The following morning, the front pages of major newspapers across Europe were dominated by Ethan's controversial criticism of modern football.
Most journalists agreed with him.
More importantly, so did the supporters.
Fans shared a sincere and uncomplicated love for their clubs. They believed those clubs should operate according to equally simple principles, particularly when dealing with iconic players who had brought them pride, trophies, and unforgettable memories.
Such players deserved better treatment.
Almost every manager and footballer interviewed by the media supported Ethan's remarks.
They praised his position and hoped his words would encourage more clubs to preserve the human side of football rather than blindly pursuing results and profits.
Of course, many players and managers also acknowledged that clubs faced financial pressures of their own.
Difficult decisions sometimes had to be made, and sacrifices could not always be avoided.
Most major clubs remained silent in response to Ethan's criticism.
However, several owners and directors publicly supported him, although they mainly represented smaller European clubs with limited influence.
After several days of intense coverage, Ethan and New Manchester United remained on the front pages of Europe's leading newspapers.
The Red Rebels had suddenly been thrust into the centre of attention.
Across the continent, people began to understand what kind of club New Manchester United was trying to become.
A club built upon loyalty and human connection.
Inside Newton Heath, everyone supported Ethan's words, from Mourinho and the coaching staff to the players.
During interviews, they spoke openly about the club's principles and operating philosophy.
Their comments revealed to the rest of Europe what the Red Rebels truly represented.
Over the previous few years, Ethan had invested at least £300 million in New Manchester United.
Most of that money had been spent on developing the club and supporting charitable projects.
The investment had created an excellent public image for the Red Rebels, while Ethan's determination to build the club properly had silenced many of his original critics.
Several prominent former players also spoke highly of Ethan and New Manchester United.
Poulsen, Olić, and Abidal all praised the club during interviews.
They agreed that the Red Rebels' methods were built around personal respect and loyalty, exactly as Ethan had claimed.
A club loyal to its players.
Players loyal to the club.
Supporters loyal to both.
It sounded almost impossibly harmonious.
Praise from footballers who had already left New Manchester United carried far more weight than any official statement.
Even Kitson, whom many Red Rebels supporters still regarded as a traitor, expressed admiration for Ethan's management.
He described New Manchester United as a club that still represented football in its purest form.
After several days of debate, a number of football economists and industry experts also began analysing the Red Rebels' model.
They described the club's principle of taking from the supporters and returning to the supporters as one of the purest and most ideal approaches to football ownership.
New Manchester United already generated the highest commercial revenue in League One.
Excluding transfer income, their earnings even exceeded those of several Premier League clubs.
After completing their summer sales, the Red Rebels had made a transfer profit of approximately £25 million.
That money had then been reinvested in the club's development, charitable work, and supporter programmes.
As the club's reputation improved, more sponsors became interested.
That brought additional income.
Greater income allowed New Manchester United to attract better players, improve the squad, and achieve stronger results.
Better results then attracted even more sponsorship.
The process formed an exceptionally healthy cycle.
Experts admired Ethan's philosophy because it appeared to represent an entirely new model.
It was not the heavily commercialised, superstar-driven strategy used by Real Madrid, where enormous investment was expected to produce equally enormous returns.
Nor was it a purely sporting model built around self-sufficiency and success on the pitch before attracting established stars from elsewhere.
The Red Rebels combined both approaches.
Sporting performance remained the foundation, while commercial development supported it.
Neither side was allowed to overwhelm the other.
The club's commitment to charity and its outstanding public image had also transformed the way many people viewed philanthropy in football.
Several experts predicted that as New Manchester United continued growing, Ethan would eventually no longer need to invest any personal money.
The club would become completely self-sufficient while continuing to expand.
It would be close to the perfect cycle.
Their research also suggested that had Ethan not chosen to build a new stadium, New Manchester United could already have produced a substantial profit that season without weakening the team.
...
While the outside world continued discussing the Red Rebels' model, the atmosphere inside the club remained excellent.
New Manchester United extended their winning run in the league and remained top of the table, two points ahead of second-placed Portsmouth.
They had also reached the third round of the League Cup and qualified for the main stage of the UEFA Cup.
The results surprised almost everyone.
More importantly, Ethan's public defence of Redondo had made the players understand just how highly the club valued them.
The controversy had also raised New Manchester United's standing throughout football, particularly among players and coaches.
