5. The Poacher’s Mark

September 25, 2019, Old Trafford, Manchester

The Old Trafford floodlights blazed, 73,000 fans roaring as Manchester United faced League One Rochdale in the EFL Cup third round.

Neil Goyal, 17, sat on the bench, heart pounding, his Legendary Football System humming with potential: Off The Ball (12), Composure (8), Determination (9), First Touch (10), Finishing (16).

Channeling Filippo Inzaghi's poacher instincts from his 2025 Football Manager days, Neil's focus on Off The Ball and Finishing made him a predator in waiting.

The system's objectives: Debut and score, loomed large:

Debut in EFL Cup: 2 S.P., Score in Debut: 2 S.P.

Rochdale's grit frustrated United's attack. Mason Greenwood and Jesse Lingard misfired, the score locked at 0-0.

Neil's Off The Ball (12) itched to exploit gaps, his eyes tracking every move. At half-time, Ole Gunnar Solskjær's voice cut through the locker room. "Goyal, you're on for Lingard. Show me that spark." Neil's breath caught, his Determination (9) surging.

The system pinged:

Objective Progress: Debut Imminent.

The second half began, Old Trafford's roar hitting Neil like a tidal wave as he stepped onto the pitch. Wearing number 47, he felt every eye on him, a reborn striker from 2025, living his dream.

Rochdale's defense, compact and dogged, offered little space. Neil's Off The Ball (12) guided him, lurking on the last defender's shoulder, Inzaghi-style. A long ball from Brandon Williams came early, but his First Touch (10) bobbled, the chance snuffed out.

In the 55th minute, Rochdale struck. Luke Matheson, their 16-year-old right-back, surged forward, his cross deflected into the net by Paul Pogba's errant clearance.

1-0 Rochdale.

The crowd groaned, stunned. Neil's Composure (8) wavered, but his Determination (9) roared back. This is my moment, he thought, channeling Inzaghi's knack for turning games.

A chance came in the 62nd minute. Juan Mata's pass split the defense. Neil darted, his Off The Ball (12) carving a perfect angle. The ball reached him, his First Touch (10) flawless.

Facing the keeper, time slowed. Composure (8). He struck low, his Finishing (16) sending the ball past Robert Sánchez's dive.

Old Trafford erupted, Neil's first career goal igniting the stands.

The system chimed:

Objective Complete:

Debut in EFL Cup. +2 S.P.

First Career Goal: +2 S.P.

Teammates mobbed him, Rashford grinning. "That's it, kid!"

Neil's hunger grew. In the 78th minute, Pogba's long ball found him. Rochdale's defenders hesitated, misjudging his run. His Off The Ball (12) put him clear, a step ahead. The keeper rushed out, but Neil's Finishing (16) was surgical.

A dinked chip over Sánchez, nestling into the net.

2-1 United.

The crowd roared, chanting "Goyal! Goyal!"

The system pinged:

Second Goal in Match: +1 S.P.

Neil sprinted to the Stretford End, fists pumping, living his Inzaghi dream.

United held firm, Neil's goals sealing a 2-1 victory, no penalties needed. Solskjær clapped him off at full-time, his boyish smile wide. "You're a proper poacher, Neil. Keep that fire."

Fans on Twitter(known as X today) exploded: "Goyal's the next Inzaghi! Two goals on debut!" The system's 5 S.P. glowed, a reward for his heroics.

September 25, 2019, Evening, Manchester United Dormitory

Exhausted but buzzing, Neil collapsed onto his bunk, the system's interface flickering into view. Five S.P. awaited allocation, his stats poised for growth: Off The Ball (12), Finishing (16). Inzaghi's template guided him—movement and finishing were a striker's soul.

He allocated three S.P. to Off The Ball, raising it to (15), a surge of spatial awareness flooding his instincts. The final two S.P. went to Finishing, pushing it to (18), his shots now feeling like guided missiles.

His updated stats read: Off The Ball (15), Composure (8), Determination (9), First Touch (10), Finishing (18), all others at 7.

The system pinged: New Objective: Make Premier League Debut vs. West Ham. Reward: 3 S.P.

Neil stared at the ceiling, Old Trafford's chants echoing in his mind. His debut had changed everything: two goals, a United hero at 17. Back in 2025, he'd been a fan dreaming of this. Now, with Inzaghi's instincts and the system's power, Neil Goyal's legacy was blazing to life.