The morning of July 1 brought one of Manchester's rare stretches of clear weather.
The dark clouds that had hung over the city for days had finally begun to break apart, allowing golden sunlight to fall across the cold industrial skyline.
But the real warmth that morning came from football.
For supporters in Manchester, especially Manchester United fans, this was a day they would remember.
Because of one man.
David Beckham.
Today, Beckham would officially leave Manchester United and become a New Manchester United player.
Would some Red Devils supporters now call him a traitor?
Probably.
But most still hoped he would succeed.
According to figures from New Manchester United's commercial department, season-ticket sales had been exceptional.
Nearly 25,000 had already been sold.
The club expected to pass 30,000 comfortably, and there was even a possibility of reaching 35,000 or 40,000.
Demand was stronger than Manchester City's.
Nobody could deny it anymore.
The Red Rebels had emerged as Manchester's third major football force.
In both results and influence, they had already moved ahead of Manchester City.
City, meanwhile, had problems of their own.
Maine Road was due to be demolished, which meant the club urgently needed another stadium.
In Ethan's previous life, Manchester City had moved into the newly built City of Manchester Stadium.
But that history had changed.
The site that would once have become City's new home had been acquired by Ethan, and New Manchester United's new stadium was now rising there.
Manchester City therefore had to find another solution.
The council had identified land in the northern suburbs where City could eventually build a new ground, but the club's finances were hardly strong enough to make that an easy project.
Their more immediate concern was simply finding somewhere to play.
There was speculation they might temporarily leave Manchester altogether.
Others suggested a return to Gigg Lane, home of Bury, which City had used before.
Of all the redevelopment projects Ethan had ever heard about, this was probably the one he found most amusing.
...
On that bright morning, nearly five hundred reporters gathered outside Newton Heath.
They were all waiting for Beckham.
Then a convoy appeared on Droylsden Road.
Several police vehicles escorted a line of Audis towards the training ground.
The reporters immediately surged forward.
Cameras rose into the air.
Shutters clicked continuously.
The Audi convoy moved slowly through the gates.
Security kept the media outside, leaving them to watch helplessly as Beckham's car disappeared deeper into Newton Heath.
Club staff escorted Beckham directly towards the laboratory.
Along the way, he passed the first-team and academy training areas.
He stopped several times to greet familiar faces.
Curtis.
Terry.
Kaká.
Others he had met before.
The atmosphere was relaxed.
When Beckham entered the laboratory, Professor Fryer and his staff were already waiting.
The medical began immediately.
It was extremely thorough.
They examined Beckham's entire body, with particular attention paid to his legs and the areas where he had suffered previous injuries.
Then came a long series of more detailed tests.
Even Beckham was surprised by how comprehensive they were.
Professor Fryer explained what each examination was measuring and what the data suggested about Beckham's physical condition.
Beckham had heard plenty of praise for New Manchester United's sports-science department.
Only now did he understand why.
Some of the information they extracted from the tests even reflected issues from old rehabilitation periods in his career.
Problems Beckham himself had almost forgotten were visible in the data.
More than two hours later, Professor Fryer finally approved the medical.
Beckham was in excellent overall condition.
Healthy.
Fit.
Ready to train.
But the laboratory still wanted him to make several adjustments.
One concerned his free-kick technique.
The distinctive way Beckham struck the ball placed unusual strain on parts of his lower body.
Over many years, that could create problems.
The medical team planned to study his individual mechanics and design a conditioning programme that would reduce the physical stress without affecting the quality of his free kicks.
There were also several old injuries that had never healed quite as completely as they should have.
None were serious enough to stop him playing.
But if Beckham wanted to extend his career, the laboratory believed they should be treated properly rather than ignored.
By the end of the session, Beckham's initial curiosity had turned into genuine respect for Professor Fryer and his team.
He began asking questions of his own.
The medical staff recorded everything carefully so it could be incorporated into his future programme.
Once the examination was complete, Beckham was escorted back to the waiting Audi.
The convoy left Newton Heath and headed directly for Old Trafford.
Manchester United had initially resisted the idea of Beckham being presented there.
After negotiations, however, they eventually agreed.
...
"How does it feel, David?"
Ethan approached from behind before the press conference began.
Beckham gave a complicated smile.
"Good.
"Strange too.
"I don't really know how to describe it."
Only days earlier, he had still been one of the most beloved players in the stadium.
Now he had returned wearing the identity of another club.
