"Just because he's strong, does that mean we stop trying?" Szoboszlai said earnestly. "It's precisely because he's a mountain that we have to find every possible way to climb over it."
Hearing this, Haaland regained his composure.
He made up his mind.
He would not become Ling's teammate.
He would become his rival.
Staying on the same team would mean being overshadowed forever.
Better to seek his own opportunity elsewhere.
Perhaps one day, he would truly have a chance to conquer that mountain.
Ling had no idea he had become a mountain in the minds of young players.
He was busy celebrating the goal with the Manchester United fans who had traveled so far to support the team.
"Boss, a few of Salzburg's young players look promising. I think we should keep a close eye on them."
Faria could not resist picking up his metaphorical little shovel.
"Don't always focus on their young players. I think this tactical approach is worth learning from, because our forward line is stronger than theirs."
Mourinho stroked his chin.
He had been feeling somewhat powerless lately, perhaps because his tactics had been thoroughly studied.
Just like Conte's three-centre-back system before.
Manchester United's three defensive midfielders did provide solid defense, but they also caused insufficient attacking progression.
It would not be a problem if they had a world-class attacking midfielder.
But Manchester United did not have one.
"Convert numerical superiority into spatial advantage, then forcibly establish connections between midfield and attack."
Mourinho thought this idea was feasible.
So in the following minutes, he carefully observed Salzburg's tactics.
The camera returned to the pitch.
When Ling received the ball on the wing again, Salzburg could not hold their shape.
Their defensive line had to shift.
Otherwise, they would be completely breached.
The next second, Ling immediately switched play with a half-high lobbed pass.
Looking for Bruno.
Recently, Bruno Fernandes' habit of throwing his hands up and sighing had been completely corrected by Ling's coaching.
Although Bruno explained that it was a way to give instructions to teammates, Ling's response had been simple.
You do not need to give instructions.
It took 23 days to form a good habit.
Bruno had not only stopped throwing his hands up, he had also learned how to encourage teammates.
"Great ball!" Bruno shouted loudly, afraid Ling would not hear.
After receiving the ball, he faced relatively open space in the central area.
He combined with the advancing Ander Herrera in a quick wall pass, then sprinted forward to receive the return.
Salzburg's defense was being torn apart repeatedly.
Like a sapling in a storm, it was not far from being blown over.
"Pass!"
Ling spotted the opportunity and made a diagonal run into the box, creating an excellent gap.
Bruno did not want to pass, but he did not dare not to pass.
There was no other choice.
At Manchester United, Ling had the highest tactical status. Everyone had to yield to him.
The thought vanished in an instant.
Thump!
The ball rolled toward that area.
Ling suddenly cut back and stopped abruptly, shaking off the chasing defender.
Immediately after, Cican Stanković predicted that Ling would shoot toward the far post, so he moved left early.
But Ling aimed far and shot near.
"Beautiful! Beautiful!"
"Classic striker's deception — showing the far corner and finishing at the near post!"
"That is the ability of a top forward."
Whoosh!
The traveling Manchester United fans erupted in loud cheers.
A brace before halftime.
Was there a chance for another hat-trick?
Not only the fans thought so.
Ling felt the desire too.
As the saying went, a soldier who did not want to become a general was not a good soldier, and a striker who did not want to score was not a good striker.
His desire for goals was the same as Mourinho's desire for victory.
Not far away, Haaland sighed again.
If the first goal showed individual ability, then this one showed football intelligence.
Move wide to pull the defense apart.
Run into the created space.
Finish calmly.
Haaland felt he might be developing a mental block.
Szoboszlai quickly said, "If you could reach his level, you'd win the Ballon d'Or."
Haaland thought about it.
That did seem about right.
...
Before halftime, Manchester United led by two goals and began to play steadily.
United slowed the tempo.
Salzburg seized the opportunity to attack, showing their dark-horse qualities.
"This kid is built like a beast. I think he can match up with Ling physically."
Maguire rubbed his shoulder.
During this period of observation, Haaland, though not the most aesthetically pleasing player, was certainly not lacking in strength.
Otherwise, he would not have caught Borussia Dortmund's attention.
Even Maguire felt immense pressure.
If not for Thiago Silva's timely defensive support, United might have conceded.
Salzburg's momentum directly caused Manchester United's attacking intensity to decrease.
Considering the upcoming league match and England's Euro qualifying fixtures in a few days, Mourinho opted for a more conservative strategy to secure the win.
Salzburg attempted to push their entire team forward.
However, Ling stood in the backfield like a nail hammered into their most vulnerable spot.
Every time they attacked, they had to leave enough defenders behind to mark him.
When the 90-minute match concluded, no goals were scored during stoppage time.
Manchester United defeated Red Bull Salzburg 2–0 away from home.
Jeremy Ling scored both goals!
