As Ethan slowly drove his BMW into his residential complex, he saw a man and a woman chatting near the apartment building in the distance.
The man was stretching occasionally, but the neck brace he wore made his movements less fluid, while the woman stood beside him talking.
When they saw Ethan's car approaching, they immediately looked over.
"How are you, Miss Scarlett? Are you off today?" Ethan asked with a smile.
Scarlett was now a prominent figure in Manchester's football scene. She hosted three football-related television programs and worked as a columnist for the Manchester Evening News.
In just two years, she had achieved admirable success in Manchester and had become the dream woman of many male football fans.
Perhaps the only thing that had not changed was that she still lived on the third floor of this apartment building.
"I'm exhausted, so I decided to give myself a break.
"By the way, New Manchester United have brought in quite a few players this year. What's your goal?" Scarlett asked with a smile.
Ethan thought for a moment before smiling and asking in return, "What do you think?"
"The title?" Scarlett asked with a smile.
Ethan tilted his head. "Were this an official interview, I would say, 'Miss Scarlett, please interview our newly appointed head coach, Mr. José Mourinho.'"
His humorous tone even made Kaká, who was standing behind Scarlett, chuckle.
Scarlett also laughed softly.
She never quite knew what to do with Ethan. Sometimes, he was like a live wire, and no one could figure out what he was thinking.
Still, there was no denying that he was an extremely capable and talented person.
That was evident from what he had accomplished over the past two years and the success he had achieved in managing New Manchester United.
"Brighton, Cardiff, Hull City, Rochdale, Plymouth, and Blackpool are all strong professional clubs and serious contenders for promotion from League Two this year.
"I've spoken with many experienced football journalists, and some of them believe this season's League Two campaign will be the most competitive in history."
Ethan did not dare judge that claim too quickly, but simply looking at the future of the clubs Scarlett had listed was enough to show how fierce the competition would be.
Rochdale, for example, were an established League Two side. They had spent twenty or thirty years hovering around mid-table without being promoted or relegated.
Their familiarity with League Two was their greatest advantage. Since the club was also based in Greater Manchester, they were quite familiar with New Manchester United.
Brighton were another formidable opponent, especially after wealthy investors had injected capital into the club.
They had recruited heavily, and their strength had improved significantly.
In Ethan's previous life, they won the League Two title this season.
After earning promotion to League One, they won the title again the following year and were promoted to the Championship, although they were unfortunately relegated in their first season there.
It was easy to foresee that Brighton would be one of New Manchester United's strongest opponents over the next two years.
Hull City were competing in the Premier League when Ethan transmigrated, while Cardiff and Plymouth would rise rapidly over the next few years.
After earning successive promotions within three years, they entered League One and remained there, becoming strong contenders in the division.
Although they had never been promoted to the Premier League, their strength could not be underestimated.
It was worth mentioning that Plymouth and Portsmouth were not the same club.
The former were nicknamed the Pilgrims, while the latter were known as Pompey.
Portsmouth were currently competing in the Championship and would remain there until earning promotion to the Premier League in 2003.
Blackpool, nicknamed the Tangerines, had been relegated the previous year and were determined to return to League One this season.
In addition to those clubs, Chesterfield, Hartlepool, Leyton Orient, Cheltenham, and several others were also capable of challenging for promotion.
Under the League Two promotion rules, the top three clubs were promoted automatically.
The teams finishing fourth through seventh competed in the playoffs for the final promotion place, so it was clear that this League Two season would be extremely difficult.
"Then how do they rate New Manchester United?" Ethan asked with a smile. He enjoyed hearing other people's assessments.
Were they positive, he would be pleased. Were they negative, he would prove them wrong with results later.
"Relegation!" Scarlett replied, although she shook her head with a smile, clearly believing Ethan's ambitions were not so modest.
"What's your goal, Ethan?" Scarlett pressed when she saw him smiling without answering.
"Didn't our head coach already say it?"
"To make every other club fight for second place?" Scarlett asked with a smile.
Ethan nodded. "His words are exactly what I wanted to say."
"Then how confident are you?" Scarlett continued, unwilling to let the matter drop.
"Originally, I thought we had a fifty percent chance. But after hearing what you just said, I would say it's at least seventy percent. It proves none of our opponents are paying much attention to us, and that will be our greatest advantage!"
After speaking, Ethan checked the time.
It was almost time to leave, so he waved to Kaká, who was standing behind Scarlett. Kaká immediately followed Ethan into the car.
