3. Edge of Glory
August 31, 2019, Carrington Training Ground, Manchester
Neil Goyal stood in the Carrington locker room, his breath shallow as Ole Gunnar Solskjær prepared to announce Manchester United's squad for the Southampton match.
The past week of first-team training had been a whirlwind, his Legendary Football System pushing his stats to new heights: Off The Ball (8), Composure (8), Determination (8), First Touch (10), Finishing (10).
His Football Manager obsession in 2025 had taught him a striker's essentials—positioning, coolness, grit, ball control, and lethal finishing. At 17, Neil was inches from a Premier League matchday squad, the system pinging:
Objective: Make the Matchday Squad vs. Southampton.
Reward: 2 S.P.
Neil summoned the system's interface, eyeing his two unallocated Stat Points from training tenacity. His FM instincts urged him to boost Determination, but he held off, sensing the Southampton game could define his week.
Solskjær's voice cut through his thoughts. "Goyal, you're not in today, but you're close. Keep at it." Neil's stomach dropped, but his Determination (8) sparked. He'd return to the youth squad, ready to fight for his spot.
August 31, 2019, Evening, Manchester United Youth Dormitory
The Southampton match ended in a frustrating 1-1 draw, Daniel James' screamer canceled by Vestergaard's header. Neil watched on a dormitory TV, analyzing United's attack.
Without Anthony Martial, Rashford looked isolated, Southampton's low block stifling creativity.
Neil's FM knowledge kicked in—he'd seen this in 2019-20, United's struggle against compact defenses. His Off The Ball (8) could've found gaps, he thought, frustration mixing with resolve.
Back in his bunk, Neil opened the system. Rashford's advice from training echoed: "Work on that first touch." But First Touch was already 10, a strength.
Determination, though, was a striker's soul in FM—grit to chase lost causes, to shine under pressure. He allocated one S.P. to Determination, pushing it to 9.
A fire flared in his chest, his resolve hardening. He saved the second point, eyeing Composure or Finishing next. The system pinged:
New Objective: Score in Next Youth Match.
Reward: 1 S.P.
September 1-6, 2019, Carrington
The international break emptied Carrington's first-team pitches, with stars like Pogba and Rashford off on national duty.
Neil stayed behind, training with youth players and reserves under coach Kieran McKenna. Solskjær's high-pressing drills left him gasping, his Stamina (7) a glaring weakness.
In a 5v5 scrimmage, he linked with Mason Greenwood, his First Touch (10) cushioning a fast pass. His shot, though, clipped the bar, Finishing (10) wasn't infallible.
McKenna pulled him aside. "You're moving well, Neil, but anticipate faster. Read the play." Neil nodded, his FM brain replaying United's Southampton draw.
He practiced runs, his Off The Ball (8) helping him ghost past markers. By September 5, a shooting drill saw him curl a shot past a reserve keeper, his Composure (8) steady.
The system chimed:
Objective: Impress in Training. +1 S.P.
Neil saved it, his pool now at two points, waiting for the right moment.
September 7, 2019, Manchester United U18 vs. Everton U18, Carrington
The youth match against Everton U18s was Neil's chance to shine. Old Trafford loomed in his mind. Solskjær had promised to scout youth performances during the break.
The system's objective, score a goal burned in his thoughts. Under gray Manchester skies, the pitch buzzed with intensity, Everton's defense compact like Southampton's.
The game started fast. Neil, up top for United, struggled early, his Strength (7) no match for Everton's burly center-back.
A long ball from Brandon Williams found him, but his First Touch (10) bobbled under pressure, drawing groans from teammates. Focus, he told himself, his Determination (9) kicking in. He pressed high, winning a loose ball, his Work Rate (7) relentless.
In the 30th minute, a chance ignited. Angel Gomes, dancing through midfield, lofted a pass. Neil sprinted, his Off The Ball (8) carving a gap between defenders.
The ball dropped, and time slowed. Composure 8. Memories of 2025—cheering United from a Mumbai pub—flashed by.
He struck it cleanly, his Finishing (10) sending the ball rocketing past the keeper. The small crowd roared, teammates mobbing him.
The system pinged:
Objective Complete: Score in Youth Match. +1 S.P.
Neil wasn't done. In the 65th minute, he latched onto a rebound, his Acceleration (7) just enough to reach it. Facing the keeper, his Composure (8) held, but his shot hit the post.
Undeterred, his Determination (9) drove him to chase a loose ball, setting up Greenwood for a tap-in.
The system rewarded him:
Assist in Youth Match: +1 S.P.
United won 2-1, and Neil's performance sparked whispers among coaches. Solskjær, watching from the sidelines, scribbled notes.
September 8-13, 2019, Carrington
The first team returned, Carrington buzzing as United prepared for Leicester City. Neil rejoined senior training, his youth match heroics earning a nod from Solskjær. "Good work, Goyal," he said. "Show me that fire again." Neil's heart soared, the system pinging:
New Objective: Make the Matchday Squad vs. Leicester.
Reward: 2 S.P.
Training was brutal. Pogba's passes zipped like bullets, testing Neil's First Touch (10). In a 7v7 scrimmage, he linked with Daniel James, his Off The Ball (8) finding space.
His shot, though, was smothered by De Gea, his Finishing (10) thwarted. Rashford clapped him on. "Keep moving, kid. You're getting there." Neil grinned, his Determination (9) unyielding.
On September 12, alone in the dormitory, Neil opened the system. With four S.P. banked, he considered his next move.
Finishing was his edge, and FM taught him a striker's job was to score. He allocated two points to Finishing, pushing it to (12), a surge of precision flooding his instincts.
He saved the remaining two, eyeing Composure for clutch moments. His stats now read: Off The Ball (8), Composure (8), Determination (9), First Touch (10), Finishing (12).
September 13, 2019, Evening, Carrington
The Leicester match loomed, Old Trafford's stage calling. Neil sat in the team meeting, Solskjær outlining tactics—Leicester's Vardy would test their defense, and United needed spark up top.
Neil's FM knowledge recalled this game: a 1-0 win, Rashford's penalty. Could he influence it? His Composure (8) steadied his nerves, but his low Stamina (7) worried him for a late cameo.
As he packed his kit, Greenwood nudged him. "You're in the mix, mate. I can feel it." Neil smiled, his Determination (9) blazing.
The system's objective: make the squad against Leicester, hung in the air. Old Trafford awaited, and Neil Goyal, a reborn striker from 2025, was ready to seize his moment.