"Congratulations to Manchester United for winning another Champions League group-stage match, and congratulations to Ling for scoring twice!"
📰 Sky Sports: Ling Brace Gives Manchester United Away Win Over Red Bull Salzburg
📰 BBC Sport: United Stay Perfect in Champions League Group Stage
📰 The Athletic: Salzburg's Press Impresses, But Ling's Quality Decides the Match
📰 Manchester Evening News: Mourinho Studies Salzburg System as United Secure Controlled Victory
📰 Kicker: Haaland Sees the Mountain as Ling Leads United Past Salzburg
📱 @UnitedStand ✔
Ling scored twice, humbled Salzburg's press, and still had time to mentally traumatize Haaland. Normal Champions League night.
| ↳ 📱 @StretfordEndTom
| Reply: Haaland looked at Ling like an anime rival discovering the final boss has a second phase.
📱 @SalzburgScoutWatch
Haaland, Szoboszlai, Minamino, Hwang — plenty of talent here. But Ling showed the difference between potential and the finished monster.
📱 @TacticalTim ✔
United didn't beat Salzburg by overpowering the press centrally. They moved around it, attacked the flanks, forced shifts, then hit the open spaces. Very mature away performance.
📱 @ThreeLionsWatch ✔
Mourinho protecting Ling's legs before Euro qualifiers while still getting two goals out of him is elite resource management.
📱 @CNFootballRealist
People still argue about Ling's international choice, but every time he punishes players who look down on Chinese football, Chinese fans notice.
...
Two days after facing Salzburg, Manchester United traveled to St. James' Park for an away match against Newcastle United.
A light drizzle fell throughout the day, making the pitch particularly slippery.
On the sidelines, Newcastle United coach Steve Bruce frowned as he looked across the wet grass.
He had taken over from Benítez this season, but the early results had been disappointing, with the team sitting only 11th in the table.
Now, facing a Manchester United squad valued at five times his own, he knew the odds were slim.
As he had anticipated, Manchester United scored within the first five minutes and got off to a dream start.
However, luck did not seem to be on United's side after that.
Ling hit the post and crossbar with two consecutive shots, wiping rain from his face as he muttered in frustration, "Heaven doesn't want me to score today."
"Damn, I hit the post too," Mahrez chimed in, equally annoyed.
There was nothing to be done.
Sometimes football was just like that — mysterious and unpredictable.
For some players, everything went in.
For others, nothing did.
Considering the upcoming international break, Mourinho substituted Ling early.
He knew England's next opponents, Bulgaria and the Czech Republic, were not teams that could be treated casually.
More importantly, Ling was still building chemistry with the national team, and Southgate would undoubtedly rely on him heavily.
Because this was what England needed right now.
Momentum.
Thanks to Ling's arrival, England's already talented attacking group had entered a new phase of expectation.
Whether it was the media, the fans, or the dressing room, continuous victories were essential to keep the atmosphere moving in the right direction.
Of course, losing to powerhouses like Brazil, France, or Germany would be understandable.
But losing to a weaker European side after adding a Ballon d'Or-level player?
Everything Southgate had built would face enormous pressure.
That was the reality of modern football.
Results pushed everything forward.
'Since you've chosen this path, you must see it through, no matter how many obstacles lie ahead,' Mourinho thought to himself.
Back when the English FA had approached Ling, Mourinho had told him to follow his heart.
At the time, he had been proud of his protégé's choice.
And he still was.
The Premier League's eighth round concluded with Manchester United defeating Newcastle United 1–0, leaving United top of the table with eight wins, zero draws, and zero losses — 24 points.
Liverpool, in second place, had also started with eight consecutive wins.
But with a goal difference two lower than Manchester United's, they temporarily held the runner-up spot.
Manchester City trailed both teams by two points after another draw.
📰 Sky Sports: Manchester United Edge Newcastle to Stay Perfect in Premier League
📰 BBC Sport: Early Goal Enough as Mourinho Protects Ling Before International Break
📰 Manchester Evening News: United Win at St. James' Park Despite Ling Striking Woodwork Twice
📰 The Athletic: Mourinho Manages Minutes as England Duty Awaits United's No.7
📱 @UnitedStand ✔
Ling hit the post, hit the bar, got subbed early, and United still won. That's what title-winning ugly away days look like.
| ↳ 📱 @StretfordEndTom
| Reply: Even the goal frame needed to defend him today. Respect the effort.
📱 @LFCView
United perfect. Liverpool perfect. City chasing. This title race is already becoming stressful.
📱 @ThreeLionsWatch ✔
Southgate watching Mourinho sub Ling early like a man receiving a birthday present.
...
The day after the club fixtures ended, Ling reported to St. George's Park.
This international break was tighter than September's.
When he arrived at the training base, most of his England teammates had already assembled.
But before dinner, Ling received a video call from Zhu Chenjie.
