Juninho was a very low-key player. His playing style was just like his personality, very low-key.
This season, Juninho had played thirty-six matches for the team, scoring eleven goals and providing seventeen assists, making him the core of the midfield and the most consistent player in the squad.
After Schmeichel's injury, he had even taken on the responsibility of team captain.
However, Juninho did not act like a core player at all. Although he controlled the team's tempo on the pitch and always perfectly executed Mourinho's tactical intentions, whether dropping back to defend or pushing forward to attack, he could lead his teammates to complete the task.
Yet he remained very low-key, so low-key that he almost did not seem like a captain.
The players all admired Juninho, not just for his skill, but also for his professionalism. He had contributed greatly to the team, helping them secure victories at crucial moments many times.
He was destined not to be the kind of flamboyant player who charged forward to score, even if his free kicks frequently found the net.
Even in the New Manchester United team, the players unanimously agreed that winning a set-piece opportunity in the attacking third was equivalent to an indirect assist for the team, because they had Juninho.
Seventeen assists were clear proof of that!
What would happen to the team without Juninho?
New Manchester United supporters truly did not dare imagine it, but Mourinho had thought about it, because he knew that even the strongest iron man needed rest.
Juninho had suffered no injuries this season, which had a lot to do with the laboratory, but that did not mean his stamina could last through every match.
Mourinho had also been considering what the team should do when Juninho was absent, but even he had not expected it to happen at such a critical moment.
Juninho seemed a little dispirited in training, frustrated that he could not help the team in this crucial battle.
He desperately wanted to play because, after two years with the team, he realized he had grown to love it here.
New Manchester United paid him the second-highest salary in the team, behind only Schmeichel. If Schmeichel truly retired, his salary would become the highest in the team, even ranking among the top in League Two.
They had also given him a central role, allowing him to fully display his talents.
Now he was married, and his wife and family had moved to Manchester.
He had grown accustomed to the city's climate, his neighbours, training at this base, and his teammates.
He knew this was a very ambitious team, and he could not guarantee that he would continue to be a core starter in the future, but he no longer wanted to leave as he had two years ago. He had grown accustomed to the comfort here.
The only thing that remained unchanged was that he still yearned to prove himself, representing New Manchester United, and proving himself to everyone!
During training, Mourinho still had Juninho play with the main squad, but there were some changes among his teammates.
Hleb and Wright-Phillips were assigned to the reserve side. The former was an undisputed starter, while the latter moved between starting and reserve roles, as Malouda's performances this season had also been quite good.
Also joining the reserve side were Crouch, Essien, Palacio, and Curtis. Curtis, in particular, was definitely New Manchester United's biggest discovery this season.
His performances on the pitch were absolutely stunning. Solid defending, excellent heading, accurate judgment, a strong physique, and constant passion.
It was said that the current England under-19 national team coach had personally scouted Curtis, and he was very likely to be selected for the new national team.
Curtis would also become New Manchester United's first player to be called up to an England national team, and the first rising star to emerge from New Manchester United's youth academy.
If Wright-Phillips and Essien were assigned to the reserve side, Juninho would not have thought much of it, but with Curtis also going there, Juninho felt that Mourinho was clearly planning to swap the starting and reserve lineups.
At the same time, he frequently shouted at De Rossi and Essien, who were playing as central midfielders for the reserve side, even often stopping play to give instructions.
It seemed these two young players were about to be entrusted with heavy responsibilities!
However, it was not surprising. No one knew how much Juninho's absence would affect New Manchester United.
As expected, after training, Mourinho called everyone to the video room in the training building to specifically study Brighton's match footage, as well as the technical strengths and weaknesses of each player.
After watching the video, everyone gathered in the training building.
According to Mourinho's usual practice before away matches, today the squad list and starting lineup would be announced.
...
Mourinho looked at the players standing opposite him. They were all excellent, full of potential, and very dedicated.
Although he could not guarantee how many of them would remain after this season, Mourinho still felt that having these players was the key to his success this season.
Behind all this, Ethan's silent support and backing were indispensable.
Thinking of Ethan, Mourinho was filled with excitement. He wanted to repay Ethan's trust and support with results.