Everyone now knew about the unusual club being built in Manchester.
That reputation would help the Red Rebels retain their best players and attract even more talented footballers in the future.
Ethan had never anticipated any of those consequences.
Even more unexpectedly, the controversy brought enormous benefits to the club's commercial operation.
"I never would have believed it," Mark complained with exaggerated bitterness.
"You caused more excitement with one press conference than we managed after working ourselves to exhaustion on all those commercial campaigns."
Nobody had expected Ethan's comments to create such a sensation.
The attention drew countless new supporters towards the Red Rebels and elevated the club's image throughout Europe.
Commercial opportunities followed immediately.
"Sometimes, Boss, I think you may be the greatest publicity expert in football," Gardner said with an admiring laugh.
Ethan's expression darkened.
"No, Brian. You're wrong.
"This was not a publicity stunt.
"Everything I said was sincere.
"I had no idea the situation would develop this way.
"None of these consequences were planned."
Gardner realised he had chosen his words poorly and apologised immediately.
"But now that it has happened, I agree with your proposals," Ethan continued.
"Make sure you handle everything properly."
To take advantage of the attention surrounding the club, the commercial department had prepared a series of campaigns and promotional initiatives.
That had not been Ethan's original intention.
However, now that the opportunity existed, refusing to use it would be foolish.
Naturally, none of those campaigns would undermine the image New Manchester United had developed.
They would build upon it and help preserve it.
"Has AC Milan responded yet?" Ethan asked Walsh.
"The transfer window will close soon, and I still want to sign Redondo."
That season, England had chosen to bring its transfer regulations into line with the rest of Europe.
Previously, English clubs had largely determined their own signing periods and could even recruit players after the league season had begun.
The system had attracted considerable criticism from within football.
From then onwards, the summer transfer window would close on 31 August.
After that date, clubs would have to wait until the winter window before registering new players.
The FA was still finalising some of the regulations governing January transfers.
"Not yet," Walsh replied.
"We contacted Galliani.
"He said Milan would consider the offer, but we haven't received a decision."
Ethan fell silent.
Redondo had recently been following the rehabilitation programme at Newton Heath, although progress remained extremely slow.
Everyone expected the treatment to take a long time.
Away from rehabilitation, Redondo frequently visited the academy pitches.
He worked alongside the coaches and offered advice to the young players, particularly the midfielders.
"Whatever it costs, keeping him here will be worthwhile," Ethan murmured.
As one of Redondo's greatest admirers, Ethan remained determined to change the Argentinian's fate.
He did not want injuries to continue tormenting him.
Nor did he want Redondo to retire carrying years of regret.
Ethan hoped to provide him with a more relaxed environment, free from the pressure that had followed him in Milan.
He had also discussed the situation with Mourinho.
The manager believed Redondo could make a major contribution whether he remained as a player or joined the coaching staff.
He had once been one of the finest midfielders in the world and possessed an exceptional understanding of professional football.
After several conversations with him, Mourinho became convinced that Redondo had everything required to develop into an outstanding coach.
He would simply need experience.
Mourinho's approval had strengthened Ethan's determination to keep him.
Redondo had never openly asked for a transfer, but Ethan could tell that he was not opposed to joining the Red Rebels.
His only obsession remained returning to the pitch and proving that he could still play.
After Mark and Gardner left, Walsh also departed to deal with other matters.
Ethan remained alone in his office, thinking about everything that had happened over the previous few days.
He felt excited and invigorated, but the pressure was also beginning to weigh upon him.
"Bloody hell. I haven't had a proper holiday in more than a year."
He was genuinely tired.
He had attended the World Cup during the summer and travelled around South Korea and Japan for several days.
But the trip had been rushed, and he had continued working throughout it.
He had never truly relaxed.
Now he desperately wanted a proper break.
That was often how exhaustion worked.
As long as a person ignored it, everything seemed manageable.
The moment Ethan began thinking about rest, his entire body felt heavy.
He suddenly wanted to leave for a holiday the very next morning.
At that precise moment, his telephone rang.
The timing could not have been worse.
"Hello. Ethan Yu speaking."
He answered reluctantly.
"Good afternoon, Mr Yu. This is Silvio Berlusconi."
The Italian prime minister?
Ethan froze in astonishment.
(To be continued.)