Chapter 61: Maenggu, Let’s Play~ (1)

There was a time when the name Manchester United struck fear into the hearts of all football fans.

That era was Manchester United under the reign of Sir Alex Ferguson.

They dominated the Premier League for years.

Their home ground, Old Trafford, was called the ‘Theatre of Dreams’ by their players.

And to their opponents, it was the ‘Stage of Nightmares’.

Their play was like an unshakeable bomber, so much so that one wondered if anything could stop Manchester United back then.

They received special attention in Korea as well.

That was because our nation’s proud midfielder, Park Jisung, was playing a major role there.

Any fan who stayed up late to cheer in front of the TV back then will remember the fervor.

However, even Manchester United, who seemed destined for eternal greatness, began to decline after Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement.

Just as people envy those more successful than them, their downfall was a hot topic in the football world.

In Korea, they were mocked with names like ‘Man-jung-ddak’ and ‘Maeng-gu’, and their past glory became a thing of the past.

But Manchester United in their revival period was different.

Here, Manchester United had overcome their decline and were once again instilling fear in their opponents with overwhelming performances reminiscent of their golden age.

This was thanks to the recruitment of Raul Cruz, considered the best manager of the modern era.

He fixed Manchester United’s problems one by one at an incredible speed.

He normalized many issues like player factions, lack of will to win, and board interference in an instant.

And gradually transformed them back into the Manchester United that the fans missed.

Thus, Manchester United was finally able to reclaim the top spot in the Premier League.

However, not satisfied with this, Raul Cruz’s eyes fell upon Yoo Heesung.

Yoo Heesung, his chosen one, initially seemed to struggle amidst prejudice and racism as an ‘Asian player’.

But with the manager’s firm belief and the sincere friendship of his teammates, he finally shattered all prejudice.

And ultimately created a new legend that surpassed the Manchester United of the Sir Alex Ferguson era.

Of course, this was before Yoo Heesung was signed.

And there was no assessment that they had surpassed the Manchester United of that era, but the current Manchester United had certainly established themselves as a strong team always contending for the title.

Such a Manchester United was belittled in an interview by a young prospect from City, a mid-table team last season, a team they no longer even considered a rival.

The Red Devils, they had been waiting.

For the time to teach this arrogant Manchester City kid a lesson.

And the day before the 16th round of the league, the press conference arrived.

***

The interview, a day before the match, was scheduled to take place at the press conference room of Old Trafford, Manchester United’s home ground.

In line with this, Manager Peter Guardian and I were on our way to the interview venue.

‘But why did he bring me?’

The manager, who always brought the captain along when he brought a player, was taking me with him today for some reason.

“Curious why I’m taking you?”

“Yes, you usually go with the captain, not me.”

‘It’s the first time I’ve seen a prospect brought to an interview for a derby, and at the opponent’s stadium at that…’

“I’m taking you because it’s you.”

“Huh?”

“Taewoo, think about the interview you gave when you joined.”

The question only grew bigger.

But looking at the manager’s somewhat sly smile…

“Taewoo, with your personality, if you get provoked, you’ll just fire back, right? Derbies are supposed to be that fiery. Matias is too nice to do that.”

‘No, what kind of person does the manager see me as…’

A noisy press conference room.

“Wow, this match is going to be more interesting than I thought.”

“I know, right? Who would have thought City would be in first place until now.”

“Well, they’re still no match for Manchester United.”

“City could overcome their decline and win the title, just like Manchester United, right?”

When a naive female reporter with horn-rimmed glasses spoke cautiously.

The other reporters laughed and replied.

“…Come on, you can’t just win the title because you want to.”

In their common sense, it was an impossible task.

In recent Manchester derbies, City had lost every single one.

For such a City to beat Manchester United?

The Manchester United that was considered even stronger than last season?

“If they beat Manchester United, maybe. But how can City beat Manchester United?”

“Manchester United is invincible this season.”

“City is currently in first place, though.”

A moment of silence fell at her words.

“Are you a City fan?”

“W-Well, yes…”

“Haha, you poor thing. Of all teams, you’re a City fan.”

“What’s wrong with being a City fan-“

Just then, the entrance to the press conference room opened, cutting her off.

“Hello~”

Manager Raul Cruz entered with a friendly and bright voice.

He wore his usual gentle smile, but his presence alone made the air in the room instantly heavy.

The man who led Manchester United’s revival, who was even called an absolute authority at Manchester United, had an overwhelming presence in and of himself.

Alex Turner followed behind him.

