Monday, August 14, 2023 — Old Trafford, Manchester — 6:45 PM BST
The team bus turned onto Sir Matt Busby Way while evening light caught the red shirts gathered behind barriers outside Old Trafford, and Demien sat near the window with headphones on though no music played because he wanted to hear what was happening outside.
Fans were packed three rows deep behind the barriers holding scarves with shirts with phones recording the bus's arrival, and some shouted for Bruno while others called for Rashford or Casemiro or Onana, then Demien heard his own name mixed into the noise.
"Walter! Demien!"
It caught him slightly off guard because he knew United fans were aware of him from the transfer plus the USA tour, yet hearing them call his name before he'd played an official minute made the pressure feel different than Atalanta where love came after performances rather than before proof.