"Ling, you're finally free! I was thinking of catching a ride on your private jet, but our match ended earlier," Zhu Chenjie greeted him warmly.
He was in high spirits, riding a wave of good fortune.
With Antwerp's starting centre-back sidelined due to a ligament injury, Zhu's outstanding performances in three consecutive matches had earned the coach's full trust.
"Keep playing well these next few seasons. Once your work permit comes through, I'll help you get connected with a Premier League club."
Ling leaned back in his chair, acting every bit like a seasoned mentor.
And no one should doubt his ability to do so.
After all, he was now the Premier League's one true global star, the face of the league's promotion around the world.
Back when AC Milan signed Kaká, they had also given his brother a contract with an annual salary as high as one million euros.
And that was not the only case.
AC Milan had also signed Seedorf's childhood friend.
Of course, the prerequisite was that Zhu Chenjie's ability had to meet the required standard. Otherwise, this would not be helping him.
It would be harming him.
"Then can I go to Manchester United too?"
Zhu Chenjie's face was full of longing.
But Jiang Guangtai, who had joined the call from the Chinese national-team camp, interrupted him.
"Don't just look at how easily Ling is playing now, scoring in consecutive matches. It's actually extremely difficult. First, establish yourself in Europe before thinking about those things."
It was not that he wanted to dampen Zhu Chenjie's enthusiasm.
Young players needed to stay grounded.
If they kept dreaming of moving to a higher platform while neglecting training, the outcome went without saying.
"Alright, let's not keep discussing that," Wu Lei said, changing the subject. "I think winning the next two rounds of matches shouldn't be a problem."
"The key isn't just winning, but winning convincingly," Zheng Zhi nodded.
Everyone knew the current situation of Chinese football.
Although Ling had chosen England, his influence still shielded many young Chinese players from old interference.
His Chasing the Wind project, overseas recommendations, and public pressure had forced changes that would have been impossible before.
If the Chinese national team did not achieve good results, there would definitely be backlash.
"You should use this opportunity to fully integrate the squad and prepare for the match against Syria in November," Ling said.
Compared to simply winning, he felt it was necessary to look further ahead.
On the other end of the call, Li Pi kept clapping on the sidelines.
"Faster, faster!"
As the saying went, one took on the color of one's company.
Nowadays, with the atmosphere in the Chinese national team, if everyone else was working hard and you slacked off, the only outcome was packing up and leaving.
Thus, the national team had entered an era of intense internal competition.
Everyone frequently put in extra training at their clubs, not just to pass assessments but also to compete for starting positions.
Especially young players like Zhu Chenjie and Jiang Shenglong.
Their progress from receiving more systematic training abroad and participating in higher-quality matches was becoming visibly noticeable.
This also put pressure on some of the older players.
"Although it's only been two or three months, the changes in physical fitness are already obvious. Technical and tactical aspects will still take time to refine," assistant coach Pezzotti said.
"Yes. We'll use matches as training. There will be opportunities in the upcoming East Asian Cup, but there's no need to involve Ling in that."
Li Pi nodded.
He now felt incredibly comfortable, finally free from constant interference.
He could do things his way.
"Pay attention to the selection of young players. Our target is three years from now."
Li Pi adjusted his glasses.
For the 2022 Qatar World Cup, his first goal was to qualify.
If the draw was favorable, and if the younger generation could grow quickly enough, Chinese football might finally have a real chance to take another step.
Not long after the daily training session ended, Zhu Chenjie privately messaged Ling again.
"Ling, will you come back to help us before the U23 Asian Cup in January?"
Although he knew Ling could not play for them anymore, the tournament was tied to the ticket for the Tokyo Olympics in July 2020.
Just imagine.
If they could defeat Japan on their home turf, how satisfying would that be?
Right, he did not expect China to defeat strong teams like Brazil or Spain and win the championship.
A medal would already be enough.
Because that would represent progress for Chinese football, and not just a small step.
All of them would be remembered in history.
"I've talked to the club. If the schedule allows, I should be able to come back for a short visit before the tournament."
Ling replied after thinking for a moment.
"I can't play, but I can help with video analysis, training plans, and contacting overseas coaches."
Originally, Manchester United had not been willing, saying it would affect his league rhythm.
But Ling's attitude was firm.
This was not about neglecting club interests. Olympic qualification was too important for Chinese youth football.
If, and it was a big if, China could actually win a medal, the improvement it would bring to the domestic football environment would be exponential.
What could the club executives do then?
Bench Ling?
Sell Ling?
Their houses would be burned to the ground by fans that very night!
Besides, during that period in January, there were no Champions League matches, and the league opponents were not particularly strong. Manchester United should be able to manage.
"Good to have you helping!" Zhu Chenjie clenched his fist.
He felt they could aim even higher.
Semi-finals?
Bronze medal?
Silver medal?
He wiped the drool from the corner of his mouth and hurried back to training!