Chapter 41

A Short Break Before Big Decisions

After two consecutive away games, the major European leagues entered a brief pause.

The upcoming week was designated as an international break by FIFA, meaning many of Manchester United's players would be joining their national teams for the crucial final rounds of 2014 World Cup qualifiers. Those without international duty were given a rare week-long holiday.

With most of the squad away, the Carrington training ground became unusually quiet. Even Scholes and Ferran were given time off to recover from the relentless fixture schedule. However, Jin Taige had something on his mind—something he had been putting off due to the packed schedule.

Instead of heading to the first-team facilities, he made his way to the youth training ground.

The walk between the two training bases took only ten minutes, but in many ways, it was a journey between two worlds—one representing success and recognition, the other filled with dreams and potential.

Though the first team was on break, the youth squad was still hard at work. As Taige approached, he heard the unmistakable voice of youth coach Paul McGuinness, urging his players to push themselves.

"Work harder! Train smarter! If you perform well, you could make it to the first team soon. You've seen what's happening—players who arrived this summer are already proving themselves in the Premier League."

McGuinness then called out specific names:

"Martial, 18. Icardi, 20. Alisson, 21. They're barely older than you, and they're already in the first-team squad. Van Dijk and Alonso are getting regular minutes. Kante and Mahrez? They're first-team starters now—and neither of them is over 22!"

He paused, letting the message sink in.

"You won't always get a manager willing to promote young players. This is your chance. Don't waste it!"

Just as he finished, applause rang out from behind.

"Well said, Paul! You're lucky to have a coach who believes in you," Taige called out.

The young players instantly lit up.

"Coach Taige!"

McGuinness turned, already knowing who it was. He dismissed the players to resume training.

"Go on, boys. This is your chance to impress. Maybe you'll be getting called up sooner than you think."

With Taige watching from the sidelines, the energy in training surged.

McGuinness sighed as he observed. "If you visited more often, I swear these kids would train twice as hard."

Taige shook his head. "If they only push themselves when I'm watching, they don't have a future."

McGuinness chuckled. "Still as blunt as ever. But that's why Sir Alex trusted you to take over—because you see the big picture."

Taige leaned back in the familiar coach's seat. "Feels good to sit here again."

McGuinness smirked. "Well, you did sit here for 16 years. That's longer than you've been married."

Taige playfully punched his shoulder. "Watch what you say—I expect a professional attitude from my youth coach."

"Please. I only act strict so the kids don't walk all over me. Since you left, I barely have anyone to talk to. You hardly come by anymore."

Taige sighed. "The schedule's been brutal. But now that I finally have time, this was my first stop."

The two discussed the squad, with McGuinness giving an update on the new recruits.

"These summer signings are incredible. Our midfield and attack have transformed. We've won our first six youth league matches in a row."

Taige nodded. "Better than my record."

"Don't flatter me. The Premier League is a different beast." McGuinness paused, eyeing Taige carefully. "Alright, tell me—how many players are you here to take?"

Taige grinned. "Not for the first team. I have something else in mind."

McGuinness's curiosity piqued. "Go on. What's the plan?"

XXXX

With the first team on vacation, Jin Taige took the opportunity to observe the youth team's training.

McGuinness, knowing Taige well, immediately guessed his purpose.

"You're here to take some players for the first team, right?"

Taige smiled. "Not exactly. I do have adjustments in mind, but they're not for the first team—at least not yet."

McGuinness raised an eyebrow. "Oh? What's the plan?"

As the players took a break, Taige called over a young, slender midfielder.

"Naby Keïta, come here."

The other players turned their attention to Keïta, their eyes filled with envy.

McGuinness shouted at the group, "See that? Opportunities are everywhere! Stop staring and get back to training!"

Keïta jogged over, visibly nervous. "Coach Taige, you wanted to see me?"

Taige gave him a reassuring nod. "How's everything going? Are you settling in well?"

Keïta smiled. "The training conditions here are incredible. I only wish I had come earlier."

