Chapter 42

After leaving the youth team's training ground, Jin Taige returned to the first team facility to grab his jacket before heading home. However, as he entered, he heard voices from the pitch.

"Boss, what are you doing here? No rest today?"

Taige looked at the two figures on the field Phil Jones and Anthony Martial.

"You're on holiday, but the youth team isn't," he replied. "Aren't you both supposed to report for national team duty?"

Jones nodded. "England U21 and France U21 have a friendly in London this weekend. We were told to report in three days, so we decided to get in some extra training."

Martial added, "Yeah, I had nothing else to do, so I came in as well."

Taige chatted briefly with the two before heading out. However, before leaving, he pulled Martial aside and whispered a few words. Martial nodded in agreement.

Looking up at the midday sun, Taige felt nostalgic. Watching these young players dedicate themselves reminded him of his own youth, back when he was an 18-year-old dreamer.

For the next three days, Jin Taige took a well-deserved break, spending time with his wife, Winna, and their children. Since becoming Manchester United's manager, family time had become a luxury. Early mornings at the training ground, analysis sessions in his office, late nights studying opponents—his work consumed him. Many nights, when he finally got home, Winna and the kids were already asleep.

This short vacation was a rare chance to enjoy simple family joys.

But soon, duty called again.

That weekend, Taige closely followed several World Cup qualifiers, monitoring both his current players and potential transfer targets.

- South America: He had already listed several promising players. Soon, he planned to send scouts to observe them at their clubs.

- Asia: He only watched Japan's match to check on Shinji Kagawa. Despite limited club minutes, Kagawa remained the creative core of Japan's midfield, delivering a strong performance. Taige noted that if Kagawa maintained this form, he would give him more game time at United.

Sitting on the couch with Taige, Winna glanced at the TV. "Do you like the Japanese team?"

"No," Taige said bluntly. "But I have to watch my players."

Winna laughed. "Your father was Chinese, right? I remember he disliked Japan whenever he talked about history."

Taige's expression grew serious. "Yeah. Some wounds never heal, especially for those who lived through war."

Winna looked curious. "If you have Chinese ancestry, why aren't you watching the Chinese team's match?"

Taige smirked. "Because there is no match."

Winna blinked. "No broadcast?"

"No," Taige sighed. "China didn't even make the final round of Asian qualifiers. Eliminated early."

"Seriously?" Winna was stunned. "A country with over a billion people can't find 11 good footballers?"

Taige chuckled bitterly. "This question is harder to answer than Hawking's research on the universe."

Winna shook her head. "I remember you once said China has many football fans. But they can't even support their team in the World Cup? That's sad."

Taige shrugged. "At least they have table tennis."

Winna smiled playfully. "Tiger, if you were to coach China, could you take them to the World Cup?"

Taige's response was immediate. "First, not even a World Cup-winning coach could fix China's problems. Second, I would never coach the Chinese national team. Never."

Of all the weekend qualifiers, Taige was most focused on Europe.

Two teams in particular caught his attention:

- Portugal: Led by Cristiano Ronaldo, but lacking overall squad depth. They finished second in their group, trailing behind Russia.

- France: Despite a talented squad, they were in the same group as Spain. With Spain in dominant form, France finished three points behind, securing second place.

Though several United players were French, only Patrice Evra made the national team. N'Golo Kanté, despite his great club form, wasn't selected.

After the qualifiers, the eight best second-place teams were set for a playoff draw.

Taige wasn't overly concerned with the results. His main relief? None of his players got injured.

Now, it was time to shift focus back to club football.

With the international break over, the players returned to Manchester, preparing for the next round of Premier League action. The season was entering a crucial phase.

With the international break over, Manchester United entered a demanding phase of the season. Over the next month, they faced a packed schedule:

- October 19– Premier League (R8): vs. Southampton (H)

- October 23– Champions League (R3): vs. Real Sociedad (H)

- October 26– Premier League (R9): vs. Stoke City (H)

- October 29 – League Cup (R16): vs. Norwich (H)

- November 2 – Premier League (R10): vs. Fulham (A)

- November 5 – Champions League (R4): vs. Real Sociedad (A)

- November 11 – Premier League (R11): vs. Arsenal (H)

Jin Taige reviewed the schedule. Compared to the earlier "devil's fixture list," this run seemed more manageable. Apart from Arsenal, none of the opponents posed a serious threat. Additionally, four of the first five matches were at Old Trafford, reducing travel fatigue.

His priority? Keeping players fit and focused.

During training, Taige pulled Anthony Martial aside.

"Did you observe what I asked?"

"Yes, boss," Martial replied. "I watched Anthony carefully. He's a great player."

"Compared to you?"

Martial thought for a moment. "I'm faster, but his positioning and finishing are better."

"And his personality? How does he fit into the team?"

Martial nodded. "Anthony's well-liked. He's always joking around. Coaches and players love him."

Taige patted Martial's shoulder. "Got it. Back to training."

Martial hesitated, then asked, "Boss, are you planning to sign him?"

"I'm considering it," Taige admitted. "If you meet him again, tell him Manchester United is interested. See how he reacts."

"Understood, boss."

Martial returned to training, while Taige made a mental note. This Anthony could be a future target.

On October 19, Manchester United hosted Southampton.

This wasn't an ordinary Southampton. In a parallel football future, they finished 8th in the league, just behind United, and were stacked with talent:

- Lallana & Schneiderlin – Dynamic midfielders with both attacking and defensive ability.

- Luke Shaw – An exciting young left-back.

- *ovren & Clyne– Solid defenders.

