Michael Johnson's family had lived in Manchester for more than ten years, but they were die-hard Leeds United supporters. They had always dreamed of sending Michael to Leeds United's youth academy for training.
However, both Mr. and Mrs. Johnson worked in Manchester, and although Leeds United was in Leeds, which was not far away, Michael was only 10 years old, and they were not comfortable letting him live on his own.
Originally, they had been considering Manchester City, so when Manchester City's youth academy was recruiting, they specifically took Michael there for a trial. He impressed immediately, and they wanted to sign him as an apprentice, but at that very moment, Johnson was urgently transferred to Liverpool for work.
Should they remain in Manchester, or should the whole family move to Liverpool together?
The Johnson family hesitated, but at that very moment, New Manchester United came knocking.
Andy Walsh and Jim Cassel's first visit did not get the answer they wanted, because Johnson was mainly considering Manchester City. After all, it was an established professional club, while New Manchester United was only a small, newly founded team. Anyone would know which one to choose.
Over the next few days, Walsh and Cassel visited several more times, but they still could not persuade the Johnsons. It seemed they had already decided to take Michael to Liverpool, and they had even contacted a club there, planning to arrange a trial once they arrived.
But at this moment, young Curtis, having heard the news from somewhere, returned to school and found Michael Johnson. No one knew what the two of them said to each other.
What happened next left everyone dumbfounded.
First, the Johnsons took the initiative to contact New Manchester United, saying they hoped to talk again.
Out of respect for Michael Johnson, Ethan and Bruce went personally this time to sit down and talk with the Johnsons. During the conversation, Ethan explained his determination to run the club and his emphasis on developing young players, repeatedly assuring them that the club would provide the best football environment for Michael.
Bruce and Cassel also expressed during the conversation how highly the club rated Michael Johnson, as well as their plans for his future. For example, starting next year, he would join the club's 11 to 14 age group in regional youth competitions, while of course continuing his studies at Windsor.
"Frankly speaking, Mr. Yu, my wife and I originally hoped Michael could go to Liverpool with us. We even contacted Everton there. But just last night, Michael took the initiative to speak with me. He said he really wants to stay in Manchester because he has very good friends here, and he doesn't want to leave!"
As he said this, Johnson looked helpless and gave a bitter smile. "You know, I'm a Leeds United supporter. I hoped my son could join Leeds United, but if joining New Manchester United makes him happy, then I won't object!"
"Please rest assured, Mr. Johnson. Our club will do everything we can to take good care of every player. That is my promise to you!" Ethan said very seriously.
Just like that, Michael Johnson, accompanied by his parents, signed an apprentice contract with New Manchester United and officially became a member of the New Manchester United youth academy.
However, in a completely different situation from Michael Johnson's, Ishmael Miller flatly refused to join New Manchester United.
The Miller family were loyal Manchester City supporters, so they had sent Miller to Manchester City's youth academy for a trial early on, but the club had not thought highly of him. This was a huge blow to Ishmael. From then on, he became somewhat obsessive. He did not believe he was inferior to others, so he had to prove everywhere that he was better than everyone else.
In recent years, as Ishmael's body developed, his football ability had also improved by leaps and bounds. Especially at Cambridge School, he was practically the Batistuta of the primary school side.
When New Manchester United came calling, the Millers were still surprised, because they had long since stopped placing much hope in Ishmael's football future. So when New Manchester United proposed that Ishmael join, they agreed almost without hesitation.
For an ordinary working-class family, joining New Manchester United meant receiving the club's training, while the club would also be responsible for Ishmael's schooling, training, and even meals, which was a considerable help to them.
But Ishmael clearly did not see it that way.
"I'm not going to New Manchester United!" the boy refused almost without hesitation.
"Why?" Mr. Miller stood up in surprise.
Ishmael pointed at Ethan and the others. "They've got a terrible centre-back in that team. That guy is too dirty. He only knows how to foul when he plays. I won't be teammates with someone like that. I want to join Manchester City. I have to beat him!"
"But Manchester City doesn't want you!" Mr. Miller was a little anxious. His son joining New Manchester United would be a major help to the family.
"They will take me!" Ishmael said confidently.
Sitting to one side, Ethan could not help letting out a cold laugh.
"What are you laughing at?" Ishmael asked unhappily.
"I'm laughing at you. Even if you went there now, Manchester City still wouldn't want you. And to be honest, Jim, I think we should reconsider whether this kid is suitable for us, or rather, whether he's suitable to be a footballer at all."
