The Next Big Thing
Chapter 95: Timeline changed?

Chapter 95: Timeline changed?

Inside the grand stadium of Manchester United, known to millions of fans around the world as "The Red Devils," the fans took immense pride in their legacy as the biggest and most successful clubs in England.

With a rich history stretching back over the years, they were a force to be reckoned with, particularly in the English top-flight league. Manchester United had claimed the prestigious title a record 20 times, with a remarkable 13 of those victories coming during the Premier League era.

What made this feat even more impressive was the rapid pace at which they accumulated these titles—13 titles in just 20 years, out of the 28 seasons that the Premier League had been contested.

This domination in the modern era was almost unrivaled, as their city rivals, Manchester City, had only secured 4 titles since the rebranding, with United’s 13 coming in a far shorter span.

But the Red Devils’ success didn’t stop there. They were also the proud owners of 12 FA Cups, the second most in history, trailing only behind Arsenal, who held 14.

Their triumphs continued with 5 League Cups, and on the European stage, they boasted 3 Champions League titles, though they still found themselves second to Liverpool, who had won the competition 6 times.

In addition, Manchester United had claimed 1 Europa League title and a staggering 21 Community Shields, leading Arsenal by a resounding 6.

All of these achievements combined painted a picture of a club that had not only dominated English football but had also left an indelible mark on the global stage, further solidifying their place in the annals of history as the most decorated football club in England.

The club had it all—the legends, the iconic players, the unforgettable moments. Manchester United wasn’t just a football team; it was a dynasty.

Names like King Eric Cantona echoed through the stands, a player whose charisma and skill defined an era. Then there was Paul Scholes, the "Ginger Prince," often hailed as the greatest midfielder the Premier League had ever seen, a maestro in the middle of the park, whose vision and passing were unmatched.

Manchester United’s history was also etched with the names of players who had reached the pinnacle of the footballing world. George Best, whose legendary performance in the 1968 European Cup Final led United to victory, cemented his place in the club’s folklore. He scored a crucial goal in the second half of that match, breaking the deadlock and helping United secure a 4-1 win against Benfica. Denis Law, another legend, had been a hero in his own right, scoring an astounding 46 goals in 42 appearances in 1964, earning the prestigious Ballon d’Or.

Then there was the Welsh Wizard, Ryan Giggs, whose contributions to the sport were so immense that, despite not winning the Ballon d’Or in 2011, he received the lifetime achievement award. Giggs, the epitome of consistency, was one of the few to play for the same club through almost two decades, becoming synonymous with success.

And of course, the most recent legend—Cristiano Ronaldo.

The Portuguese forward had been nothing short of spectacular, a player who seemed to defy the limits of footballing excellence. In his time at United, he won everything possible—except for the FA Cup. Despite falling short in the fifth round against Portsmouth in a grueling match, he had already made history by leading the club to countless titles, including a Premier League and a Champions League. Ronaldo’s legacy was solidified as one of the greatest players to ever play the game.

That season was particularly memorable. Ronaldo was the top scorer in both the Premier League and the Champions League. He scored 3 goals in 34 Premier League appearances, just behind Alan Shearer, the Newcastle legend, who had 34 goals in 36 games.

But it was in the Champions League that Ronaldo truly shone, scoring 8 goals, the most ever by a United player in a single campaign. His contributions helped secure the club’s triumph over Chelsea in the Champions League Final, where they triumphed in a penalty shootout that will never be forgotten United won 6-5 in what became one of the most dramatic finishes in football history.

Manchester United had the history to back up their fans claims of being the greatest no one could deny that. They had the trophies, the legendary nights under the floodlights, and the legacy of Sir Alex Ferguson, the greatest manager England had ever seen. But that was precisely their problem. History. That was all they had left.

Since Ferguson’s retirement in 2013, the club had been a shadow of its former self, drifting further from the dominance that once made them the undisputed kings of English football. The Premier League title had eluded them for over a decade, and the days of having a player who could truly be called the best in the world felt like a distant memory. The last time one of their own reached such heights was Cristiano Ronaldo in 2008—a whole twelve years ago.

