The Next Big Thing
Chapter 161: Arrested?

Chapter 161: Arrested?

As the two young men, David and Sancho, were escorted by officers through the hospital, the tension in the air was palpable. The hospital had always prided itself on its pristine reputation, but this incident was one for the books. Sancho, with his explosive temper, and David, driven by a misplaced sense of injustice, had set off a chain of disruptions that were impossible to ignore. The hospital had been in turmoil for minutes—the sounds of shouting, arguments, and the forceful shoving between the two had drawn the attention of other guests, who had been recording every moment on their phones.

It all started innocently enough with a disagreement that escalated quickly. The altercation had unfolded near the emergency ward, just as Sancho, visibly irritated after the earlier incident, had stormed past David. The two had exchanged words—sharp, cutting remarks that punctuated the air like daggers. Sancho had lashed out, his frustration boiling over, oblivious to the consequences of his actions.

When David had tried to confront him, things had turned physical. The nurses not even attempting to intervene, but their efforts were made as they were on recording and social distancing as the scene escalated, and the noise, coupled with the anger of the two men, had disrupted the entire floor. With people now crowding around, whispering, and filming, the hotel manager had no choice but to call the authorities. The police arrived promptly, citing breaches of peace and public disturbance.

And so, as David and Sancho were placed under arrest for violating COVID regulations, disrupting the hospitals operation, and causing chaos, their situation could not have gotten worse. Both of them were already aware of the severity of the situation—they would make headlines, and now the world knew their names for the wrong reasons. What was supposed to be a normal day for two teammates and public figures would turn into one of the most talked-about incidents of the week.

Meanwhile, just a few miles away...

Inside the iconic Old Trafford stadium, amidst the buzzing excitement of a new season on the horizon, a different kind of story was unfolding. And at the heart of it all was Ed Woodward, the 49-year-old CEO of Manchester United. As he sat back in his chair, a wide grin spread across his face. The air felt electric around him. Ed had waited years for this moment.

Taking the executive role at Manchester United in 2012 after years of serving on the board, Woodward had been determined from the very beginning to push the club to its absolute limits. Manchester United, once regarded as the greatest club in the world, was now on the cusp of a new era—a new Chapter under his leadership. But he had always known that it wouldn’t be easy. Even with the departure of the legendary David Gill and his own subsequent appointment, Ed had been ready to steer the ship forward. His finance background made him a perfect fit to navigate the business side of the club.

His ultimate vision? To continue Manchester United’s dominance in world football, to win titles, to claim European glory, and to bring back the era of success that the club had once enjoyed. The dream was simple, yet grand. He imagined a future where the Red Devils were untouchable—a team that had it all: a winning mentality, a collection of the world’s finest talents, and a legacy that stood the test of time.

But dreams had a way of shattering, and Ed’s were no exception.

The moment Sir Alex Ferguson had announced his retirement, the ground had shifted beneath him. The club’s heart and soul was walking away. Ed could still remember the day he had begged Sir Alex to stay—pleaded with him, wanting him to continue leading the team to glory. But the manager’s health had failed him. His heart, long weighed down by the stresses of the game, could no longer carry the burden. His departure was inevitable, and with it, a feeling of loss settled into Ed’s chest.

But even after Sir Alex’s departure, Ed refused to give in to despair. He knew Manchester United was bigger than any one man. So, he hired a new coach—one who was highly respected, one who shared Sir Alex’s footballing philosophies. But as the season came to an end, Manchester United had finished 7th. Ed had been stunned. His first season in full control, and it was a disaster.

But Ed Woodward wasn’t the type to back down. No, he wasn’t about to let one setback define his legacy. With grit and determination, he pressed on. Firing the underperforming coach, bringing in new talent, and restructuring the team, he kept his eyes on the goal: rebuilding Manchester United’s dominance.

However, failure after failure marked the club’s trajectory. Each season was a step backward, but Ed refused to accept that. His business expertise began to take precedence, and instead of focusing solely on the footballing side, Ed shifted his focus to what he did best—branding. He knew that Manchester United, despite its struggles on the pitch, still had the largest fanbase and most lucrative brand in world football. The club’s revenue skyrocketed, and Ed turned every failure into financial success. Manchester United was still the top earner in the Premier League and remained a global juggernaut.

But that wasn’t enough. He wasn’t in it just for the money. He wanted success. He wanted the glory.

