Manchester United's U18s had secured a resounding 6–0 win over Liverpool on their rivals' own training ground.
Now, on the return bus to Manchester, the mood was electric.
Laughter and chatter filled the cabin as the young players celebrated their victory, their energy infectious.
Sitting at the front of the bus, coach McGuinness couldn't help but smile.
For a moment, surrounded by youthful joy, the 63-year-old felt a decade younger.
But beneath the smile, his mind was busy.
He was already thinking about how to recommend Alessandro to Sir Alex Ferguson.
Only one match in the youth team, he thought. That's all it took.
Alessandro didn't need more youth matches.
This level was too easy for him—child's play, really.
If they kept him here for too long, he might even start picking up bad habits from the slower pace and lack of pressure.
His flaws were obvious—rough technical basics, average ball control—but his strengths were undeniable.
His positioning, defensive instincts, and game reading? Elite. His physicality and stamina? Already first-team level.
McGuinness took a deep breath.
"He needs to go straight to the first team."
Beside him, assistant coach Bincers nodded.
"I agree. But the question is—will Sir Alex give him the chance?"
---
Alessandro, sitting halfway down the bus, had no idea that the coaches were already plotting his fast-track promotion.
But he didn't need them to tell him—he could feel it.
The youth team wasn't challenging anymore.
These players couldn't match his rhythm or read his passes. With his vision and anticipation, it felt like he was playing against children.
Eventually, the post-match energy faded, and the bus quieted down as they cruised down the motorway, following the canal back toward Manchester.
Alessandro took the opportunity to open his system.
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> Main Mission Completed!
Grade: A
Rewards: [Basic Passing] unlocked + 1 Free Physical Attribute Point
---
He nearly cheered out loud.
Passing!
That was exactly what he needed.
As a midfielder, accurate passing was a core skill—and now, paired with his incredible anticipation, he could control the rhythm of a game even more effectively.
With a grin, he added the single physical point he'd earned to his Explosiveness stat.
It was his fourth point in that attribute. Boosting his first step, reaction speed, and short-range recovery gave him a massive edge on both ends of the pitch.
Then came the next mission prompt:
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> New Main Mission:
Play for Manchester United's First Team within 1 month!
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Alessandro's eyes narrowed.
One month… First team?
That was ambitious. Difficult, yes—but not impossible.
He leaned back, resting his head against the window.
His thoughts drifted—not to fear or doubt, but to longing.
He could already see it: the roar of Old Trafford, the clash of titans in the Premier League, and the moment his name rang out in the stadium.
He wasn't afraid.
He wanted it.
---
Elsewhere...
The lush green fields of Arsenal's Colney training ground glistened in the afternoon sun.
Inside the manager's office, Arsène Wenger leaned forward, eyes glued to a screen.
He was silent as he watched a clip of Alessandro making a clean tackle, then immediately transitioning into a long-range counterattack.
The video ended, but Wenger didn't move.
He had already watched it twice.
Alessandro's performance had stunned him.
Positional awareness. Tactical maturity. Composure under pressure. Bone-crunching one-on-one defending. And that rocket of a long shot...
This kid isn't just special—he's dominant.
Compared to the other players on the pitch, Alessandro looked like he came from another dimension.
Wenger's eye for talent was razor-sharp.
He could tell instantly: youth football wasn't enough for this boy. He needed to be tested on a real stage.
A knock came at the door.
One of his scouts stepped in, handing over a report.
"Alessandro Dybala. Seventeen. Dual nationality—Spanish and Chinese. Recently signed by Manchester United."
The scout hesitated. "It might be too late, boss. He's already on their books."
Wenger let out a sigh.
Snatched by United... again.
Stealing a promising youngster from under Ferguson's nose?
That was risky.
But Wenger wasn't about to give up.
"Get the head of transfers in here," he said firmly, rising from his chair.
"We need to make an offer. Quietly."
He knew the danger.
If Ferguson even sniffed Arsenal's interest, the door would slam shut.
But if they hesitated—just a few weeks, a few days—it might be too late forever.
Just like all the other stars Wenger had missed over the years.
As the scout left, Wenger's eyes returned to the frozen image on the screen.
Alessandro, standing tall after a successful interception, was already running the other way—eyes scanning for the next pass.
Wenger stared for a long moment.
That build... that mentality...
In his mind, the boy's silhouette overlapped with another memory.
A towering figure in midfield. Tough. Commanding. Ruthless in duels.
Patrick Vieira.
Wenger didn't say it aloud.
But in his heart, the fire had already been lit.
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