?"
Gao Nuo replied without hesitation: "I love football, I enjoy the joy of playing."
Virtual Neymar continued to ask: "That's a great answer. Are you afraid of losing?"
"I wasn't before, but this time I'm a little scared," Gao Nuo hesitated, "I have a reason not to lose this match."
Virtual Neymar was silent for a moment after hearing this reply, then continued: "Actually, everyone's goals are different. Some people hope to change their living conditions through playing football, some play for fame, and some strive for honor. As for me, it's for joy. I also crave victory; every athlete craves victory. But competitive sports will always have winners and losers. What I enjoy is the process of striving with all my might to win, not the result."
Looking at the thoughtful Gao Nuo, Virtual Neymar continued: "You know Pelé, the King of Football, right? He once told me: 'As athletes, our greatest responsibility is to inspire. To inspire our professional teammates around us, and the next generation, and most importantly, to inspire everyone who loves this sport.' This is very important to me, and today I pass these words on to you too."
After Virtual Neymar finished speaking, he got up and disappeared. Gao Nuo continued to lie there, trying to digest this sudden conversation.