"We are heading to Brighton tomorrow, and I believe everyone should clearly understand the importance of this match to us. Before the season, I told everyone that we only have one goal this season, and that is the championship. Now, the championship is within reach. As long as we defeat Brighton, we are the champions!"
After saying all this in one breath, Mourinho took a deep breath, calming his excited emotions.
"We have been through a lot this season. The failures at the beginning of the season, the hardships in the middle, and the perseverance at the end. We have overcome it all, and now we are just one step away. Therefore, I have decided that for this match, everyone, whether you are in the squad list or not, must go to the away game. We will not return without victory!"
The players responded in unison, their shouts startling the youth team players training outside the building, who looked toward the training building with envy.
Making such a roar there was their goal and wish.
Although everyone was going to the away game, not everyone could make it into the squad list.
"The starting lineup for this match is, striker..." Cassell's words immediately made the players tense. "Crouch!"
Upon hearing this, Crouch immediately punched the air in surprise.
He had originally thought Kitson would start, as Kitson had performed very well this season and was the main center-forward.
Crouch's own weaknesses were obvious. He was weak in physical duels and poor in the air.
But he had never expected Mourinho to choose him to start.
Kitson, standing nearby, was a little surprised and disappointed, but still forced a smile and hugged Crouch, congratulating him on starting.
"Palacio!" Cassell continued immediately.
This time, it was Palacio who was surprised. He had not thought he would have a chance to start at such a critical moment, but in fact, the opportunity had truly come.
"Wright-Phillips... Alexander Hleb... Daniele De Rossi... Michael Essien... Eric Abidal, John Terry, Curtis Davies, Bosingwa, Almunia!"
After the starting lineup was announced, some players were happy, while others were disappointed.
Everyone wanted to play in such a crucial match, but not everyone had that opportunity, and as things currently stood, Mourinho clearly intended to change tactics.
"The substitutes are Schmeichel." When this name was read, Cassell looked at Schmeichel, who was standing on Mourinho's other side, and smiled.
This immediately amused the latter, and many players also laughed along.
"Evra, Alou Diarra, Poulsen, Kitson!"
Because the English league only allowed five substitutes, Mourinho was forced to adjust the substitute lineup based on his tactics.
To be honest, compared with the seven substitutes in other leagues, England's substitute quota was really too small.
"Since Juninho will be absent from the next match, the captain's armband will be given to Curtis!" Mourinho took over from Cassell and announced firmly.
The team immediately erupted in chatter.
It had to be known that although Curtis had performed excellently in the second half of this season, he had only just turned sixteen.
Making a sixteen-year-old rookie the team captain seemed a little too hasty for a team defending its title, did it not?
Regarding this decision, not only were his teammates surprised, but Curtis himself was also astonished.
He had never thought he would be captain. Whether based on seniority or ability, he felt he could not bear the heavy responsibility of captaincy.
Mourinho merely announced the decision, then turned and left.
Cassell patted Curtis on the shoulder as encouragement and then also left, leaving behind a group of players discussing animatedly.
"Curtis, hey, Curtis!" Terry called out, waking the stunned Curtis, then laughed and hugged him. "What's wrong? So happy you're speechless? You're going to be captain!"
Curtis was a little dazed, unsure what to do.
He had never had experience as a captain, even though he had been captain in the youth team and reserve team, but was that the same as the first team?
"Can I... can I do it?" Curtis asked somewhat apprehensively, looking at the teammates around him.
Some were supportive, while others were doubtful. Clearly, they too were surprised by this appointment.
In terms of seniority and ability, Abidal and Hleb were both superior to Curtis, yet Mourinho had specifically chosen Curtis.
Why was that?
However, although some were doubtful, no one dared to question Mourinho's decision.
Abidal and Hleb, along with the others who were considered more suitable for captaincy than Curtis, also calmed their emotions and came over to hug Curtis, congratulating him on becoming captain, even if it was only temporary.
Curtis was dazed, not even knowing how he accepted his teammates' congratulations and support.
He walked out of the training building in a trance, looking back behind him. He still could not quite believe what had just happened.
Was he really going to be the team captain?
(To be continued.)
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