"System, isn't this mission a bit too much?"
"host, without pressure, there's no motivation. Look at your training cards; aren't they so numerous you don't know what to do with them? Also, stop practicing your core muscles at every opportunity. Please cherish your time."
"Hmm? System, something's not right. What do you mean by practicing core muscles?"
"It's about doing what you humans do for procreation. It's a euphemistic way of expressing it."
Listening to the System's serious explanation, Gao Nuo was stunned, his voice trembling.
"You spied on me?"
"host? Is your memory that bad? I told you I'm for data processing; I can't see images. I only draw conclusions from your body data!"
"That's still not right! Tell me, how can I turn you off?"
"You croak, and I'll turn off!"
"Is there a System like you?"
"A System like me is perfectly normal!"
"You..."
The System's voice remained mechanical, yet it gradually showed emotion during its conversation with Gao Nuo. Gao Nuo didn't think much of it, assuming it was an upgrade due to his improving abilities and the System collecting more data. After all, with the System's consistent power, nothing was impossible.
After a rare, half-day argument with the System, Gao Nuo began to ponder how to complete the new mission.
In the Premier League, there was Haaland, who had just won the Golden Boot with a record-breaking performance last season; Harry Kane, who had been rumored to join Manchester United for a long time; Salah, still sharp in attack; Bukayo Saka, rapidly growing; his teammate Rashford; and even the forwards of Chelsea, the 'broken bus'—who knows who might explode.
Clearly, many world-class forwards were eyeing the Golden Boot, and a conservative estimate suggested at least 30 goals would be needed to achieve the goal.
Goals couldn't be achieved by imagination alone. Gao Nuo forcibly stopped his worrying. Since Wang Qing wasn't around anyway, after dinner, Gao Nuo immediately started his System training, increasing the training time to 12 hours, with the goal: shooting.
Currently, Gao Nuo trained with the club for 3 hours, did personal extra training for 2 hours, and had System virtual training for 12 hours. Excluding time for travel, eating, showering, and using the restroom, he had virtually no leisure activities.
Even so, there was simply no time for Gao Nuo to improve his shooting. The new season had begun.
On August 11, 2023, Manchester United Football Club officially kicked off the new Premier League season.
In the first round, Manchester United hosted last year's runner-up, Arsenal, at Old Trafford.
After failing to maintain their lead at the end of last season and regrettably finishing as runners-up, Arsenal had not made many personnel adjustments, only acquiring Croatian center-back Josip Sutalo from Dinamo Zagreb for 25 million euros.
In the pre-match information, Arsenal's left-winger Martinelli was injured in training and unfortunately missed the match.
As the warm-ups concluded and both teams entered the field, the director displayed the starting lineups for both teams.
Manchester United's formation: 4-2-3-1
Goalkeeper: De Gea,
Defenders: Luke Shaw, Pau Torres, Varane, Dalot,
Midfielders: Rice, Casemiro, Bruno Fernandes,
Forwards: Rashford, Gao Nuo, Neymar.
Arsenal's formation: 4-2-3-1
Goalkeeper: Ramsdale,
Defenders: Kieran Tierney, Gabriel, William Saliba, Takehiro Tomiyasu,
Midfielders: Thomas Partey, Jorginho, Martin Odegaard,
Forwards: Leandro Trossard, Gabriel Jesus, Bukayo Saka.
In a live broadcast room on a certain platform in China, the familiar Zhan Jun, the familiar Zhang, and the familiar fans and anti-fans gathered together.
Before the match, upon hearing that Gao Nuo was starting, there had been much discussion about whether Neymar or Rashford would play as center forward. After the director released the starting lineup, both the commentators and the audience were stunned, never expecting Gao Nuo to appear directly in the center.
Gao Nuo's characteristic as a fast winger had deeply impressed fans, while a center forward was more like a surprise player. No one expected Ten Hag to field such an unconventional lineup in the first match of the new season.
Arsenal, however, was not surprised. Compared to Chinese fans who hadn't watched many pre-season warm-up matches, Arsenal had already collected data on Gao Nuo's performance as a center forward. There was nothing particularly outstanding; he seemed much less threatening than when he played on the right wing.
Before the barrage of comments could discuss much, Manchester United on the live screen had already kicked off, and the match began.
The home fans at the stadium erupted in huge cheers for the three new players making their first appearance for the team. Banners welcoming the new signings were everywhere, and the club had even prepared cardboard cutouts of Neymar, Rice, and Torres for fans to use. Manchester United fans were incredibly passionate, and the home atmosphere was electric. Welcome to Old Trafford.
In the 14th minute of the match, Neymar, dribbling down the wing, was dispossessed by Jorginho. Arsenal's midfield exchanged passes, with Odegaard shifting the ball to the left wing. Tierney received the ball and broke into the penalty area, where he was brought down by Manchester United's right-back Dalot. Arsenal players raised their hands, signaling a penalty. The Referee stopped the play to check with VAR. After a brief discussion, Manchester United escaped a penalty, and Arsenal was awarded a free-kick on the edge of the box. Odegaard took the shot directly, sending it over the crossbar.
In the 22nd minute of the match, Manchester United won a corner on the left. Bruno Fernandes curled it into the box, and Saliba headed it clear. Rashford won the second ball and laid it off to Neymar at the edge of the box. Neymar played a one-touch pass, laying it back to Rice behind him. The ball wasn't fast, and Rice ran two steps towards it before striking a half-volley. From over 30 meters out, the ball arced beautifully, hitting the underside of the crossbar and deflecting into the net, to Ramsdale's disbelief.
The home fans erupted in ecstasy. Neymar assisted, and Rice scored an amazing world-class goal. Manchester United's two new signings combined to contribute the team's first goal of the season.
In the 28th minute of the match, Neymar took a free-kick, striking the ball which hit the wall and bounced high. Gao Nuo out-jumped Gabriel to head the ball, but Ramsdale easily collected it.
In the 37th minute of the match, Arsenal launched a counter-attack. Bukayo Saka dribbled past several players on the right wing, cut inside towards the edge of the box, and took a direct left-footed shot, which Varane blocked with a diving effort, sending it out for a corner. Gabriel Jesus, who was open in front of goal, threw his hands up in frustration, showing his displeasure at Bukayo Saka not passing.
In the 44th minute of the match, Manchester United's pressing in the midfield paid off. Neymar won possession and launched a quick counter-attack down the right wing, unimpeded. Two simple changes of direction took him into the box, and his shot was deflected off Saliba's leg. Ramsdale, facing the deflection, had no time to react, and the ball found the back of the net.
Neymar, playing his first match for Manchester United and scoring his first Premier League goal, treated the wildly celebrating Manchester United fans to a samba dance.
Manchester United performed excellently in the first half, taking a 2-0 lead into halftime at home.