Between 2014 and 2015, these players would be snapped up by United and Liverpool for a combined €152M.

But now, they were a dangerous opponent.

Most of United's squad had just returned from international duty. Only a few Alonso, Kanté, Anderson, and Giggs had avoided travel.

Taige had no choice but to rotate. Even Anderson, whom he preferred not to use, had to start.

The result? A sluggish United.

Apart from Giggs and Kanté, the team was out of sync. Seeing this, Taige ordered a defensive counterattack strategy, relying on Martial's pace.

It didn't work.

- Nani faced off against Luke Shaw on the right flank.

- Shaw dominated the duels.

- Nani struggled so much that he questioned his own dribbling skills.

Watching Shaw, Taige understood why Louis van Gaal would later pay €39M for him. If injuries hadn't derailed him, Shaw would have become England's best left-back.

Southampton took control. In the 72nd minute, their midfield duo struck:

- Schneiderlin pulled Kanté out of position.

- Lallana made a late run and scored a low shot past De Gea.

Manchester United 0-1 Southampton.

Taige brought on substitutes, trying to rescue the game. Nothing worked.

At full-time, United suffered their first home defeat of the season.

At the press conference, reporters pounced.

"Was this a tactical failure?"

"No," Taige defended his team. "This is the FIFA Virus. Every top club suffers after international breaks. Fatigue affected us today. The season is long—we'll recover."

His priority now? Restoring his squad's sharpness before the Champions League clash.

The next morning, training resumed.

Taige addressed the squad: "Forget the loss. Reset your focus. We must win in the Champions League."

A must-win match against Real Sociedad loomed.

XXXX

Southampton stunned Manchester United at Old Trafford, escaping with a 1-0 victory. The loss stung. The press tore into Jin Taige's team, questioning their mentality, their tactics, their desire. But at the post-match conference, Taige took the heat.

"The FIFA virus affected us," he said, shielding his players from criticism. "We had too many returning from international duty, and it showed."

The next morning at Carrington, his message was clear. "Forget the loss. We don't have time to dwell on it. We have a Champions League match in three days, and we must win."

Because this match this match, Taige could not afford to lose.

The group stage was delicately poised. After two rounds, United and Shakhtar Donetsk had four points each. Bayer Leverkusen trailed with three. Sociedad? Zero.

Dead last.

On paper, they were the weakest team. But football isn't played on paper. Taige needed six points from these back-to-back fixtures no excuses.

October 23. Old Trafford.

The stadium roared as United took the field in a 4-4-2.

Starting XI:

- GK: De Gea

- DEF: Vidic, Smalling, Alonso, Rafael

- MID: Kante, Giggs, Mahrez, Valencia

- FWD: Van Persie, Rooney

Before kickoff, Taige gathered his players. His eyes locked onto his defenders.

"Keep an eye on their No. 7," he warned. "Griezmann is their danger man. Don't let him out of your sight."

Across the pitch, Sociedad lined up in a 4-3-2-1, their intentions clear: defend deep, frustrate, counterattack.

Taige scowled. They want a draw? Not happening.

The moment the whistle blew, United attacked in waves.

Mahrez sprinted down the right. Valencia bombed forward. Rooney and Van Persie exchanged quick passes, breaking Sociedad's defensive lines.

"Kante intercepts! Sends it wide to Valenciacross comes in Van Persie! HEADER!"

"Just wide!"

United kept coming.

"Giggs with a brilliant dribble! He slides it into Rooney—turns—SHOOTS!"

"Bravo saves!"

Sociedad barely escaped their half, relying on one man: Antoine Griezmann.

Every time Sociedad won the ball, their plan was obvious. Find Griezmann.

United's backline struggled to contain him. On the sideline, Taige's jaw clenched. He had seen this before.

He's not a superstar yet, but he will be.

And sure enough, every time Griezmann touched the ball, danger followed.

But while Griezmann was Sociedad's spear, their shield was even more formidable.

Claudio Bravo.

The Chilean goalkeeper was possessed.

United launched attack after attack, shot after shot. Every single one—Bravo stopped.

"Mahrez cuts inside! He plays it to Giggs—LONG SHOT!"

"Bravo tips it over!"

"Corner comes in! Vidic rises!

"PUNCHED AWAY BY BRAVO!"

"Rooney with a curling effort!"

"BRAVO SAVES AGAIN!"

Taige could only shake his head. He had seen this before, too.

Bravo was already Sociedad's rock, but his true rise would come soon. The 2014 World Cup. His move to Barcelona. Even his turbulent spell at Manchester City.

But right now, he was denying Manchester United at every turn.

Halftime. 0-0.

The players filed into the dressing room, frustration written on their faces. They had battered Sociedad, but the scoreboard didn't care.

Taige clapped his hands to get their attention.

"Listen. You're playing well. Keep moving the ball fast, keep pressing. That goal will come."

But he knew something had to change.

One player wasn't delivering.

Taige turned to Nani. The Portuguese winger was a mystery. Some days, he played like Ronaldo's heir. Other days… he played like a lost boy.

Today? He was the lost boy.

"Nani," Taige called. The winger looked up.

"You're coming off."

Nani exhaled and nodded. He knew.

Taige pointed at the young Frenchman on the bench. "Martial, you're in."

Anthony Martial rose, eyes burning with hunger. At just 17, he was raw, but he had one thing United needed fearlessness.

"Run at them," Taige instructed. "Tear them apart."

Barely five minutes in, Martial picked up the ball on the right flank.

One defender in front of him.

Not enough.

Martial accelerated a burst of pace, a flick past his man he was gone.

The crowd roared.

The game had changed.