Ethan's words took Cassel by surprise. Why had things changed so suddenly?
Before he could think further, Ethan quickly continued.
"Do you know who our first-team manager is? Steve Bruce, the legendary Manchester United centre-back. Curtis was coached by him personally. He is a future star of our club, and he has already started training with our first team. You think he plays dirty? Then let me tell you, professional football is like this. To win, you use every means you can!"
"You can go to Manchester City. Maybe they really will spot your talent and give you a chance. But in Manchester City's youth academy, there are outstanding talents from all over the country, even from all over Europe. Every one of them has strength and talent no less than Curtis. If you go there, I'm afraid no one can say for sure whether you'll even make it."
"As for our club, it may be small, but we are fully confident that we can reach the professional leagues within five years. By then, Curtis will be a mainstay in our side, and maybe he will even be selected for the national youth team. And what about you? You will only keep sinking in the fierce competition at Manchester City's youth academy. Let me ask you, what would you have to beat Curtis with?"
Ethan's words instantly left Ishmael speechless. He was only an 11-year-old child. Although his personality was relatively mature, it was impossible for him to think about things as comprehensively as an adult. But hearing Ethan say all this, he was immediately shaken.
Thinking about it carefully, it was true. Manchester City had not wanted him before. Even if he went there now and was barely selected, they would not focus on developing him. And by then, the Manchester City academy would be packed with talented players. Who knew whether he could make it there?
On the other hand, if he joined New Manchester United, Ethan had promised to prioritise his development and give him as much support as possible. In that sense, joining New Manchester United might actually give him a better chance to stand out.
Seeing that Ishmael was no longer as firm as before, Ethan quickly pressed his advantage and added more fuel to the fire.
"And let me add one more thing. Even if you join our team, you can still compete with Curtis. Not just Curtis either. Let me tell you, Leo Messi, that Argentine boy from the other day, has even greater football talent than you. You can have healthy competition with them. You'll have the chance to go up against them every day!"
"That's right, Ishmael, and New Manchester United is close to home. If you went to Carrington, wouldn't you have to live there?" Mr. Miller also chimed in.
Manchester City and Manchester United's training grounds were both in Carrington, and it was said that they were right next to each other. Ethan had once heard a joke that when a player was playing for Manchester City, he kicked the ball away in training, and his teammates teased him by telling him to go over to the Manchester United side and fetch it.
That showed just how close the two clubs' training grounds were.
Newton Heath was in the east of Manchester, while Carrington was in the west, and the distance between them was considerable. If he really joined Manchester City, commuting back and forth every day would be almost impossible.
Seeing that Ishmael was no longer opposing it as strongly as before, Mr. Miller, who understood his son's temperament well, smiled, greeted Ethan, and then sent his son away before discussing Ishmael's entry into New Manchester United's youth academy. They signed the contract that very same day.
...
Under the previous cooperation agreement between Ethan and several schools in Newton Heath, the club would arrange for a vehicle to collect these children after school each day and bring them to training. Since Windsor was closer to Newton Heath, Curtis and the others studying there were met directly by the club's youth coach and walked over.
When the minibus collecting the young players stopped outside the training ground, Ishmael, who was attending training for the first time, was the first to get off. He walked straight into the training ground without the slightest shyness and immediately found Curtis, who was training with the first team. Messi and Michael Johnson were warming up on another pitch.
Ishmael walked directly toward Curtis, and Curtis, along with the other first-team players nearby, noticed this young player who was taller than his peers.
He stopped in front of Curtis, stared at him, and said, "London boy, from today onward, I definitely won't let you have an easy time!"
The people around them were stunned at first, then burst into laughter.
"Bring it on, Cambridge boy. I'll be waiting for you!" Curtis glared right back, showing no fear of the challenge at all.
As a newly joined youth player, Ishmael was not given the privilege of training with the first team, so after repeated urging from the youth coach, he had no choice but to leave the first-team pitch and return to the youth team's pitch. Although there was only a wire fence between them, it felt like two completely different worlds.
From a distance, Ethan saw everything and shook his head, not knowing whether to laugh or be annoyed. These two would definitely cause him trouble in the future, but he felt that this kind of fiery rivalry would do a lot to push their development.
However, it was not only Curtis and Ishmael who were fired up. Steve Bruce and Jim Cassel were too.
As Ethan walked toward the office, he heard a fierce argument coming from inside long before he reached the door.
(To be continued.)