Watching Ethan's BMW slowly drive out of the complex, Scarlett's lips curved into a smile.
She felt that Ethan was still the same Ethan. His continued success had neither made him arrogant nor caused him to become complacent.
"Are your ambitions really set on the Premier League and Europe? Then I'll be very happy to watch you and New Manchester United reach that level!"
...
"Ricardo, you can take the bus to the training base by yourself from now on.
"There are many young players there who are close to your age. Professor Fryer and the others also spend most of their time there. Should you have any questions, you can go directly to them.
"You can also train there while recovering your fitness, but you'll have to wait until Professor Johnson gives you permission."
Ethan spoke to Kaká, who was sitting beside him, as he drove.
Ethan greatly admired the Brazilian star.
He believed Kaká possessed many admirable qualities. He was handsome, humble, devoted to his faith, and exceptionally talented on the pitch.
Having a player like him remain at New Manchester United would be incredible.
"Are Leo and Ribeiro there too?" Kaká asked.
Since Kaká occasionally went to the hospital for checkups at the same time as Messi, the two had gradually become friends.
As for Ribeiro, he had visited Kaká before because they were both Brazilian, so they also had a good relationship.
"Of course. Leo is currently the most outstanding player in our academy, while Ribeiro is the midfield core of his team. Naturally, they're both there. You'll see them shortly!"
"That's the Newton Heath training base!"
As they reached the outskirts of the Newton Heath training base, Ethan pointed toward the walls lined with greenery.
Kaká followed Ethan's gesture and was immediately surprised. It was difficult to find such a large training base in Brazil.
"Do the youth teams and the first team all train here?" Kaká asked.
Ethan nodded. "Some of the youth teams also train at nearby schools, but you obviously can't join their training yet, even after your injury heals."
"Why?" Kaká was somewhat confused. He had not touched a football for a long time.
"Because you're too thin, Ricardo.
"You know the English game places great emphasis on physical challenges. With such a slight build, you'll find it difficult to adapt to the style here.
"Look at Messi. His physique is decent for his age, but you're much thinner than he is."
With the laboratory's help over the past two years, Messi had indeed become much stronger.
Although he had not yet met the standards set by Professor Derek and Professor Fryer, he could at least compete physically with players his own age.
Most remarkably, the training and dietary plans Professor Derek and Professor Fryer had designed for him had not affected Messi's technique or speed in the slightest.
On the contrary, laboratory tests showed that Messi was faster than when he had first arrived. His technique had become more refined, while the speed of his movements had increased significantly, leading to increasingly impressive performances on the pitch.
Although Ethan was not particularly worried about scouts from other clubs poaching Messi, he had still taken the precaution of signing him to a contract.
Ishmael Miller and Michael Johnson, two other outstanding talents in New Manchester United's academy, had also signed contracts at the same time.
After hearing Ethan's words, Kaká looked a little disappointed.
São Paulo had also raised the issue and suggested that he undergo a physical strengthening program, but he had unexpectedly suffered an injury before it could begin.
"However, Ricardo, I'll ask Professor Derek and Professor Fryer to design a specific diet and training plan for you.
"You're close to Leo, so you should know that he is the result of the focused development provided by our laboratory. You can do it too!"
"Really?" Kaká's face lit up with delight.
"Of course. The plans developed by our laboratory are different from conventional programs.
"Most things remain normal. You won't be deliberately required to spend hours in the gym or undergo separate physical conditioning. Everything resembles regular training, but it is arranged more scientifically and targets specific areas."
That was also why Essien, Messi, Ismail, Michael Johnson, and the others diligently followed the laboratory's plans. The training sessions were not boring at all. Some of them even felt like games.
With the addition of Faria, an expert in ball-based training, the laboratory was currently studying how to incorporate more work with the ball and make the sessions even more enjoyable.
After driving alongside the tree-lined wall for a while, Ethan and Kaká arrived at the entrance to the training base.
The elderly security guard quickly opened the gate when he saw Ethan's car and greeted him. Ethan responded with a wave.
After parking in front of the administrative building, Ethan led Kaká toward the training area.
Since Kaká had been wearing training clothes supplied by the club throughout his recovery, they headed directly toward the training pitches. However, Ethan did not enter the first-team area and instead walked around its perimeter.
Hearing the shouts and cheers from the training ground, Kaká looked toward the first-team pitch and saw a middle-aged man in training gear standing on the touchline, gesturing and shouting instructions to the players on the field.
It was the first time he had seen Mourinho!
(To be continued.)