The holding midfielder occupies one of the most important positions in modern football.
An outstanding player at the base of midfield can hold an otherwise ordinary team together and help it achieve remarkable results.
By contrast, even a side filled with exceptional talent can fall short if it lacks a top-class presence in that position.
Those two possibilities demonstrated just how important the midfield pivot had become, particularly as modern football grew increasingly focused on efficiency and results.
Ethan had loved football in both of his lives.
Like any passionate supporter, he had his own idols, including Ronaldo, Zidane, and several others.
Whenever he thought about great holding midfielders, however, the first name that came to mind was Fernando Redondo.
For the previous two years, the fickle football media had almost forgotten him.
But Redondo had once been the greatest of them all.
A genuine superstar.
During the era when teams frequently relied on a single holding midfielder, Redondo had represented the position almost perfectly.
His interceptions and tackles possessed an almost artistic quality.
His command of the tempo, range of passing, intelligence, and ability to read matches had left countless supporters in awe.
He had been the near-perfect embodiment of the lone midfield pivot.
Modern football had since changed.
As teams became more cautious and increasingly emphasised control in midfield, systems using two deeper midfielders had become widespread.
New Manchester United were one example.
One player organised possession, while the other focused more heavily on tackling and breaking up attacks, although even the playmaker was still required to contribute defensively.
Ethan sometimes wondered what might have happened if Florentino Pérez had never allowed Redondo to leave Real Madrid.
A midfield pairing of Redondo and Makélélé might have allowed the first Galácticos side to accomplish even more than it had in reality.
Of course, that was only speculation.
Everyone knew the past could not be changed.
Since joining AC Milan, Redondo had not played a single competitive minute in two years.
He had spent almost the entire period fighting injuries.
At the beginning of that year, he had even informed Milan that the club should stop paying his salary until he was fit enough to represent them.
That was Fernando Redondo.
A man Ethan admired enormously, both as a footballer and as a person.
And now he was at Newton Heath.
...
When Ethan received Redondo's telephone call, he was stunned.
His hands had actually begun trembling.
He had never imagined that a player he admired so deeply would contact him.
Redondo was a genuine superstar.
The Red Rebels were still only a League One club.
However, Redondo had not called because he wanted to join New Manchester United.
Nor did he have any previous connection with Ethan.
He simply wanted permission to receive treatment at the Newton Heath sports science laboratory.
The recommendation had come from the renowned Belgian specialist Dr Martens.
Redondo had already undergone two operations on his injured knee, leaving the joint extremely fragile.
Martens believed another operation could end his career.
He therefore advised Redondo to pursue a more conservative programme of physiotherapy and rehabilitation.
He also recommended Professor Fryer, believing the specialists at New Manchester United might be able to help.
With AC Milan's approval, Redondo travelled to Manchester in search of a treatment that might allow him to return to the pitch.
He was already 33, but he still refused to abandon the possibility of playing again.
New Manchester United's laboratory had recently begun earning considerable recognition within the medical profession.
Professor Fryer and his colleagues had published several highly regarded papers on sports medicine, attracting attention from specialists throughout the world.
The laboratory remained relatively unknown within football itself, but in advanced sports medicine, its reputation was already substantial.
Diagnosis and rehabilitation were two of its greatest strengths.
The facility also contained several specialised departments, including the mental performance suite.
Its equipment was comprehensive and highly advanced.
Under Professor Fryer's leadership, the laboratory had assembled a remarkable collection of experts, each capable of working independently within his or her own field.
More importantly, they were all willing to remain at Newton Heath and serve the club.
Some outsiders might have assumed that a rival team could reproduce the laboratory simply by recruiting several of its specialists.
That was impossible.
The laboratory functioned as a complete and carefully integrated system.
Ethan had spent four years building it.
Every department was connected to the others, with each relying upon shared information, equipment, and procedures.
Even if another club recruited more than half of its specialists, it still could not create an identical operation.
Conversely, if New Manchester United lost several employees, the system could continue functioning as long as the club recruited suitable replacements in the necessary fields.
Ethan had also hired some of Google's finest software engineers to develop a dedicated platform for the laboratory.
The software belonged exclusively to the Red Rebels and could not be purchased by another club.
Those unique features made the laboratory seem mysterious from the outside.
They also gave it an exceptional reputation within sports medicine.
That reputation, in turn, allowed New Manchester United to attract even more outstanding specialists.
...
"Good morning, Fernando."
Ethan smiled as he approached the training ground.
Redondo had spent the previous few days undergoing examinations and assessments at the laboratory.
Professor Fryer was working intensively on a treatment programme.
