Barnsley 0. Manchester United 0.
Forty five minutes had passed. They had survived. They had blocked shots with their faces. They had run until their lungs burned.
But survival was not enough.
Michael Sterling stood in the center of the room. He looked at his players.
They were tired.
Kenji Sato was pouring water over his head. The Japanese Engine was steaming like a kettle.
Shaun Higgins was sitting on the floor. His knees were covered in mud and blood. He looked like a soldier who had just walked out of a trench.
Tom the young academy defender was shaking. His hands were trembling as he drank from a bottle. He was eighteen years old and he was marking Marcus Rashford.
Michael waited. He let the silence build.
He did not shout. He did not throw a water bottle like Sir Alex Ferguson.
He spoke softly.
"Look at me."
The players looked up.
"Do you know what they are saying in their dressing room right now?" Michael asked.