Ethan knew exactly what he was thinking.
They had discussed it the previous night.
"Maybe you should prepare yourself for the Figo treatment," Ethan joked.
"Pig's head and all."
Beckham laughed.
Some reporters nearby caught part of the conversation through a gap backstage.
That was enough.
Once the press conference began, several journalists immediately asked Beckham what it felt like to return to Old Trafford under such circumstances.
Beckham answered carefully.
"I don't think I can really put it into words.
"I was proud to play in this stadium for Manchester United.
"And I'm proud that I'll now play here for New Manchester United.
"Manchester United will always be an important part of my past.
"But I'm a Red Rebels player now.
"And I'm proud to represent this club."
A reporter immediately followed up.
"José Mourinho has said the club's objective this season is survival.
"You're one of the biggest players in world football.
"Doesn't that seem unambitious?"
Mourinho, seated beside Beckham, gave a faint smile and gestured for David to answer.
Beckham did not hesitate.
"I respect José.
"He's an excellent manager.
"And I think survival is the correct starting point.
"We're a newly promoted Premier League team.
"A new season starts from zero for everybody.
"Whether you're the champions or you've just come up, the first thing you have to do is make sure you earn enough points to stay in the division."
Several reporters smiled.
It was a clever answer.
Beckham had supported Mourinho without allowing New Manchester United to sound timid.
If everyone began the season at zero points, then in a sense every club had to secure survival before it could achieve anything else.
Another question came.
"What about Sir Alex Ferguson?
"As FA Cup holders, New Manchester United will face Manchester United in the Community Shield.
"There have been rumours that one condition of your transfer was that you wouldn't play against your former club.
"Is that true?"
"No."
Beckham answered immediately.
"That's completely false.
"I'm a professional footballer.
"I'll play every match I'm selected for, whether the opponent is Manchester United or anybody else.
"Of course Manchester United are special to me.
"I respect the players.
"I respect the coaches.
"Without Manchester United, there would be no David Beckham."
Another reporter raised his voice.
"And if you score against them?
"Would you celebrate?"
Beckham thought about it.
Then shook his head.
"No.
"My responsibility as a professional means I have to give everything for my current club.
"If I get a chance to score, I'll take it.
"But if I score against Manchester United..."
He paused.
"I think I might cry.
"Then I'd carry on and give everything for the rest of the match."
That answer immediately quieted the room for a moment.
Afterwards, questions came rapidly.
Some were directed at Beckham.
Others at Mourinho.
Several at Ethan.
Eventually, the club's press officer brought the session to an end.
...
After the press conference, everyone moved into the stadium.
The stands at Old Trafford were already packed.
The presentation had been opened free of charge to club members and to supporters who held season tickets either the previous season or for the coming one.
Even with those restrictions, more than 30,000 people had turned up.
When Beckham emerged, the roar was enormous.
Ethan, as club chairman, stepped onto the temporary stage in the centre of the pitch.
He formally welcomed Beckham and gave a short speech.
He described the signing as the biggest transfer in New Manchester United's history.
He believed Beckham would strengthen the team on the pitch.
And he called the deal the best possible gift the club could give its supporters ahead of their first Premier League season.
Mourinho spoke next.
Then Beckham walked onto the stage.
The noise rose another level.
And only then did many reporters notice something unexpected.
Beckham was not wearing No. 7.
He was holding a No. 23 shirt.
That immediately caused a stir in the press area.
Hleb had worn No. 7 the previous season.
Now that he had left for Barcelona, the number was vacant.
Most people had assumed Beckham would inherit it.
Instead, No. 7 had gone to Cristiano Ronaldo.
Beckham had chosen No. 23.
Ethan watched the reaction with quiet satisfaction.
The decision had been carefully planned.
The player who had previously worn No. 23 had already left, so there was no dressing-room issue.
Commercially, the number offered something new.
In the United States, 23 was inseparable from Michael Jordan.
New Manchester United's commercial department wanted to expand aggressively into the American market.
They also believed Beckham could develop a second personal identity alongside the existing DB7 brand.
DB23.
Adidas supported the idea enthusiastically.
The rollout had already been prepared.
The moment Beckham's new number was officially revealed, Adidas stores across Manchester placed Beckham No. 23 shirts on sale.
Name.
Number.
Everything ready.
No delay.
No wasted attention.
It was only one part of the club's wider plan to maximise Beckham's commercial value.
And so far, everything was unfolding exactly as intended.
(To be continued.)