Chapter 36

During the afternoon training, teammates noticed that Jones had changed.

In the morning, he was still playing with reckless energy, but in the afternoon, he had calmed down. His decision-making was more composed, his ball-handling was more measured, and his physical exertion was better managed.

Scholes turned to Jin Taige with surprise. "Captain, what restaurant did you eat at for lunch?"

Jin Taige replied, "A place near Ferdinand's. Why? Is there a problem?"

Scholes nodded seriously. "I think we should have our next team dinner there. Jones has improved after eating there!"

Jin Taige couldn't help but laugh. "Paul, if a meal could improve a player's ability, I'd ask the club to buy that restaurant."

Ferran looked frustrated. "We're really short on players right now. Vidic is injured, Ferdinand is injured, Carrick is injured, Kante is injured, and Jones is suspended. We're only five rounds into the league, and we've already lost five players. It's a nightmare."

Jin Taige corrected him. "Not five. Six."

Ferran looked at him, confused. "What do you mean?"

"You'll also be suspended for the next game."

"Sh*t!" Ferran cursed. "I'm missing the home game against Liverpool? That's brutal!"

Scholes chuckled. "At least you'll get to command the fans again. You did a great job last time. You might have a future as a fan club leader."

Jin Taige nodded. "Exactly. Get the crowd going, and we'll do the rest on the pitch."

Ferran sighed. "Fine. As long as we beat Liverpool, I don't care where I watch from."

Despite the heavy defeat to Manchester City on September 22, there was no time to dwell on it. The schedule remained relentless.

- September 25: League Cup, Manchester United vs. Liverpool (home)

- September 28: Premier League, Manchester United vs. West Brom (home)

- October 2: Champions League, Shakhtar Donetsk vs. Manchester United (away)

- October 5: Premier League, Sunderland vs. Manchester United (away)

Four games in eleven days. With so many injuries, the challenge was immense. First up: Liverpool, again.

Just a month ago, on August 31, United had beaten Liverpool 3-0 at Anfield. But could Jin Taige lead them to victory again, securing a spot in the next round of the League Cup?

He noticed something worrying his players weren't as sharp in training. The loss to City had clearly affected their morale. Veterans like Giggs handled it well, but the younger players were showing signs of self-doubt. Their decision-making was hesitant, their confidence shaken.

The English media weren't helping. Every newspaper and TV pundit was picking apart Manchester United's performance. Even Giggs wasn't spared.

One tabloid wrote: "At 39, Giggs is a liability. His presence stunts the growth of younger players."

Young players were being criticized even if they hadn't played.

A so-called "expert" on TV declared, "With this squad, Jin Taige has no good options. He's stuck."

Already feeling the sting of defeat, the players sank further into frustration.

Jin Taige knew he had to act fast. The team was already short on players if their mentality wasn't right, the match against Liverpool could be a disaster.

On the afternoon of September 24, Liverpool arrived in Manchester a day early. They were confident. At their press conference, Rodgers declared, "Since Manchester United beat us at Anfield, we'll return the favor at Old Trafford. We're here for revenge!"

United's press conference was scheduled for the next day, but reporters couldn't wait. After training, a crowd of journalists surrounded Jin Taige as he left Carrington.

A female reporter in a sleek black dress pushed to the front. "Mr. Jin Taige, Rodgers said Liverpool is here to avenge their loss. What's your response?"

A tall, thin reporter added, "Rodgers has already revealed his starting lineup. He plans to attack aggressively. Will you use a defensive setup again?"

Jin Taige ignored the chaotic barrage of questions and raised his hand. "I'll answer all your questions at tomorrow's press conference. But today, I have just one thing to say."

The reporters fell silent, waiting.

Jin Taige looked around at them. "Do you remember my bet with Rodgers? The one where I said we would do the league double over Liverpool? That if we didn't, I'd jump off Tower Bridge in London?"

The female reporter nodded. "Of course we remember!"

Jin Taige sighed. "Looking back, I realize that was a bit too extreme. So after careful consideration, I'd like to sincerely apologize to Mr. Rodgers."