Hearing his slightly broken English, Taige felt pleased. Most of the foreign players signed in the summer had worked hard to integrate, and Keïta was no exception.

Taige continued. "McGuinness tells me you're in great form and becoming the heart of our youth midfield."

"That's because Coach McGuinness gives me chances to play," Keïta said gratefully. "Coach Taige, I've always wanted to thank you. If not for you, I wouldn't even be here."

Taige waved off the praise. "Your success is your own doing. I just put talented players in the right place."

After a brief pause, Taige shifted the conversation.

"You know about the first team's injury issues, right?"

Keïta nodded. "Yes."

He hesitated for a moment, looking hopeful, but then his expression dimmed.

Taige continued. "I need a deep-lying midfielder, and you'd be a great option. If I had the choice, I'd bring you up immediately. But…"

"But I'm Guinean, not an EU player," Keïta sighed. "I can't get a work permit in England yet."

Taige nodded. "Exactly. When we signed you, it had to be a youth contract instead of a professional one—because of the work permit issue. That's why I wanted to talk to you today. We need a plan to fix this."

He laid out the possible options:

1. Obtain EU citizenship– "If you had an EU passport, the issue would be solved immediately."

2. Meet Premier League work permit criteria – "Guinea needs to be ranked high enough in FIFA's rankings, and you need to play 75% of their senior matches."

Keïta shook his head. "I have no EU relatives, so naturalization is impossible. And Guinea is too low in the FIFA rankings. Even if I play most of our international matches, we won't break into the top 64 anytime soon."

Taige sighed. "I see you've done your homework. That saves me an explanation."

Keïta's determination was clear. "Coach, I'll do whatever it takes to get a work permit faster."

Taige nodded. "Good. The best option is a loan. I want to send you somewhere you can get your permit as soon as possible."

Keïta didn't hesitate. "Even if you send me to Antarctica to play with the penguins, I'll go!"

Taige laughed and patted his shoulder.

"Luckily, we don't need to go that far. You'll be heading to Royal Antwerp in Belgium, our satellite club. Three years there should be enough to get your permit. Then you'll be back at Old Trafford."

Keïta's eyes burned with determination. "I'll make the most of it!"

After wrapping up Keïta's loan, Taige turned to McGuinness.

"I noticed something—why don't I see Bailly on the pitch?"

McGuinness explained, "He's with the Ivory Coast national team. Why? Are you thinking of loaning him out too?"

Taige shook his head. "No, Bailly is different. I can wait for Keïta, but I need Bailly now. Ferdinand and Vidic are aging and injury-prone—I need fresh blood in defense."

McGuinness raised a valid concern. "But he has the same work permit issue as Keïta. How do you plan to solve it?"

Taige was already prepared. "His situation is actually easier. Ivory Coast is consistently ranked in FIFA's top 64, and their national team is full of rising stars. If he plays enough for the national team, he'll qualify for a work permit."

"So what's your move?"

"I'll call Woodward. He needs to negotiate with the Ivorian FA and push for Bailly to get more national team appearances. If he plays in 75% of their matches, he'll qualify for a permit. If all goes well, he'll join the first team next season."

McGuinness nodded in approval. "Smart move."

Taige smirked. "Of course. I always keep track of the players I sign."

McGuinness, however, crossed his arms and frowned. "That's exactly my problem with you."

Taige raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean?"

McGuinness pointed at the training field. "You're too focused on the players you bought. What about the ones we've developed here? You need to pay attention to them too."

Hearing this, Taige chuckled and glanced at his longtime colleague.

McGuinness, still slightly dissatisfied, voiced his concerns.

"You haven't visited the youth team in a while. Maybe you don't realize how much these kids admire you. You were their first coach, the one who knew all their strengths and weaknesses. When you became Manchester United's manager, they thought it would be their best chance to break into the first team. They look up to you even more than the new signings."