Now, however, things were different. The arrival of new ownership brought pressure. Joel and the board were demanding immediate results. Ed found himself butting heads with them on the radical changes they were pushing, but he wasn’t afraid to voice his opinion. The sacking of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was a bitter pill to swallow, but even Ed knew when to admit he was wrong. The once-beloved coach was now gone, and it hurt Ed. He knew Solskjaer had tried, but in the harsh world of football, trying wasn’t enough.

Now, the new manager had a unique approach—unconventional, some would say—but with it came a winning mentality that Ed could not ignore. And it wasn’t just the manager who had changed the landscape. Manchester United had also made some key signings—none more significant than Cristiano Ronaldo. The legendary forward, widely regarded as one of the greatest to ever play the game, had returned to the club. His presence had sent shockwaves through the footballing world, and his arrival boosted the brand like nothing before. Ronaldo was a born winner, and his energy had electrified Old Trafford. Fans, players, and even staff felt the shift—the energy was palpable.

But there was one more signing—one that spoke volumes about the club’s future. The acquisition of Jadon Sancho, one of the brightest young talents in world football, was a statement in itself. His arrival wasn’t just about the footballing aspect; it was about the future. Sancho’s signing represented the rise of Manchester United once more. They had secured one of the top young talents in the world, and the media, the fans, everyone took notice. This wasn’t just a club trying to rebuild—it was a club on the brink of greatness.

The news had swept across the globe. Manchester United was back.

And Ed Woodward, for the first time in years, found himself energized, driven, and ready to take on the world. The fire he had once felt, the fire that had burned out, had been reignited. The frustration, the disappointments, the failures—they had all been building up to this point. Now, with a new coach, new players, and a fresh mentality, Ed was ready to see Manchester United rise once again.

"Enough is enough," Ed muttered to himself, his eyes burning with intensity. "We’re going to make them regret every single failure. We will dominate again."

The storm was coming. And Ed Woodward, the man who had waited for so long, couldn’t wait to unleash it.

Carrying that unshakable belief, Ed Woodward leaned back in his chair, a slight hum escaping his lips as he went over his plans. The weight of the club’s future, for the first time in years, felt manageable. The fire that had dimmed over the seasons, the doubts, the frustration—all of it had been replaced by a renewed sense of optimism. Manchester United was back. Cristiano Ronaldo, one of the greatest to ever play the game, had returned home. Alongside him, the young, explosive talent of Jadon Sancho now wore the famous red. The energy around Old Trafford had shifted. It was no longer just about business, but about winning. Finally, the storm Ed had been waiting for was beginning to take shape.

With the windows of the executive office offering a panoramic view of the iconic stadium, Ed couldn’t help but let his thoughts drift, envisioning the roaring crowd, the weight of the fans’ expectations, the thrill of lifting trophies again. His fingers drummed lightly on his desk as he plotted every move, every step forward.

Then, as if the universe had sensed the calm before the storm, there was a sudden, rapid banging on his door.

Startled from his reverie, Ed’s body tensed, his head snapping up toward the door. The rhythmic, urgent banging escalated, as though there was no time to waste. It wasn’t the usual knock of a member of staff coming with a simple update or a report—it was desperate, frantic.

"Enter," Ed said, his voice steady but his heart beginning to race, instinctively bracing himself for something significant.

The door swung open, and in walked three men, their faces tight with urgency.

First, the Head of Communications—pale, eyes wide with distress, his usual calm demeanor shattered. He was a man who had dealt with all kinds of media storms, but now, it seemed, he was in over his head.

Second, the Legal Department head—his shoulders stiff, his face drawn with the unmistakable tension of someone who knew that the situation was severe, perhaps bordering on catastrophic.

And third, a security officer—his expression, if anything, more serious than the others. This was the kind of man who had seen the worst of crises unfold, yet even he seemed unsettled, shifting uncomfortably on his feet.

They stood there in a line, the air thick with their unspoken concern. Ed, already processing a thousand thoughts, instinctively placed his hands on the table and leaned forward. His mind spun wildly, assessing every possible scenario. Something big had happened. No matter how much he tried to remain calm, he couldn’t shake the feeling that he was about to hear something that would make all his achievements, all his business acumen, seem insignificant in an instant.

For a moment, no one said anything. Ed’s eyes flicked from one man to the next, noting the lack of words, the almost fearful silence. That was when he understood.

Something had happened. Something huge.

He tried to keep his voice controlled, though the urgency in the room gnawed at him. "What’s wrong?" Ed asked, his voice sharper now, his patience thinning.

The Head of Communications swallowed hard, his lips parted but no sound escaping, as if he too was searching for the right words. Then, without warning, it was the legal head who spoke first—his voice tight, almost robotic in its coldness.

"Our players... have been arrested."