The captain, a symbol of Manchester United, his expression was unusually grim.

Raul Cruz looked around.

“Ah, it seems the City side hasn’t arrived yet. Let’s wait a little longer before we start.”

Before he could finish his words, the doors to the press conference room opened again.

“We’re a bit late. I apologize.”

It was Peter Guardian and me.

“Huh? It’s not Matias?”
“Jeong Taewoo instead of Matias?”

Whispers of surprise from the reporters spread throughout the room.

As derbies involved aggressive questions and answers.

The reporters couldn’t help but be surprised, as it was common to bring the veteran captain rather than a prospect.

But they soon sensed that this situation could be a great opportunity for them.

“Isn’t he the one who took a shot at Manchester United at his signing ceremony?”

“If he gives fiery answers like last time…”

The reporters’ eyes began to sparkle.

Even if they were football fans, they were still reporters who loved a scoop.

“Haha, it’s an honor to see such a famous player these days.”

At Raul Cruz’s words, I looked at him.

‘His aura is incredible.’

They say people at the top of their profession have an aura to match.

Raul Cruz, as a man who had maintained his position at the top of football management.

Exuded his own overwhelming presence.

“It’s an honor to meet you too, manager.”

‘But why is that guy staring at me like that?’

To be honest, Raul Cruz was on my mind.

But the player next to him had been staring at me with a sharp gaze since the moment I entered the press conference room, which was bothering me.

‘Is he my fan?’

But to think so, the hostility in his gaze was too intense.

“Well, it seems we’re ready now…”

Raul Cruz spoke to Peter Guardian with a smile.

“Manager Guardian, shall we begin the interview?”

Peter Guardian glanced at me for a moment before nodding.

“Yes, let’s begin.”

The reporters all picked up their pens and pressed the buttons on their recorders.

“It’s the first Manchester derby of the season, what are your predictions for the result?”

Manager Raul Cruz, who picked up the microphone first at the reporter’s question, began to answer.

“The reason football is so loved by people is because the result is unknown. We have also prepared a lot to beat City, but City must have prepared just as hard, so the result is unknown.”

Manager Peter Guardian also nodded and took over.

“I agree. The ball is round. Even if our recent record isn’t good, that doesn’t predetermine the result of this match.”

The reporters were clearly disappointed by their polite answers.

But they continued with their questions as if they had already prepared their next move.

“I have a question for Alex Turner. What do you think about the comments Jeong Taewoo made when he was signed?”

The reporters’ gazes all turned to Alex Turner.

They didn’t have high expectations.

The Alex Turner they knew was not the type to provoke other players first.

“In my opinion, Jeong Taewoo is the most outstanding and sensational player of his age.”

The reporters waited for his next words with a ‘well, of course’ expression.

‘Was I mistaken? His gaze was definitely hostile just now…’

But as if my intuition wasn’t wrong, his next answer was the real beginning.

“But I have seen countless players throughout my football career. And as someone who has watched very closely how prospects who lacked respect for other teams have fallen, and what kind of results they ultimately face…”

He looked straight at me and continued as if telling me to listen carefully.

“I hope Jeong Taewoo doesn’t ruin his talent by being frustrated in this match. Because Manchester United is a team that only goes up, not down.”

It was a direct refutation of what I said when I was signed, ‘Manchester United only has down to go, and City only has up to go.’

‘He’s got a temper. Well, it’s not like I can’t understand.’

If a Manchester United prospect had dared to belittle City back when they were constantly winning, he probably would have done the same…

‘Understanding and not being angry are two different things.’

Just because I understood didn’t mean I wasn’t angry.

“Jeong Taewoo, what do you think about Alex Turner’s answer?”

The female reporter with the horn-rimmed glasses threw a question.

For some reason, she looked angry.

‘A City fan? Well, it’s a good question anyway.’

“Among the players, I like Leo the most.”

At my words, the reporters looked at me with a ‘what on earth is he talking about all of a sudden?’ expression.

‘Just wait a moment. A bold answer needs a build-up.’

“So I want to express my gratitude to Manchester United for creating a place for my name to be engraved next to Leo’s record.”

“Uh, what you mean is…”

“Yes, I will prove to the fans by creating a victory for City with a clean sheet in the Manchester United match as well. That City is on the rise.

And I don’t have much to say about Alex Turner’s answer, but if you insist, I’d like to answer like this. Was there any player among the fallen and frustrated players you’ve seen so far who was as good as me?”

As soon as my words ended, camera flashes erupted.