Manchester United were no longer the club they once were. The fear they instilled, the aura they carried, had faded. All that remained was history, and history alone had never won a football match

A fact Rival fans used to dismiss Manchester United’s fans claim of being the greatest club in England. History, they argued, was not enough. While United clung to past glories, the new favorite for best England club Liverpool had stormed back to the top, winning their 19th league title and edging closer to United’s once-unmatched tally. More damning was their European pedigree—Liverpool had just lifted their sixth Champions League trophy the previous season, extending their lead over United in continental success.

But it wasn’t just about silverware. Liverpool had the history and they had something United lacked: the present. Under the guidance of Jürgen Klopp, they were a relentless force, a well-oiled machine built for the modern game. Their squad was electric, their football breathtaking, and their ambitions limitless. While United looked back, Liverpool surged forward, proving that greatness wasn’t just about the past—it was about what came next.

Those are the reasons that made the atmosphere in the Manchester United boardroom was thick with tension. Seated apart due to COVID-19 restrictions, the directors exchanged uneasy glances, their expressions betraying the weight of the meeting. The air felt heavy, almost stifling, as they awaited the man at the head of the table to speak.

Joel Glazer, the club’s co-chairman and owner, had flown in from the United States despite the travel restrictions—a statement in itself. His family’s NFL franchise, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, was thriving, yet here he was, in Manchester, holding a file that no one in the room wanted to discuss. His displeasure was clear, evident in the way he sat stiffly, fingers drumming against the document in front of him.

The message was unspoken but understood by all: failure was no longer an option.

Joel Glazer’s voice was cold, sharp enough to cut through the already tense atmosphere.

"What is this?" he said, tossing a document into the center of the table.

The papers slid across the polished surface before stopping in front of Ed Woodward, the club’s CEO. He hesitated for a moment before picking them up, flipping through the pages with an unreadable expression.

"Sir," Woodward began carefully, "this is the list of players we have bought and the ones we intend to sign this summer."

Joel leaned forward, his glare unwavering. His voice, though calm, carried an unmistakable edge.

"And can you tell me," he said, his anger simmering beneath the surface, "what the issue with that is?"

Ed Woodward and the rest of the board—Robert Leitão, John Hooks, and Manu Sawhney—sat in uneasy silence, their eyes fixed on the document in front of them. Manu was the first to speak, his voice measured but firm.

"Sir, I know what’s wrong."

All eyes turned to him. There was a brief pause before he continued, his gaze shifting to Joel.

"The players, sir."

Ed furrowed his brows, momentarily confused by the statement. He glanced at the names on the list again, as if searching for what Manu was implying. Then, before he could respond, Joel’s voice cut through the room, cold and sharp.

"Yes. Exactly."

He leaned back in his chair, fixing them with an icy stare.

"Who are these people?"

Ed Woodward shifted uncomfortably in his seat, the weight of Joel Glazer’s glare pressing down on him. He glanced at the document again, scanning the names as if hoping for some hidden justification. Clearing his throat, he straightened his posture and spoke.

"Sir, these are the players we signed this summer."

His voice was steady, but the tension in the room made every word feel like a gamble.

"DonnyvandeBeekfromAjax, atalentedmidfielder. EdinsonCavani, anexperiencedstriker, broughtinonafreetransfer. AlexTelles, a provenleft-backfromPorto. FacundoPellistri, ayoungwingerwithpotentialfromPeñarol. AmadDiallofromAtalanta—thoughhe’llonlyjoininJanuary."

He hesitated, then added, "AndDavidJonesfromDerbyCounty."

Silence followed. Joel’s expression remained unreadable, his fingers tapping against the table in slow, deliberate motions. Then, with a cold, clipped tone, he spoke.

"Who?"

Ed blinked. "Sir?"

With his voice sounding cold again " I repeat whoarethesepeople"

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