SLNA - Than Quang Ninh: "Return Day" of Le The Manh

Born in 1993 in Nghia Dan district, Le The Manh is a product of the VST training center, now the T&T - VSH Youth Football Training Center (Cua Lo town). The player wearing the number 37 shirt of Than Quang Ninh is in the same generation as Ngan Van Dai, Nguyen Van Cong (Hanoi Club) and Sam Ngoc Duc (HCMC Club), although he is 1 year younger.

Unlike the three former teammates mentioned above, Le The Manh's career path was full of obstacles and difficulties. Due to not being promoted to the first team of Hanoi FC, Le The Manh had to move to the South to continue pursuing his passion. Before playing for Saigon FC in the 2018 season, the player from Nghia Dan had played for two lower-ranked teams, Lam Dong and Tay Ninh.

Le The Manh (far right, back row) in Lam Dong shirt. Photo: FBNV

However, the time at Thong Nhat Stadium was not really memorable for Le The Manh. According to statistics, in V.League 2018, the 26-year-old player only played for 51 minutes and did not show much. Unable to compete for a position with his teammates, Le The Manh had to "take root" on the bench.

Last season ended, which was also the time when the contract between Le The Manh and Saigon FC officially expired. Unable to be retained by the Thong Nhat Stadium team, the former Lam Dong and Tay Ninh player had to "run around" to find a new destination. And Than Quang Ninh welcomed Le The Manh with open arms, with a 2-year contract.

Unfortunately, at the coal mining team, Le The Manh is rarely used by coach Phan Thanh Hung in his favorite position as a central midfielder. This is understandable, because in the midfield of Than Quang Ninh at the moment is the presence of the duo Nguyen Hai Huy - Mac Hong Quan. Therefore, Le The Manh is only a secondary choice.

However, the former Saigon FC player still regularly plays on the field. From a central midfielder, Le The Manh was "molded" by coach Phan Thanh Hung into a left-back and a right-back, depending on the specific situation. It is worth mentioning that, although it is not his forte position, Le The Manh still completed the assigned task quite well.

Le The Manh's tackle on SLNA's Olaha. Photo: Than Quang Ninh FC

Up to this point in V.League 2019, Le The Manh's total playing time is 695 minutes, nearly 13 times more than the total playing time in V.League 2018 (51 minutes). Through that, it is enough to see that Le The Manh is experiencing the best days of his football career. It all started from the tireless efforts of the player from Nghia Dan.

In the match between SLNA and Than Quang Ninh in round 25 of V.League 2019, taking place at Vinh Stadium at 5:00 p.m. on October 19, perhaps Le The Manh is the only Nghe An player who hopes the away team will win. Simply put, Le The Manh is on the payroll of Than Quang Ninh./.