Although it was only a preseason friendly, the Newton Heath Cup was fiercely contested. Both teams played openly, so the pace remained fast throughout, and the supporters watched with great interest.
New Manchester United maintained firm control of the match.
In the 38th minute, Senna surged forward from midfield and scored with a long-range strike, doubling New Manchester United's lead.
After the break, both teams changed ends and play resumed.
New Manchester United gradually made several substitutions. Ribéry replaced Malouda, Wright-Phillips came on for Hleb, and Olić took Drogba's place.
In midfield, Mourinho replaced the impressive Senna with Alou Diarra, pushed Essien further forward into an attacking midfield role, and brought on De Rossi for Juninho to partner him. The defensive line was also changed accordingly.
Although New Manchester United had replaced all eleven starters within the first 25 minutes of the second half, they still took advantage of a rare opening.
In the 58th minute, Olić beat the offside trap and scored.
3-0!
After establishing a commanding lead, New Manchester United began playing more patiently and controlled the match.
Droylsden's midfield pairing of Sulley Muntari and Stephen Smith had failed to make any real impact against Juninho, Senna, and Essien in the first half.
However, after Mourinho later replaced Essien with Palacio and switched to a 4-4-2, Muntari finally found more room and began to perform better.
In the 82nd minute, Muntari won the ball in midfield, combined with Smith, and unleashed a long-range effort from the edge of the penalty area that nearly beat Čech, giving New Manchester United a scare.
However, New Manchester United responded almost immediately.
Palacio created an opportunity for Wright-Phillips, who scored to make it 4-0.
Although Droylsden had no realistic chance of recovering, their players continued to show tremendous determination and were not discouraged by the heavy deficit.
Their manager repeatedly gestured from the touchline for them to push forward.
They had already conceded four goals, so allowing another one or two would make little difference. But if they could score even once, it would be worthwhile.
New Manchester United, on the other hand, became more cautious.
They controlled their own half firmly and gave Droylsden no further opportunities.
The match ultimately ended 4-0, giving New Manchester United another comprehensive victory.
"Next year, Ethan. This time next year, we won't look nearly as helpless!" David Pace said with a smile, issuing another challenge.
He had initially felt embarrassed that his team had lost by four goals, but Ethan told him that Droylsden's spirit and determination had been highly admirable.
He believed they were capable of achieving something in the Football Conference that season.
David understood that Droylsden were not hopelessly weak. New Manchester United were simply too strong.
Even in the second half, after making frequent substitutions, New Manchester United never became disorganised.
That could only mean the team had already developed considerable maturity and that every player knew exactly what was expected when he entered the pitch.
Droylsden, by contrast, had become noticeably less organised after their substitutions.
Ethan was right. A team needed its own style of play and had to follow it consistently.
David felt that he had learned another valuable lesson from Ethan.
...
In one corner of the City Ground stands, a bespectacled reporter listened to the deafening cheers surrounding him and wrote the final sentence of his notes.
This stadium stood on the outskirts of Manchester and held only 14,000 supporters.
Although it was merely a match between two lower-division clubs, every seat was occupied.
The reporter had only managed to obtain a ticket through New Manchester United. It was said that, apart from around twenty seats reserved for special circumstances, every other ticket had been sold.
Outside the stadium lay a new commercial district planned by Manchester City Council.
A large Walmart store would be built to the east of the City Ground, while several other major retailers were also preparing to move into the area.
It was believed that the district would soon become another thriving part of Manchester.
According to information the reporter had obtained from the city council, the Red Rebels had originally acquired the City Ground and a large area of surrounding land at a very low price.
Many people had not understood the decision at the time.
Looking back now, however, the land purchased for around £10 million could already be sold for several times that figure.
Of course, according to Mark David, New Manchester United's Commercial Director, the club had already developed a complete business plan for the land surrounding the stadium.
They intended to build a new five-star stadium there because season-ticket sales had given them every reason to believe that the City Ground would be filled throughout the season.
Only by being present could someone understand where Mark's confidence came from.
The roar created by the club's fanatical supporters throughout the full 90 minutes was enough to make a timid person tremble.
They cheered every good performance from the players.
The match had not even ended when fireworks were lit in the stands, making the atmosphere inside the City Ground even more intense.
This was a unique club and a legendary one.
It also had a unique and remarkable owner, the subject of the reporter's upcoming interview.