Ethan was following the situation closely because Redondo remained one of his greatest footballing idols.
"Good morning, Mr Yu.
"I'm very sorry for causing so much trouble."
Redondo was referring to the rumours that had recently appeared in the press.
Reports claiming that he was about to join the Red Rebels had encouraged journalists to gather outside the gates of Newton Heath, desperately searching for confirmation.
"It isn't any trouble, Fernando," Ethan replied with a laugh.
"I'm perfectly happy for them to invent stories connecting you with us."
If the opportunity existed, Ethan genuinely would have signed Redondo.
Even if he could no longer play, Ethan would gladly have offered him a coaching position.
Given Redondo's achievements, intelligence, understanding of football, and personality, Ethan believed he could become an outstanding coach.
Holding midfielders often developed into excellent managers.
Rijkaard, Deschamps, and Guardiola were obvious examples.
"We intend to hold a press conference within the next few days and explain the situation properly," Ethan said.
"That should prevent the rumours from causing you any further inconvenience."
Redondo nodded.
"Of course. I'll cooperate with anything you need."
"How are you feeling today?" Ethan asked.
Redondo shook his head.
"Much the same.
"There is still pain.
"Professor Fryer believes it is the result of the two operations.
"The situation is complicated, and another operation would be too dangerous.
"It could force me to retire."
He looked towards the laboratory with admiration.
"The facilities here are extraordinary.
"They're comprehensive and extremely modern.
"One of the rehabilitation exercises Professor Fryer originally prescribed required me to train on a beach.
"But you have a large adjustable-depth pool here, which makes everything far easier."
"It's nothing, Fernando.
"The only thing that matters is helping you recover.
"By the way, the walking surface Professor Fryer requested is already being prepared.
"It will have two sections.
"One will be covered with soft rubber, and the other with smooth pebbles.
"It should be ready within a few days."
Redondo was visibly moved.
"I truly don't know how to thank you, Mr Yu."
"There's no need for that, Fernando.
"You're one of my idols.
"Should you still feel indebted, you could occasionally offer a little advice to some of the youngsters here.
"To them, you're one of the greatest players ever to occupy your position."
Redondo laughed.
He had not played for two years.
Many younger supporters had probably already forgotten him.
Just as many, however, still remembered and missed him.
That was unavoidable.
"The young man wearing number ten is impressive," Redondo said.
"His control is excellent, and he passes the ball well.
"He has good vision and already understands how to read certain situations.
"With the right guidance, he could become an outstanding midfielder.
"Players of that type are particularly rare in England."
"His name is Michael Johnson.
"He's a local lad and has trained with us since he was young.
"We believe he can become the future heart of our midfield.
"And the smaller boy over there is Argentinian.
"His name is Lionel Messi, and he happens to be a great admirer of yours."
"Really?"
Redondo's interest immediately increased.
He had not expected to meet a young compatriot in Manchester.
Ethan also called Rodrigo Palacio over to meet him before taking everyone on a tour of the academy training area.
Redondo's arrival immediately caused excitement among the academy players.
They crowded around him, eager to speak with one of Argentina's greatest midfielders.
After spending two years battling injuries and living away from the game, Redondo had rarely experienced such warmth.
He began chatting freely with the youngsters.
Because the proposed physiotherapy programme would take considerable time, Professor Fryer recommended that Redondo remain at Newton Heath.
That would allow the laboratory to monitor his condition closely and adjust his treatment whenever necessary.
Ethan immediately arranged accommodation for Redondo and his family in the club's residential development.
Their house was placed beside the Palacio family, allowing Redondo's wife and children to join him in Manchester and support him throughout his recovery.
Redondo was an idol to many of New Manchester United's players.
Besides completing the rehabilitation programme prescribed by Professor Fryer, he frequently visited the academy and offered advice to the youngsters.
He paid particular attention to Michael Johnson, whom he rated very highly.
It was obvious that Redondo wanted to repay New Manchester United for everything the club had done for him.
Seeing that, Ethan arranged for Essien and De Rossi to spend time learning from him as well.
The opportunity could only benefit them.
Many academy players also began seeking Redondo out whenever they wanted advice.
He had not touched a football properly for a long time.
Now, surrounded by players more than a generation younger than himself, he never became impatient.
Instead, he appeared genuinely happy.
He welcomed everyone, shared his experience freely, and helped them correct weaknesses in their technique, positioning, and habits.
Whenever Ethan passed the training pitches, he saw another group of youngsters gathered around Redondo.
The sight always filled him with anticipation.
Perhaps one day, New Manchester United would produce a midfield superstar of their own.
Someone capable of standing alongside Fernando Redondo.
(To be continued.)