Coming on as a substitute and scoring a wonder goal, Gao Nuo's evaluation in the reports of various scouts increased significantly. They had no idea this was the system's doing, and they all raised Gao Nuo's stability rating to the highest.
In the 30 minutes against Tottenham, Gao Nuo showed clear improvement in both passing and positioning.
"System, I feel stronger. Let's check my attributes."
"Alright, host: Gao Nuo, 20 years old.
Height 192cm, Weight 90kg
Dribbling: 13
Passing: 13
Shooting: 14
Positioning: 14
Ball Control: 13
Strength: 14
Stamina: 14
Speed: 17
Explosiveness: 18
Willpower: 18
Comprehension: 13
Decision Making: 14
Concentration: 17
Cooperation: 11
Maximum attribute value is 20. Other attributes are currently hidden attributes.
Congratulations to the host for unlocking a new attribute, Cooperation. This attribute reflects the host's ability to coordinate with teammates to execute tactical tasks.
Friendly reminder, the host's attribute values are currently in an explosive growth period."
Gao Nuo waited for the system to continue, and the system waited for Gao Nuo to ask proactively. The air suddenly fell silent. After three seconds.
"Why don't you continue talking?"
"Why don't you ask proactively?"
"Speak quickly!"
"Goodbye, host!"
"I was wrong, System Big Brother, what is an attribute explosive growth period?"
"Tsk!"
"System Grandfather, what do I need to do during this explosive growth period?"
"Hmph hmph~ host, wait a few days. I'm upgrading and will have new functions. Goodbye!"
Gao Nuo was forcibly sent out of the virtual space by the system. It seemed the system had already started upgrading, and Gao Nuo couldn't help but feel a little anticipation.
Gao Nuo couldn't guess what the new functions would be, but he had some ideas about the attribute explosive growth period.
Just as the system had said before, there's a limit to a player's training. The level of skill isn't improved by endless training; it requires a large accumulation of match experience.
It's like the protagonists in cultivation novels who reach a bottleneck, then experience life-and-death struggles before breaking through to the next realm.
For Gao Nuo, an increase in attribute values doesn't represent an increase in ability. Only by utilizing his attributes in matches can he continue to unlock his potential.
After the baptism of national team matches, Gao Nuo indeed gained a lot. Unlike the happy 'pie-eating' at Manchester United, Gao Nuo in the national team did more to break through defenses and organize attacks.
Different role definitions gave Gao Nuo a different understanding of the game. The organizer's perspective allowed him to discover more routes for positioning, and he gained new insights into mastering the timing of passes.
A series of matches accelerated Gao Nuo's process of realizing his attribute values, commonly known as 'improving his game'.
There was still a week until the next match. Haaland had slightly recovered some form in this round, scoring a goal. In these few days when he couldn't use the system, Gao Nuo felt even more pressure and doubled his personal extra training time.
Gao Nuo's somewhat frantic training worried his teammates and the coaching staff. Erik ten Hag proactively showed concern for his beloved protégé.
"Gao, take a break, let's talk."
Gao Nuo kicked the ball into the goal and jogged to the sidelines, "Boss, what's wrong?"
Erik ten Hag handed him an energy drink, "Your training volume has been a bit high lately. The team doctor has already warned me. You need to rest."
Gao Nuo took the water bottle, took two sips, and said nonchalantly, "I think my physical condition is very good, I can handle it."
Erik ten Hag frowned and said in a serious tone, "Your physical data is already close to the critical value. There's a high possibility of injury now. I need you to give me a reason for taking such a risk."
Gao Nuo could only tell the truth, "Boss, I want the League Golden Boot."
Erik ten Hag laughed at this answer, "Stop training, go home and rest. Health is the most important guarantee for you to score goals."
Gao Nuo obediently packed up and went home to rest. He couldn't train in reality, and the system was upgrading. A bored Gao Nuo exhausted Wang Qing.
On February 24, 2024, in the 27th round of the Premier League, Manchester United played away against Arsenal.
Before the match began, Gao Nuo tried to communicate with the system again, but there was no response. Clearly, the system was still upgrading.
Disregarding the Champions League match three days later, Arsenal fielded all their main players, clearly still bothered by the crushing defeat in the first round of the League, and aiming to overturn Manchester United at home.
Gao Nuo returned to the starting lineup. Neymar was still injured. Manchester United rotated most of their main players to conserve energy for the upcoming Champions League.
In the 2nd minute of the match, Manchester United had just kicked off. Alexis Saelemaekers broke through down the right flank but was tackled by Tierney. After losing the ball, Saelemaekers quickly pressed tightly, preventing Tierney from passing the ball. After a struggle, Saelemaekers successfully won the ball back and lofted it into the penalty area.
Gao Nuo had just gone to block Tierney's passing lane and was now on the right side of the big penalty area. Facing the incoming cross, he leaped high. Saliba was not to be outdone and also jumped vigorously to contest, but the ball was too high. Both big men over 190cm missed the header. Bruno Fernandes, at the edge of the penalty area, successfully pounced on the loose ball and passed it to the left side.
Garnacho was secretly lurking in the penalty area. At this time, all the defenders were blocking Bruno's shooting lane. Garnacho, who received the pass, had an empty space in front of him and scored with a delicate poke.
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Manchester United got off to a dream start, leading Arsenal 1:0.
Falling behind early further stimulated Arsenal's nerves, and they launched wave after wave of attacks cheered on by the home fans.
In the 16th minute of the match, Arsenal took a corner, and Saliba's header was denied by Nübel.
In the 22nd minute of the match, Casemiro was roughly fouled by Thomas, but the Referee did not signal. Arsenal launched a counter-attack. Smith-Rowe bypassed Wan-Bissaka on the left wing, passed the ball back diagonally to the center, and Martin Ødegaard's follow-up shot hit the post and went out for a goal kick.
In the 35th minute of the match, Casemiro and Thomas clashed in midfield. Thomas, slightly weaker physically, fell first, then swept his leg to trip Casemiro. An enraged Casemiro then deliberately stomped on Thomas's thigh.
Lokonga was the first to rush over, but was held back by Renato Sanches. Fortunately, Bruno restrained an eager Gao Nuo, and the players from both sides were quickly separated.
Thomas, for his excessive action, was shown a yellow card. Casemiro, for his retaliatory action, was sent off with a red card. Bruno dropped back to the defensive midfield position, and Manchester United's formation on the field contracted, continuing to play with 10 men.
Bad news continued for Manchester United.
In the 42nd minute of the match, Manchester United took a corner. Gao Nuo fell in a challenge inside the penalty area. After getting up, he limped, tried a few steps, then lay on the ground, clutching his inner thigh. The Referee signaled for the team doctor to come on. After an examination, Gao Nuo left the field supported by the team doctor to receive treatment.
Manchester United, with only 9 men on the field, held on for the last few minutes of the first half, maintaining their 1:0 lead until halftime.