Inside Professor Fryer's office at the sports science laboratory, Ethan, Redondo, and the Argentinian's personal doctor waited anxiously for the final assessment.
Professor Fryer's solemn expression already suggested that the news would not be encouraging.
"As a doctor, Fernando, I have to be honest with you.
"Your condition is extremely serious.
"Two operations in quick succession have placed an enormous strain on your knee, and the damage is considerable.
"Even if we manage to rehabilitate you successfully, I cannot guarantee how long you will be able to continue playing, particularly in a professional league with such an intense schedule and tempo.
"It may be another year or two.
"It may be only six months.
"In the worst-case scenario, you may not manage a single competitive appearance.
"Even high-intensity training could cause the knee to break down again."
Redondo had already expected a poor diagnosis.
Even so, hearing it stated so plainly left him devastated.
He lowered his head onto Professor Fryer's desk, unwilling to let anyone see his expression.
The proud Argentinian was clearly suffering.
Dr Martens had told him that if he wanted to avoid another operation, the Red Rebels' laboratory offered his best chance of recovery.
If even New Manchester United could not help him, then there was almost nowhere else to turn.
Another operation carried a serious risk of ending his career and leaving him with permanent problems.
His knee had already endured two major procedures in two years.
Who would dare recommend a third?
Redondo was now heavier than he had been during his playing career, partly because of medication and partly because he had been unable to train properly.
Had he not been so stubbornly determined, he would probably have retired long ago.
But he still longed to return to the pitch.
Ethan understood why.
AC Milan had paid a substantial fee to bring Redondo from Real Madrid to Italy, and the midfielder desperately wanted to repay them.
"What should I do, Professor?" Redondo finally asked.
Professor Fryer sighed and handed him a treatment plan.
"In addition to the existing work in the swimming pool and on the rubber-and-pebble walking surface, we will need to add several more rehabilitation exercises.
"As a doctor, my first responsibility is to protect the long-term health of your leg.
"Only after that can we consider whether it is possible to help you play again."
Redondo nodded without enthusiasm.
His personal doctor looked at him with obvious sadness.
"You've endured more than two years of this, only to reach this point.
"Is it really worth it, Fernando?"
Redondo gave his friend a bitter smile and patted his hand.
"I want to prove that I still have value.
"To me, it is worth it.
"If I can return to the pitch for even one match, then everything will have been worthwhile."
Ethan was deeply moved.
Even so, he did not believe Redondo should risk playing again.
His memories from his previous life told him that once Redondo returned, another operation and even more suffering would follow.
"Fernando, a footballer does not have to prove his worth only on the pitch," Ethan said.
"You could move into coaching.
"With your professionalism, your understanding of football, and everything you have learned during your career, you could develop many more outstanding players."
Redondo smiled bitterly but said nothing.
That single expression stirred a mixture of emotions within Ethan.
Redondo had been fiercely loyal to Real Madrid, yet Florentino Pérez had sold him to AC Milan for a substantial fee.
Some Real Madrid supporters had even threatened to take their own lives in protest at his departure.
Then, after arriving in Milan, Redondo had failed to play a single match because of injury.
Some people questioned whether the transfer had been part of a money-laundering arrangement.
Others even attacked Redondo's character.
Those accusations infuriated the proud Argentinian.
He eventually told Galliani that he would not accept another penny in wages until he was fit enough to play for Milan.
From that moment onwards, he fought desperately to return.
He wanted another chance to prove himself.
After enduring two years of nightmarish rehabilitation, he had come too far to surrender when he felt he was only one final step away.
"All right, Professor," Ethan said at last.
"We will respect Fernando's decision.
"Do everything possible to protect him and help him recover.
"Whatever it takes, we will give him the best possible chance of returning to the pitch."
Redondo looked at Ethan with gratitude, although his smile remained strained.
"Fernando, you should also prepare yourself.
"We need to explain the situation publicly before the journalists outside invent even more stories.
"Agreed?"
Redondo nodded.
...
The press conference took place the following morning.
Ethan and Redondo appeared together before more than a hundred reporters.
Ethan formally announced that Redondo had come to Newton Heath for treatment.
The Argentinian then thanked New Manchester United and expressed his hope that the rehabilitation programme would allow him to return to football.
After delivering the opening statement, Ethan remained silent and listened as the reporters questioned Redondo.
Some of their questions were sharp, while others were deliberately awkward.
