After a day of training, the players gradually left the training base, dragging their tired bodies with them.
As professional footballers in the league, their salaries were now different from before. Most of them could afford to rent a comfortable apartment near Newton Heath, or at least share one between two or three people.
Evra, Curtis Davies, and Terry shared an apartment.
They had all moved out of the supporters' homes and were now living in a residential area not far from the training base, walking back and forth every day.
But unlike their usual cheerful conversations on the way home, Curtis seemed rather quiet today.
"What's wrong? First start, feeling the pressure?" Evra put an arm around his good friend's shoulders.
The two had been together for more than two years and were among the earliest members of the club.
Curtis shook his head, then nodded, looking a little lost and uncertain.
"Don't be like that, Curtis. It's just one start, isn't it? Besides, every professional player has to go through this. Although yours has come very suddenly, you should know that if you seize this opportunity, you could become a first-team regular!" Terry tried to comfort him.
Curtis had long yearned for a regular place in the professional team.
He had joined the club at the same time as Evra, but Evra had already established himself in the side. Although Abidal had taken his starting position this season, he still received plenty of opportunities.
Curtis, however, had only been able to play in youth and reserve matches because of his age.
This reminded Curtis of what Mourinho had said to him when they left the training ground earlier.
"Don't be nervous, you little rascal. You can do it. Just play normally, according to your usual level!"
But could he really play normally?
Before, it had always been youth team and reserve team matches, games that did not receive much attention. But now this was the first team, an official League Two match.
It might even appear on the league highlights over the weekend.
Even if Curtis was usually carefree, he could not calm down at a moment like this.
"By the way, have you told your parents?" Evra suddenly remembered.
Curtis immediately shook his head when he heard that.
"No, not yet. I only just found out myself!"
Terry gave him a playful nudge.
"Then hurry up and tell your dad and mum that you're starting for the team this Saturday. See if they'll come to watch the match."
Curtis shook his head.
"Probably not. My dad is very busy with work, and my mum is busy too. Besides, they're all the way in London. They won't come to watch my match!"
However, despite saying that, Curtis still decided to make the call.
As soon as he entered the apartment, Curtis locked himself in his room, took out his phone, and dialled the familiar number with a trembling right hand.
Soon, the ringing tone sounded from the receiver.
"Hello, Dad. It's Curtis!" Curtis said with a slight tremor after the call connected.
"Hm, son, is something wrong?" David, on the other end of the line, was clearly busy.
He was always this busy.
Curtis hesitated for a moment, gritted his teeth, and said, "I just got back from training. Mr. Mourinho, the manager, told me that I'll be starting tomorrow's match!"
"Oh, starting again? That's good. You must play well, understand?"
Curtis nodded heavily.
"Dad, will you come to watch my match?" His voice was filled with anticipation.
"We'll see, son. I've been very busy lately, so I'm afraid I may not be able to get away. By the way, who are you playing?"
"Brighton, Dad!" Curtis sounded a little disappointed.
"Oh, they seem quite strong. But it's all right, son. Just do your best!" David encouraged him with a few words.
After hanging up, Curtis collapsed onto his bed in disappointment.
He knew his father was busy for the sake of the family, but he still wished so badly that his dad and mum could come to Manchester to watch him play.
This was the first professional league start of his life, and he desperately wanted his parents to witness the moment with him.
...
On the other end of the phone, David hung up and quickly returned to work.
By the time he finally got home after work, his wife had already prepared a delicious dinner and was waiting for him.
"Honey, Curtis called today!" David said with a smile as he ate.
Although he did not have much time to look after his son during the week, David was still very proud of him. Curtis had always been the captain of New Manchester United's youth team, and the club thought very highly of him.
"Really?" David's wife said with a smile.
"Yes. I heard he has another match to start tomorrow. The boy sounded very excited. It's not his first start, but listen to how excited he was. I just hope he doesn't mess it up!" David shook his head and laughed.
"He won't. Our son is excellent!" David's wife replied with a smile. "Who are they playing?"
David thought for a moment. He had not really paid attention earlier.
"I think they're called Brighton. I should have heard correctly..."
But as soon as he said that, David froze and looked at his wife in disbelief.
She was equally stunned.
David suddenly jumped up from the dining table, grabbed the briefcase he had just brought home, pulled out a newspaper, turned to the sports section, and quickly found the match preview in an inconspicuous corner.
