Manchester United - Once Again

I've spent the last forty minutes or so, outside a small conference room where Kurt Zouma's agent, Destin Ningamba and, my coach, Gian Nicola Biscotti, and the middle-man, Jim Lager are discussing contractual terms. After initially being adamant about being present during the contract negotiations, I had to be explained by Gian that it wasn't really in my job description to negotiate deals. When the Azpiliceuta deal got cancelled because of unreasonable agent fees, surely there would've been some raised eyebrows, but the board trusted my decision to not go over the limit. If I was somehow involved in a second failed negotiations on the same day, that could've been deemed unacceptable. Besides, after the initial distrust and rage shown by the Italian, this was his turn to make up for the misconduct.

While I looked out from a window on the far end of the corridor, I noticed a hoard of press reporters fighting one another for a good spot for the scheduled press conference. Suddenly, all of them started running in the direction of the parking lot, jostling for position better than professional footballers. It was pretty evident - our first signing of the season, Lucas Digne, was on his way to the stadium. While I looked on, waiting to meet my new player for the very first time, the conference room door opened. Ningamba was the first to walk out, giving me two thumbs-up - that was a positive sign, unless that meant something else in Central Africa. He was followed by Lager and Biscotti, the former walking towards me with an extended hand. "Congratulations, Mr. Vidyasagar, Kurt Zouma will soon officially be a Manchester United player". Biscotti gave me a affirmative nod as I shook Lager's hand. "Shall we go and start off the press conference, boss? Lucas has already arrived", said Gian, before leading the way towards the exit.

The French Connection

Standing with Lucas Digne by my side, in front of flashing cameras and shouting reporters, I tap the microphone to check whether it is on, and making sure everyone has my attention.

"Members of the media, I would like to formally announce the signings of Lille hot-prospect, Lucas Digne, to Manchester United. I am delighted to welcome Lucas into our ranks, and we believe he can reach the height of his potential at our club", I said, before looking at a journalist standing in front of the large group, raising his hand. He proceeds to ask, "Hello, this is Patrick Collins from Mail au dimanche. My question is - Lucas had mentioned prior to leaving his former team that he wanted first-team action. Will he be in your first-team plans in the new season?"

I looked at our new acquisition, then Biscotti, before placing a hand on the former's shoulder. "With Fabio going on loan, Lucas will be our back up left back to Patrice, once he learns the tempo and style of the English game. We are confident in his ability to step up when required."

"You mentioned Lucas replacing Patrice Evra, who is your current vice-captain. Did you particularly look for a French left-back as the perfect replacement?", said Jacques Pritt, from a sports magazine, with a wide smile on his face. I replied, also maintaining a smile, "Of course not. Your country just happened to produce 'the next Patrice Evra', and I wouldn't let him go that easily, knowing how talented Patrice is. He will be helping Digne settle into the club and mentor him off the pitch as well. It will be a good learning experience for the youngster."

"And sir, could you tell us, if you don't mind me asking, why this press conference is at Stade Geoffroy Guichard instead of Carrington or Old Trafford?", asked a young female reporter, obviously more fluent in French than English. "Well, Lucas Digne isn't the only player we are here to talk about. We have also agreed terms with AS Saint-Etienne youth player, Kurt Zouma, which I am sure you were already aware of. After finalizing the deal, we thought it was necessary for the French media and public to know of our new French connection, which we are in France itself."

"Manchester United have a history of having faith in youngsters and signing them on longer contracts than most teams. Have you maintained that tradition?", asked an experienced journalist from the Times. "Yes, certainly. We have signed up both players on four-year contracts, and we expect them to stay at United for a long time.", I replied and left the dias to Biscotti who took the remaining questions.

Determined Set Of Youngsters

I walk into Carrington, our training facility, to watch the boys warming up, doing stretches and running about with the ball. Mike Phelan calls them in, when he notices my presence near the corner flag. I walked onto the ground, went down on one knee and touched the grass with my index finger - a routine from my playing days. The boys made a huddle around me, the tall figures of Vidic and Berbatov towering over me.
"Listen, boys, this isn't an actual match. Just because it lasts more than our normal training matches doesn't mean you do something reckless. I don't want anyone unnecessarily jumping into tackles and injuring themselves, and I certainly don't want any of you to injury your opponents. You eighteen have taken eighteen almost-guaranteed places in the first-team, and the boys from the reserves want to take the remaining spots. They are going to be playing out of their skins to impress me and the coaches, and also you, but I want you to take it easy. Keep it simple and let's try out some of our new tactics. Paul (Scholes), Michael (Carrick) and Rio, I want you to help out the reserves along with Mike (Phelan)"

The Travelling Begins

9th July, 2011

Royal Antwerp FC, a Belgian Second League team, has been Manchester United's affiliate for the past two years. Manchester United players from non-European Union nations are sent to Antwerp on loan to gain Belgian nationality and be able to play in England. The most recent player sent to Antwerp was Charni Ekangamene, who I definitely want to feature in tonight's game against his old club for nostalgia purposes.
As we stand in the dugout, the match moments away from starting, Mike Phelan, my assistant manager, informs me that our Brazilian expert, John Calvert-Toulmin and our man management expert, John Cooke were finalizing a deal with Brazilian youngster, Cidinho. Sir Alex Ferguson had personally asked the scout to bring the youngster down to Manchester for a trial, but when that wasn't an option, we structured a deal for Cidinho after watching a lot of his match tapes. "Looks like we've finished off our transfer shopping within the first week of the window, Mike", I said to my coach, while we walked out from the dugout into Bousil Stadium. Even though the Belgian crowd was aware we weren't going to field our strongest outfit, a 14,000 strong crowd had come to witness the match. This match wasn't going into any record books, but this was my first ever match in front of any kind of crowd and a television audience. Just three years ago, I was standing on that pitch, leading a young club as their captain, and now, I was leading Manchester United onto the pitch as manager.

Royal Antwerp FC VS Manchester United