At the interviewee's request, the reporter would respect his wishes and introduce him simply.
Owner of New Manchester United, Apple board member, and renowned Wall Street investor, Mr. Ethan Yu.
...
The reporter wanted Ethan to stand outside the City Ground, with the departing crowd behind him, for the photograph that would appear on the cover of TIME.
The interview itself, however, was arranged at the Newton Heath training base.
With a week remaining before the start of the season, Mourinho gave the players a day off after the friendly, allowing them to approach the opening league match in a more relaxed frame of mind.
At that time, apart from a few players doing extra training, no one else should have been at Newton Heath.
However, when Ethan arrived, he discovered that the entire squad was present.
They had apparently come specifically to watch him being interviewed by TIME.
"Mr. Yu, may we begin?" the reporter asked politely after Ethan finished greeting the players.
Ethan nodded and adjusted his clothing.
He had deliberately worn an Umbro tracksuit made especially for New Manchester United, which made him look energetic and professional.
"First, Mr. Yu, what made you give up your business interests in the United States and return to Manchester to devote yourself entirely to running a football club?"
Ethan smiled and shook his head.
"No, I'm afraid your question begins with the wrong assumption.
"I founded this club first, and only afterward did I go to the United States to start my businesses.
"From beginning to end, I have always regarded my wealth and status as secondary.
"This club comes first.
"I could give up everything else for it."
"Including your companies in the United States and your shares in Apple?"
"Of course," Ethan answered without hesitation.
The reporter clearly tried to determine whether Ethan was merely putting on an act.
What he saw in Ethan's eyes, however, was only determination and sincerity.
"I imagine Steve Jobs will be rather disappointed when he hears that, because he may discover that the Apple he has worked so hard to build is insignificant in your eyes."
Ethan laughed.
"No, those are two completely different value systems.
"Steve is a creative workaholic. He pours all his energy into his work, which is why he constantly creates brilliant products.
"I'm a football supporter, a devoted one.
"I pour all my energy into football and do everything within my power to manage this club well."
"So the two of you are actually quite similar, which explains why you are such good friends."
"Of course. Since I can't devote much energy to running businesses, I chose to invest in Apple. I know Steve can make money for me," Ethan replied with a chuckle.
His humorous tone made everyone nearby laugh.
"Steve Jobs once said regretfully that if you were not so obsessed with football, you might have become an even greater entrepreneur than Bill Gates. What do you think of that?"
Ethan considered the question for a moment, then smiled and shook his head.
"I don't think that's very likely.
"Bill Gates is already an extraordinary businessman.
"It would be very difficult for anyone to surpass him, including me.
"However, I would be happy to become the Bill Gates of football.
"I hope my club can become the Microsoft of the football world."
"Then how do you view the club you manage, the players behind you, and those passionate supporters?"
"They are all outstanding, and every one of them works incredibly hard.
"We have a first-class manager, first-class players, and first-class supporters.
"We will succeed. I'm certain of it," Ethan said firmly.
"How do you see the difference between running a football club and managing a company?" the reporter asked, finding Ethan increasingly fascinating.
It was difficult to believe that someone with such immense wealth could be so devoted to football.
The reporter was convinced that once the interview was published, those who regarded Ethan only as an investment genius would gain a much deeper understanding of the young billionaire.
Ethan had originally intended to decline interview requests from TIME and CNN.
However, Mark had told him that this was a rare opportunity to introduce New Manchester United to a wider audience, so he had ultimately agreed.
"I think the two follow different routes but arrive at the same destination.
"Running a company and running a football club are both centred on people.
"The players are the source of our club's value.
"Through our work, we serve the supporters. In return, they support the club and help us generate revenue.
"I believe this is consistent with the principles of business management.
"Every industry has its own particular nature, and football is no different."
"So you run a football club according to business principles?"
"No. That is only a method of management.
"The philosophy itself must reflect the unique nature of the industry.
"I believe football should not be treated as an industry that exists solely to pursue profit.
"It should remain purer and closer to its original purpose, which is to bring happiness to supporters.
"To some extent, I believe a football club can even become a form of faith."
(To be continued.)
◇◇◇
◇ One bonus chapter will be released for every 200 Power Stones.
◇ You can read the ahead chapter on Pat if you're interested: p-atreon.c-om/Blownleaves (Just remove the hyphen to access normally.)