With Januzaj's goal,
Manchester United U18s took the lead over the more experienced U19 squad.
That goal completely lit a fire under Pogba, Lingard, and the rest.
As the match resumed, the U19s launched wave after wave of attacks, pressing the U18s deep into their own half.
And in that chaos, one player stood out more than anyone:
Alessandro Dybala.
He was everywhere.
The gate in the middle.
The wall that wouldn't break.
Clearances, interceptions, tackles—he was the most dominant presence on the pitch.
The youth coaches lining the sidelines couldn't stop talking.
> "His positioning is unreal!"
> "One-on-one defending is rock solid. Neither Pogba nor Lingard can beat him."
> "It's like he can predict the future. Long balls? He's already there before they land!"
> "Right? His anticipation is next-level."
> "Sure, his basic ball control needs work…"
> "But with that reading of the game and his physical presence? He's tailor-made for the midfield. You expecting Makelele to run playmaker now?"
> "Fair point…"
Their excitement was rising.
Everyone, except Pogba.
The U19 talisman was soaked in sweat.
He was supposed to be the engine. The star. The core.
But now, he felt caged.
Dribbling? He got smothered.
Passing? Predictable. Read like a book.
Alessandro wasn't fast.
But somehow, he was always in the exact place Pogba didn't want him to be.
Again and again, the U19s' attacks collapsed.
The score held at 1–0.
And if they lost this match?
They'd be the laughingstock of the Jimmy Murphy Youth Academy.
> "Go wide, Paul!!"
Lingard couldn't take it anymore.
Trying to break through the center was hopeless.
> "He's only one guy! He can't cover the whole pitch!"
Reluctantly, Pogba agreed.
Passing wide felt like admitting defeat…
But he had no other choice.
---
Alessandro was loving every minute.
This was his dream debut.
Reading the game, disrupting play, controlling the midfield—it felt like he was conducting the entire match.
When the ball swung out to the wing, he immediately judged what was coming.
Cross incoming.
He dropped back fast.
The U19 winger whipped in a ball toward the box.
But Alessandro had already visualized the flight path.
Full-level prediction.
While center-forward Will Keane was still trying to position himself, Alessandro had already leapt into the air—
Boom!
Powerful header clearance!
If the first one seemed like luck…
What followed made it clear:
The penalty box was now Alessandro's airspace.
The U19s tried cross after cross—
He cleared nearly every one.
> "His reading of the ball's trajectory is terrifying," said Spencer, wide-eyed.
> "Honestly, we underestimated his influence," his colleague added.
The two coaches exchanged a glance, both stunned.
> "Front-line defense, positional awareness, anticipation—he's elite," said McGuinness, genuinely impressed.
> "He might even be a weapon in attacking set pieces. We could build routines around him."
> "Brilliant idea."
Within moments, they were scribbling tactical notes centered around their newest midfield anchor.
---
Eventually, the match was cut short—just before the planned 60-minute mark.
Warren Joyce had seen enough.
He was fed up with the U19s' disjointed performance, and more importantly, he saw no value in continuing.
There was no solution to Alessandro's dominance.
The middle was sealed.
The flanks were useless.
Pogba had no answers.
So, what was the point?
Under the gleeful gaze of the U18 players,
Pogba and the U19 squad walked off the pitch—defeated and demoralized.
They were about to receive a full-power hairdryer treatment.
---
As soon as they left, the U18 lads erupted in cheers.
They rushed to Alessandro, slapping his back, giving high-fives and hugs.
Moments later, Coach McGuinness and his assistant walked over.
> "Well done, boys."
Then McGuinness raised his voice, smiling.
> "Alright, listen up. I've got an announcement—welcome our new teammate… Alessandro Dybala!"
Despite the foreign name, McGuinness pronounced it with ease.
> "Alessandro! Alessandro! Alessandro!"
The U18 players roared with approval.
With a player like him protecting the midfield, who wouldn't be excited?
Fans adore goal-scorers.
But players?
They love teammates who clean up the mess.
In short:
A "top blue-collar worker" like Alessandro wasn't just welcome—he was essential.
Such players raise a team's floor. They make sure the worst-case scenario never gets too bad.
---
That same day, Alessandro officially signed a Manchester United youth contract.
As it was only a youth deal, the term wasn't long—just until he turned 20.
But at this rate?
He'd be on a first-team contract long before then.
The moment his pen hit the paper, a mechanical voice echoed in his mind:
> "Ding! Congratulations on completing the main mission!"
> "Ding! Reward unlocked: Skill — Basic Shooting!"
> "Ding! Reward unlocked: Physical Attribute Point ×1!"
> "Ding! New main mission generated!"
> "Ding! Reputation System Unlocked!"
---