Jin Taige smiled. "McGuinness, don't worry. How could I forget our own youth players? One of the key reasons Manchester United has remained at the top for so long is our world-class academy. Just look at the Class of '92—David, Ryan, and Paul became some of the greatest players in the world."

McGuinness grinned. "And don't forget the '92 TigerKings—the best future coach in the world."

Taige chuckled, but his gaze drifted toward the training field. He saw flashes of his past—his old teammates, the battles they fought together, the trophies they lifted. The memories fueled his determination.

He reached into his pocket and handed McGuinness a small note.

"These are the three players I rate the highest."

McGuinness' eyes lit up. "I knew it! You wouldn't forget your own boys."

Opening the note, he saw three names.

Taige pointed toward a player taking long shots from outside the box. One of them curled into the top corner—an absolute beauty.

"He's always been my favorite. He's fearless, plays with confidence, and has a maturity beyond his years."

McGuinness nodded. "That's why he's the captain of our U18 team—the most talented player in our academy."

"But he has a flaw," Taige said. "He relies too much on individual ability. It's not that he lacks teamwork; he just struggles with vision during dribbles. He doesn't always pick the best passing options."

McGuinness agreed. "True, but for his age, he's still ahead of the curve."

Taige shook his head. "I don't compare him to other U18 players. In a few years, he'll be competing with the likes of Messi and Ronaldo. We need to accelerate his growth."

McGuinness leaned in. "What's your plan?"

"Starting tomorrow, play him in central midfield," Taige said. "Make him focus on positioning, passing, and decision-making. It'll give him a better understanding of when to dribble and when to pass. It'll also help him see the entire game from a new perspective."

McGuinness clapped his hands. "Brilliant! I'll start tomorrow. With Keïta leaving, I need a midfielder anyway. It's settled!"

Taige pointed to the second name.

"He's another player I believe in. If developed well, he'll be crucial for Manchester United's future."

McGuinness hesitated. "I haven't seen any exceptional talent from him. But he's hardworking, I'll give him that."

Taige corrected him. "Not just hardworking extremely hardworking. And while his raw talent isn't the highest, his game intelligence is outstanding. He understands tactics better than most and executes instructions flawlessly. That alone gives him the potential to become a midfield leader."

McGuinness thought back. "You might be right. When we won the FA Youth Cup in 2011, he and Pogba were our best performers. Since you believe in him, I'll keep a closer eye."

"Actually, I have a better idea," Taige said. "Birmingham from the Championship wanted to loan some of our academy players. Let's send him there. The Championship will toughen him up, and playing against senior professionals will push his development."

McGuinness agreed. "That's a great plan. I'll finalize the loan deal."

Taige tapped the third name. "This kid joined our academy this summer, right?"

McGuinness beamed. "So you have been paying attention! He was in our youth ranks before but only signed a formal contract recently. Just 16 years old."

"I heard you changed his position?" Taige asked.

McGuinness looked impressed. "You even know that? Yes, he was originally a forward, but I thought he was too short. So I moved him to midfield, and he's thriving there. His style reminds me of Carrick—calm, composed, and intelligent."

Taige nodded. "Good call. These three players have huge potential. We need to guide them carefully."

McGuinness grinned. "And I assume you've noticed a few more players we should focus on?"

Taige smirked and listed several other promising talents. McGuinness quickly jotted them down.

Looking at the young players on the field, Taige felt a deep sense of anticipation.

"In three to five years, how many of them will make it? How many will become world-class?"

A new era was coming.

As the day ended, Taige returned to the first team's training ground to grab his jacket before heading home.

But as he stepped onto the pitch, he heard the rhythmic sound of a ball being struck—boom, boom, boom—followed by a voice complaining.

"Brother, take it easy! If you injure me while I'm on vacation, that's just bad luck."

Another voice responded. "Sorry, I'm just used to tackling hard. Don't worry—I'll go easy. Otherwise, the boss will kill me."

Taige froze.

It was supposed to be the team's day off.

Who was still here, training?