Redondo answered every one with remarkable sincerity.
Again and again, he repeated that his greatest wish was to return to the pitch and prove that he still had something to offer.
Listening to him left Ethan deeply saddened.
He had always been one of Redondo's most devoted supporters and believed completely in the midfielder's integrity.
"Mr Yu, what is your view of Redondo's situation?" one journalist eventually asked.
"Why are you willing to provide him with so much assistance?"
Ethan paused briefly before answering.
"Fernando is a genuine superstar and an exemplary professional.
"His character should never be questioned.
"I am one of his greatest admirers, and I want to help him return to the pitch.
"I would love to see him play again.
"In my opinion, he remains the finest holding midfielder of his generation.
"That is why I find the way he has been treated so disappointing."
"In what way?" another reporter asked immediately.
"I don't understand why anyone would question Redondo's professionalism.
"He has undergone two knee operations in the past two years.
"Everyone understands how difficult that must have been.
"Why, then, have sections of the media and even some supporters attacked him simply because he was injured?
"I believe modern football has forgotten how to respect the great players who once gave us so much joy.
"Look at the way Barcelona treated Guardiola.
"Then consider Albertini's situation at AC Milan."
Ethan's anger grew as he continued.
"I understand that professional football can be ruthless.
"But surely we can treat the players who brought pride and happiness to their clubs with greater compassion and dignity.
"Must everything be handled in the coldest possible way?"
"Some people will say, 'His wages are too high.'
"But I firmly believe that players such as Redondo and Guardiola would accept reduced salaries if it meant remaining at their clubs and continuing to contribute.
"They care deeply about those teams.
"They have demonstrated their loyalty repeatedly.
"Even when an agreement cannot be reached, a departure should be handled with enough humanity that both the player and the supporters can accept it.
"Instead, look at how cruel football has become."
Nobody had expected Ethan to erupt so forcefully.
He had been suppressing his anger for some time.
Redondo had been in Manchester for days, yet nobody from AC Milan had called or travelled to check on him.
Was that how a responsible club should treat one of its players?
The press room descended into confusion.
For several moments, the reporters forgot to ask another question.
"I know many people questioned the £11 million AC Milan paid for Redondo," Ethan continued.
"That fee placed enormous pressure on him.
"I understand why he feels the need to prove himself.
"But his value does not exist only on the pitch.
"If AC Milan are willing to sell him, the Red Rebels will offer the same £11 million to sign Fernando Redondo."
The room exploded.
Even Redondo turned towards Ethan in disbelief.
Ethan rose from his seat.
"Don't look at me like that, Fernando.
"I may own a football club, but in my heart, I am still a supporter.
"I understand your value.
"We can provide you with the finest possible medical care.
"If you want to return to the pitch, we will support you completely, but we will never pressure you.
"And whenever you eventually decide to retire, you can join our coaching staff.
"You can help us develop more young players and perhaps produce another Redondo.
"Would that not demonstrate your value just as clearly as playing another match?"
The press room erupted again.
Nobody had expected Ethan to announce his intention to sign Redondo during the conference, let alone offer AC Milan the full £11 million they had originally paid.
The journalists immediately understood that the decision had been made in the heat of the moment.
Even so, Ethan's words struck directly at many of football's most powerful clubs.
They were often ruthlessly pragmatic.
The moment an ageing player approached the end of his career, they began searching for ways to move him on, even if he had once represented the club's identity and greatest source of pride.
AC Milan had generally treated their senior players better than most.
Even so, Ethan did not believe Milan's future collection of ageing stars would be the fault of those players.
It would be the consequence of the club's recruitment and succession planning.
What blame could possibly lie with the players themselves?
Had Milan developed or signed someone capable of replacing Maldini properly, perhaps he would have retired earlier.
But did such a player exist?
"I will say this once more," Ethan declared.
"I sincerely hope to speak with Galliani, and even with Mr Berlusconi.
"I want Fernando Redondo, and I am prepared to pay £11 million for him.
"I am not doing this to attract publicity for New Manchester United.
"I am doing it because football is meant to bring people joy.
"It may be a results-driven business, but we cannot allow it to lose its most fundamental values.
"Emotion.
"Respect.
"Loyalty."
Ethan took Redondo by the hand.
The two men left the press conference together, leaving more than a hundred stunned journalists behind them.
(To be continued.)
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