Chapter 43

Manchester United hosted Real Sociedad at Old Trafford for their Champions League group stage match. Despite relentless attacks, United couldn't break through, and the first half ended 0-0.

At halftime, Jin Taige decided to make a change. Nani had struggled to penetrate Sociedad's tight defense, so Taige brought on the more explosive Martial to add directness to the right wing.

It didn't take long for the substitution to pay off.

In the 57th minute, Giggs carried the ball through midfield. Sociedad's defensive midfielders pressed forward to close him down. Giggs glanced left Mahrez was making a run, but the defense was shifting to cover him. Instead of forcing the pass, Giggs chipped a half-height ball to the right.

Martial, already anticipating it, surged forward, controlled the ball with ease, and immediately took on the left-back. With a quick burst of pace, he skipped past his marker and cut inside the box. Rooney and Van Persie were waiting, but both were marked.

Martial hesitated for just a second then made his decision.

"He's going for it himself!" the BT Sport commentator shouted.

Bravo rushed off his line, arms outstretched.

Martial stayed composed. With a smooth push, he slotted the ball into the far corner.

"Goal! Martial breaks the deadlock! Old Trafford erupts!"

Taige let out a breath of relief. "Finally. Now we control the game."

The goal forced Sociedad to adjust. Their deep defensive line had been their foundation, but trailing 1-0, they had no choice but to push forward. Their coach made two substitutions, bringing on an attacking midfielder and sacrificing a defensive midfielder.

Taige smirked. "They're coming out now. This is exactly what we want."

Sociedad's attack revolved around one man Griezmann. His movement was intelligent, his passing sharp, but his teammates struggled to match his vision. Several times, he found space and played clever balls into the box, only for them to go wasted.

United stayed patient, waiting for their next opportunity.

In the 73rd minute, Giggs played the ball wide to Martial again. This time, Sociedad doubled up on him, blocking his path.

But Martial didn't try to dribble. Instead, he whipped in a perfect cross to the far post.

Van Persie was waiting.

He leaped above his marker, met the ball cleanly with his forehead, and powered it into the net.

"Van Persie! 2-0! Bravo had no chance!"

"That should do it," Scholes said from the bench, grinning.

Taige pumped his fist. "No matter how good Bravo is, he can't stop us forever."

The rest of the match played out without much drama. Sociedad, deflated, couldn't mount a comeback. United saw out the 2-0 win, securing a crucial three points and solidifying their position at the top of the group.

After the match, Taige praised his team. "The FIFA virus is gone. We're back on track."

He rewarded his players with a half-day off, allowing them to rest before their next training session.

That evening, Taige returned home, only to be greeted by two impatient voices.

"Dad! You promised to take us to dinner!" Joa and Eliza whined in unison.

Winna, his wife, smiled. "Winning puts you in a good mood, doesn't it?"

"It does," Taige admitted, scooping up his kids. "Alright, what are we eating?"

"French food!"

"French it is. We're going to the best spot in Manchester."

The family headed to their favorite French restaurant near the club. As they walked in, Taige immediately spotted a familiar face at a nearby table.

The waiter guided them to their seats, but Taige leaned over to Wenna. "There's someone I know over there. I'll be right back."

He made his way to the window-side table, smiling as he spoke. "Well, well. Fancy meeting you here."

XXXX

Suddenly, the two people sitting at the table looked at Jin Taige. One of the black men stood up with a smile.

"Boss, I didn't expect to meet you here—what a coincidence."

It was Martial, who had performed well in today's game. After the match, he invited his U21 national teammate Griezmann to dinner. The two chose this authentic French restaurant.

Martial invited Jin Taige to sit with them, and Jin Taige, without hesitation, sat down beside them.

Jin Taige asked Martial, "After the game, did I praise you for your good performance today?"

Martial responded, a bit embarrassed, "Boss, you already exaggerated when I came off the field."

"That's good. Allow me to brag about you again—you were fantastic today." Jin Taige nodded. "If you can maintain this form in the next game, I might have to make some adjustments to Manchester United's starting lineup."