XXXX

"Jin Taige's Apology!"

This was the headline of The Sun on the morning of September 25th.

Wolf, one of the journalists interviewed yesterday, was overjoyed when he heard Jin Taige's apology. It felt like drinking a glass of ice-cold cola on a hot summer day! That night, Wolf skipped dinner and wrote an article titled "Jin Taige's Apology." The editor-in-chief, Blatter, barely glanced at it before immediately printing it overnight. The paper was issued the next morning.

"After the Manchester Derby debacle, Jin Taige has matured. He finally realized how foolish his 'double kill Liverpool' bet was. Even though Manchester United won at Anfield a month ago, will they be confident of winning again? And the League Cup match today? Liverpool's team is eager to win at Old Trafford!"

"Look at the situation now. Jin Taige's center-backs, Ferdinand and Vidic, are both injured, along with midfielders Kante and Carrick. Phil Jones is suspended. Of the five defensive players, only a few remain. Can they withstand Liverpool's attack? It's unlikely!"

"It's clear Jin Taige was smart enough to apologize. Although it was embarrassing, it's better than boasting before the match and losing badly afterward. But Jin Taige has already signed a 'jumping contract' with The Sun. Unless he fulfills his promise and jumps off the Tower Bridge, we won't hesitate to take him to court!"

The morning of September 25th. At Carrington, Manchester United conducted its final tactical training session before the game. Today's focus was on attacking and set-piece drills. On the sidelines, Ferran and Scholes discussed the article in The Sun.

"Sue us? Let them try!" Ferran yelled.

Scholes motioned for quiet. "Keep it down. The captain's been in a bad mood lately."

Scholes and Ferran were overseeing the training while Jin Taige sat on the coach's seat, eyes closed in deep thought.

Ferran glanced at him and turned to Scholes. "Did the press really get to him?"

Scholes shook his head. "I doubt it. Even the Manchester Evening News reported it, so it's likely true."

Phelan raised an eyebrow. "This doesn't make sense. Knowing Jin Taige, he wouldn't apologize so easily, especially to Rodgers. Something's off."

Scholes shrugged. "I'm not asking him. He'll explain it all at the press conference later."

The players were equally confused. This morning, they discussed it in the locker room.

Raphael asked Smalling, "What do you think? Why did the boss apologize to Rodgers?"

Smalling shook his head. "I don't know. Was he losing confidence in us? Is he that weak?"

Giggs glared at him. "Don't be ridiculous. The boss isn't like that. I've known him for 20 years, and he's never been someone who backs down."

Van Persie nodded. "I agree. He's not the type to be defeated by a loss. There must be another reason for this."

Rooney joined in. "Let's see what the boss says at the press conference. We'll understand then."

Everyone on the training field was focused. The loss to Manchester City was behind them, but they were all eager to understand Jin Taige's reasoning. Why apologize to Liverpool?

Anderson, however, was the only player who secretly felt satisfaction at Jin Taige's apology.

Jin Taige had left Anderson off the team list for several games. While Anderson could accept not starting, being left off the bench was too much for him. He was a key player under Ferguson, but since Jin Taige took over, he'd been sidelined. Anderson found it hard to accept.

When he heard about Jin Taige's public apology, Anderson felt a dark satisfaction.

"If I had started in the Manchester Derby, maybe the result would have been different. And now that so many players are injured, you'll realize you need me!"

So, on the training field today, Anderson pushed himself harder than ever.

It wasn't just him; all the players were taking training seriously today. They'd all moved past the sting of the derby defeat. But they were still curious about their coach's apology and the press conference.

Jin Taige, sitting on the coach's seat, smiled as he watched his players. They were no longer weighed down by their previous loss. Despite missing several key players, he felt confident.

The real test, however, would come at the noon press conference.

Was Jin Taige afraid of Liverpool?

Of course not.

How could Jin Taige bow his head to Liverpool?

The press conference was about to begin, and it was sure to be a show!