Chapter 15 – A Foot in the Door
September 18, 2012
Venue: Old Trafford
Competition: Carabao Cup – Third Round
Opponent: Burton Albion - League Two Club
The sky above Old Trafford was a soft shade of silver, low clouds brushing the top of the East Stand as drizzle gently fell. The kind of weather that made you want to stay indoors — unless you were playing under the lights.
Unless you were playing for Manchester United.
Alex Marshall zipped up his warm-up jacket as he stood on the edge of the pitch, heart thrumming as the announcer echoed through the stadium.
"Starting for Manchester United... Number 42... Alex Marshall!"
It still didn't feel real.
Pre-Match Jitters
"Keep it simple," said Tom Cleverley, patting him on the back in the tunnel. "You don't need to do anything flashy."
"Unless it's a rabona nutmeg into a backheel volley," Kagawa added with a grin.
"Don't listen to Shinji," chuckled Darren Fletcher, captain for the day. "Just get stuck in and play your game."
Alex nodded, bouncing on his heels. He could feel the System humming — not talking, just… there. Watching.
Manchester United Starting XI – 4-2-3-1
GK: Anders Lindegaard
RB: Rafael
CB: Michael Keane
CB: Scott Wootton
LB: Alexander Büttner
CM: Darren Fletcher (C)
CM: Anderson
RW: Nani
CAM: Alex Marshall
LW: Shinji Kagawa
ST: Danny Welbeck
First Half – The Settling Storm
The whistle blew — and just like that, it was real.
Burton came out compact, a 4-4-1-1 setup built to frustrate. They pressed the ball early, trying to rattle United's younger players. Their midfielders, stocky and tireless, closed space aggressively. No glamour, just grit.
Alex felt the first touch of the ball — a sharp pass from Fletcher — and immediately laid it off to Anderson with one touch. Nothing fancy. Just rhythm.
But it built.
By the 10th minute, he started to roam. Drifting left, dragging a defender, he played a neat triangle with Büttner and Kagawa. On the next sequence, he ghosted into the space behind Burton's midfield and took a high pass on his chest — turning in one motion and slipping a clever ball between the lines.
Nani latched onto it, cut inside — curled — saved.
Old Trafford stirred.
In the 18th minute, United broke through.
Anderson sprayed it wide to Nani, who beat his man and crossed hard and low. Alex let it run — a perfect dummy — and Kagawa picked it up at the edge of the box.
One touch. Then a flick back to Alex.
He clipped a left-footed pass between two defenders — perfectly weighted — and Welbeck tapped it home.
GOAL! Manchester United 1 – 0 Burton Albion
The crowd clapped warmly. No explosion, just satisfaction. The ball had done the talking.
System Notification:
🎯 Assist Registered+150 XP (Playmaking – CAM)+4 Reputation (Club)Mentorship Boost: Wayne Rooney +2%
The next 15 minutes were tougher. Burton played rough — a clattering challenge left Anderson wincing. Alex was clipped twice but kept his feet.
One moment, he was double-teamed near the corner flag — he flicked the ball up and around with a backheel, darting between both defenders before winning a throw-in.
Even the linesman grinned.
Second Half – Earning Respect
Sir Alex hadn't made changes at the break.
"You've got more to give," said Phelan as they returned to the pitch. "Push higher. Be brave."
Burton came out slightly more adventurous — perhaps hoping to force an error. But it played into United's hands.
In the 58th minute, Fletcher intercepted a pass near halfway and quickly moved it to Anderson. Two quick passes later, and Alex was through the middle — driving into the final third.
He didn't hesitate.
Just outside the box, he shaped to shoot — then feinted, shifted left, and wrong-footed the defender. One touch. Bang.
Low drive. Far post. Net.
GOAL! Manchester United 2 – 0 Burton Albion
The roar came now. Not deafening — but appreciative. This was the real thing. And the goal? Calm. Clinical. Composed.
He didn't celebrate wildly. Just turned, pointed to the sky, then to the badge on his chest.
This time, we go all the way.
System Notification:
⚽ Goal Scored+200 XP (Finishing – CAM)+7 Reputation (Public & Club)Trait Progress: Composure +12%
Closing Moments
Burton never really threatened. Keane and Wootton held firm, Rafael had a strong second half, and Nani kept tormenting the full-back.
Welbeck nearly scored a second, only denied by a fingertip save.
In the 84th minute, Sir Alex made three subs, including Alex.
He walked off to applause, greeted by a smirking Rooney near the tunnel.
"Good finish," Wayne muttered. "But if you ever shoot when I'm open again, we're fighting."
Alex blinked.
Rooney smiled, wide and wolfish.
Post-Match – Dressing Room
Alex sat on the bench, soaking in the buzz. Fletcher dropped beside him.
"Well played, lad. And don't let Rooney scare you. He's always like that."
A knock on the door. Phelan stepped in.
"Gaffer wants a word tomorrow morning. One-on-one."
Alex looked up, pulse rising again.
System Summary – Match Report
🏆 Full Senior Match Played
Minutes: 84
1 Goal
1 Assist
91% Pass Accuracy
3 Key Passes
⚙ Development Path UpdatedNew Trait Progress: Composure (57/100)Mentorship Path: Rooney 18%
📣 Media Exposure IncreasedReputation (UK): Rising Wonderkid
Morning Headlines
"Local Lad, Lightning Feet — Alex Marshall Stars on Full Debut"– Manchester Evening News
I'll try to update daily for you guys.
For my motivation 100 stones = 1 bonus chapter