Martial was excited. "Thank you, boss!"

"Don't thank me—this is your opportunity," Jin Taige said. Then he turned to the man sitting across from Martial and smiled. "Hello, Anthony. I'm Jin Taige, the coach of Manchester United. Nice to meet you."

He extended his right hand toward Griezmann.

Jin Taige had recognized Martial and his companion as soon as he entered the restaurant. The person sitting across from Martial was Anthony Griezmann.

Griezmann had listened quietly while Jin Taige spoke with Martial. When Jin Taige extended his hand, Griezmann quickly reached out to shake it.

"Pleasure to meet you, Mr. Jin Taige."

Jin Taige smiled. "Anthony, you played very well today. Every time you had the ball, my heart was in my throat."

Griezmann smiled faintly. "Mr. Jin Taige, you give me too much credit. I didn't score or provide an assist today, and your team still won. I should be congratulating you."

Jin Taige shook his head. "That's not quite right. You created several opportunities during the game. If players like Martial, Giggs, or Mahrez were on the receiving end of those passes, the final score might have looked different. You're an excellent player—you just haven't found the right stage or the right teammates to fully showcase your abilities."

Griezmann's heart stirred at these words. Something deep inside seemed to awaken, lifting the weight of his recent frustrations. His mind raced with thoughts.

Yes, if I had been on Martial's team today, I could have performed just as well.

Noticing Griezmann's silence, Jin Taige muttered to himself, "What a shame that Manchester United's youth academy doesn't have a forward like Anthony. If we had someone like him, our path to the Treble would be even smoother."

The three continued chatting until Eliza ran over.

"Dad, come back the cold dishes have arrived."

Jin Taige stood up and turned to Martial and Griezmann. "I'll head back now. Enjoy your meal. Goodbye."

Back at the family table, Winna asked, "Were those two players from your team?"

Jin Taige smiled. "One is now. One will be."

By the window, Martial and Griezmann continued discussing Jin Taige.

"Your coach is interesting," Griezmann said.

Martial nodded. "Yeah, the boss is straightforward and enthusiastic. He knows how to connect with us, and his tactical understanding is incredible. I'm lucky to be playing under him."

Griezmann agreed. "He does seem genuine. Just a few words, and you can feel his honesty."

Martial suddenly remembered something. He leaned closer to Griezmann and lowered his voice.

"I have to tell you something. Before the last national team break, the boss asked me to observe you your technical skills, your personality and report back to him."

Griezmann raised his eyebrows. "I didn't realize Manchester United had a scout sitting next to me."

Martial chuckled. "I asked him at the time if he was planning to sign you. You know what he said?"

Griezmann's curiosity was piqued. "What did Mr. Jin Taige say?"

"He said: 'I have that intention.'"

Martial fell silent. Griezmann didn't speak either. He turned to glance at Jin Taige, who was happily sharing a meal with his wife and children.

Martial added softly, "Anthony, if you get the chance, come to Manchester United. The Royal Sociedad is too small for you. Only a club like Manchester United can help you reach your full potential."

Griezmann said nothing. He lowered his head, took a sip of sweet soup, and remained lost in thought.

On October 23, Manchester United defeated Real Sociedad 2–0. Three days later, on October 26, Jin Taige's team prepared to face Stoke City in the ninth round of the Premier League. Jin Taige was confident, believing his team could crush Stoke City at home.

However, the match left him bitterly disappointed.

Manchester United lost 0–2 at Old Trafford.

Stoke City's towering striker, Peter Crouch, scored both goals with headers.

Despite United's efforts, they couldn't find the net. Begović, Stoke's goalkeeper, delivered an exceptional performance denying Rooney's one-on-one chance and Van Persie's close-range shot. Martial, who started in place of Nani, played well, nearly scoring with a long-range strike that rattled the goalpost.

After the game, reporters asked Jin Taige for his thoughts.

"We were very unlucky today. Normally, at least three of those chances would have ended in goals. But this is football. It's a competitive sport. I have to say, though, the players performed well. It just wasn't our day. That's all."