It clearly stated: Tomorrow at 4 PM, City of Manchester Stadium, New Manchester United vs. Brighton.
"Oh... my God. It's League Two. I thought it was the reserves!" David looked at his wife in disbelief.
David's wife had already come to his side and was staring blankly at the match preview in the newspaper.
"This is Curtis's first professional league match, dear!"
"Yes. No wonder he suddenly called to ask whether I wanted to watch him play!" David said, full of regret.
"What did you say?" his wife asked anxiously.
David looked remorseful.
"I... I didn't hear him clearly at the time. I thought it was a reserve match, so I told him I was very busy and didn't have time to go. He must have been terribly disappointed!"
After saying that, David immediately shook his head.
"No, there's still time. I'll call to book plane tickets right away. If that doesn't work, we'll take the train overnight!"
He would never allow himself to miss the chance to watch his son's first professional league match.
Otherwise, he would regret it for the rest of his life.
...
The weather was beautiful the next day, clear and bright, a rare fine day.
The team bus slowly drove into the car park at the City of Manchester Stadium.
The bright red bus immediately drew cheers from the surrounding crowd. They welcomed the warriors about to go into battle with great enthusiasm, as if welcoming heroes.
Mourinho was the first to step off the bus, immediately drawing songs of praise from the supporters.
Although the Portuguese manager had only coached the club for a short time, he had already won the hearts of the supporters with his ability and achievements.
After that, every player who stepped off the bus was met with enthusiastic cheers and applause.
They were all players the supporters backed.
Although the departures of Distin and Steinsson had left New Manchester United supporters worried about this match, they still supported the team as always.
Distin had officially transferred to Newcastle the day before.
Taking advantage of Newcastle's injury crisis, New Manchester United forced them to pay heavily. Newcastle paid a transfer fee of £1.8 million for Distin.
Of course, as Ethan knew, Newcastle had still made a good deal.
As for Steinsson, he had also left New Manchester United and joined Birmingham.
Bruce paid £750,000 for him, ten times his value when he had first joined New Manchester United.
It was said that Bruce, who was also troubled by problems at right-back, had already eagerly placed Steinsson in the starting lineup for Birmingham's next league match.
New Manchester United, also troubled by injuries, fielded a back four of Evra, Terry, Curtis, and Bosingwa for this match.
With Schmeichel injured, Almunia started in goal.
The front three remained Kitson, Malouda, and Hleb.
The three midfielders were Juninho Pernambucano, Alou Diarra, and Essien. Poulsen had a minor injury, so he was not in the starting lineup.
The five players on the bench were Crouch, Palacio, Wright-Phillips, De Rossi, and Hangeland.
Hangeland's injury had not fully healed. Although it was not serious, Mourinho would definitely not use him unless absolutely necessary.
Facing a strong opponent with a depleted squad, New Manchester United were widely underestimated by the media before the match.
The odds offered by the bookmakers were especially telling, with all of them favouring Brighton, who had a complete starting lineup and had been performing well recently.
Everyone agreed that defence would be New Manchester United's greatest weakness in this match.
After all, both Evra and Bosingwa were stronger in attack than defence, while Curtis was still under sixteen and making his first start. Such a defensive lineup was truly worrying.
Even so, when Curtis stepped off the bus, the supporters still gave him warm applause as encouragement.
He was a homegrown product of New Manchester United and had been with the club from its very first day.
All the supporters hoped he would succeed and play for the club for his entire career.
"Curtis! Curtis!"
Just as the players were about to enter the dressing room, Curtis suddenly heard familiar voices calling him from the crowd.
"Dad, Mum!"
Curtis suddenly saw his parents pushing through the crowd, and he froze, almost bursting into tears.
Seeing this scene, Mourinho smiled and patted Curtis on the shoulder.
"You little rascal, go on. I'll give you five minutes!"
Hearing that, Curtis immediately thanked Mourinho and ran toward his parents.
Seeing their dusty, travel-worn appearance, Curtis knew they had rushed here overnight, which moved him deeply.
"Curtis..." David hugged his son tightly.
He wanted to say many words of encouragement, but in the end, he could not say anything.
His wife stood beside him, wiping away her tears.
"Dad, Mum..." Curtis was also unable to speak.
"Do well, son. Your mum and I will be watching you from the stands!" David gestured for his son to hurry and catch up with the team.
Curtis nodded heavily, his expression extraordinarily determined.
(To be continued.)
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