Football Dynasty

Although competition for places was fierce, it remained healthy and positive. With a decade of managerial experience behind him, O'Neill knew how to balance squad rotation and nurture talent without disrupting harmony in the dressing room.

He was always ready to give young players opportunities, but never in haste. Some youngsters tended to get carried away after just a game or two, and O'Neill would quickly bring them back down to earth—sometimes by keeping them on the bench, allowing them to observe their teammates and reflect on their own performances.

It was the same philosophy he applied when introducing youth players.

Ronaldinho, for example, had settled well during his year with Manchester's U-17s, but he still hadn't tasted the true intensity of top-flight competition. In youth matches, players often chased the ball's movement, while in the Premier League, defenders were more concerned with shadowing their opponents than tracking the ball. The physical demands were on another level entirely.

At just 17, Ronaldinho had time on his side. O'Neill was patient with him, believing that, in time, the young Brazilian—and the rest of City's academy prospects—would learn to cultivate that same patience themselves.

However, when Zanetti brought up this topic, O'Neill couldn't help but glance at Mourinho, who was sitting just in front of him.

Mourinho, intrigued by Zanetti's tale, leaned forward with interest. He knew well how disciplined Zanetti had been as a player—rarely caught out of position, never one to lose focus.

That was why the story stood out. Even though the nutmeg incident had only happened during a training session, it still carried weight. To see someone as meticulous and controlled as Zanetti momentarily undone was enough to capture Mourinho's full attention.

The very next day, Mourinho wasted no time. He went straight to Steve Walford, the current Manchester City U-17 manager.

When he raised the issue, Walford handed him a list of players—though what stood out most were a few remarkable names.

Coincidentally, Manchester City's U-17s had a match scheduled that very day. It was an FA Youth Cup tie against Manchester United's youth team at Maine Road. He took out his cell phone and called Walford to let him know he wanted to take the car to Maine Road to watch the match.

Walford, who heard Mourinho say he wanted to come to the match, was left speechless. Why was everyone suddenly so eager to watch his youth team play?

"The boss is also here," Walford finally said.

"Oh, Martin's here to watch as well?" Mourinho asked casually.

"N-no, not him," Walford stammered. "I mean… the big boss."

"The big boss?" Mourinho frowned, taken aback. 'Don't tell me you mean Richard Maddox.'

And he was indeed right—it was Richard who had come to watch the match.

Richard arrived at Maine Road early. The parking lot outside was almost deserted, a rare sight. Had he come a day later, it would have been nearly impossible to find a space if he were running late. Stepping out of the car, he was greeted by the quiet emptiness of the ground.

Aside from the faint applause in the distance, the only sound that cut through the air was the sharp blast of a referee's whistle.

"Has the match already started?"

Feeling a bit parched after the excitement, he hurried back to grab a bottle of water. Although he wasn't on the pitch himself, simply watching from the sidelines and absorbing every moment was enough to keep his adrenaline rushing.

That was what Richard enjoyed most about these youth matches. With so few spectators around, he could slip straight onto the bench and watch from the touchline, close to the action.

"Eleven seconds! An incredible goal! A delightful play! John Terry heads it clear, and Michael Carrick picks up the ball, driving forward nearly twenty meters before shifting it from the left side of the pitch to Ashley Cole. The English lad delivers a decisive diagonal pass into the middle, and Ronaldinho once again finds the back of the net! Unbelievable! Their speed left the Manchester United players in the dust, with pinpoint passing that pushed the game forward without a single step back until the ball was in the net!"

On the other side, Eric Harrison, Manchester United's youth coach, looked stunned, seemingly taken aback by the turn of events.

Harrison was a legendary figure, instrumental in the development of the club's most famous academy graduates. Known for his tough, old-school approach, he had a rare ability to nurture talent while also instilling discipline and life skills in his players.

His academy produced a remarkable generation of stars, most famously the "Class of '92"—including current David Beckham, Ryan Giggs, Nicky Butt, Gary Neville, and Paul Scholes.

They played a major role in United's 1995–96 Double (Premier League and FA Cup) and were key to the club's dominance—until their neighbors suddenly rose to challenge them.

Harrison felt the beginnings of a headache.

After delivering the Class of '92 into the core of the first team, the next wave soon followed—John Francis O'Shea, Jonathan Greening, Daniel John Higginbotham, Michael James Stewart, Luke Harry Chadwick, David Jonathan Healy, and Ronny John Wallwork.

Yes, United's academy was still very strong, but seeing how they had conceded a goal in just 11 seconds, Harrison rubbed his temples in frustration.

He was already in a tough spot; with a draw and a loss in the first two matches, another defeat would likely see his team drop to the bottom of the league standings. He clapped his hands on the sidelines to encourage his players, hoping to lift their spirits and push for a goal.

"Hey, guys, there's still plenty of time left! Don't let your heads hang low! We once scored nearly ten goals against them—we can outscore them again!"

His words lifted the young United players' spirits, and they rallied together to mount a series of threatening attacks after kickoff.

Richard, having just arrived, heard the opposing coach's motivational shout, his words cutting through the noise of the match. The history was undeniable: United had scored a total of nine goals against City back in 1995.

But that was two years ago. Since then, City had evolved—not just their first team, but their academy as well.

When the club's owner, Richard Maddox, appeared on the sidelines, the first to take notice of him were, of course, the staff.

"Jose? What are you doing here?" Richard was taken aback when he saw José Mourinho.

"I've come to see if the youth team has any outstanding players," Mourinho said graciously, offering his seat to Richard.

Richard, hearing this, nodded as he accepted the explanation. "Is Martin here too?" he asked.

Mourinho shook his head. "No, it's only me, sir—"

"Just call me Richard," Richard interrupted instantly.

He disliked being addressed as "sir," as it made him feel old and formal. He preferred a more relaxed tone, wanting the conversation to be straightforward and personal.

After finishing his discussion with Mourinho, Richard watched the match. From time to time, he would also hear Walford briefing Mourinho on the game's tactics, while introducing several players who, in his view, were ready to make an impact.

Ashley Cole, for instance, had grown tremendously over the past year. Playing on the left flank alongside Ronaldinho, he had sharpened both his defensive awareness and attacking instincts, showing the kind of maturity that belied his age.

In the backline, John Terry and Jonathan Woodgate had also emerged as pillars of the U-17 defense. Their partnership brought a blend of grit and composure, setting the foundation for a unit that looked far more organized than one might expect from teenagers.

PHWEEEEE~

The first half ended with Manchester City leading 1-0 against Manchester United, thanks to their early strike.

As the second half was about to begin, Richard, sitting at the back, listened to Walford talk midway through the half.

"Manchester United loves to employ a high-pressing, aggressive style. If they can successfully impose this on their opponent early in the game and score, they'll maintain relentless pressure until the other side breaks down. Their defenders stay tightly attached to in-form forwards, rushing to intercept the ball—or even committing fouls to stop the attack. Samuel and Ronaldinho, listen carefully: don't get caught in physical tussles with their defenders. Drop back toward midfield and pay attention to their positioning. They might not always stick to you, but they habitually press up close at certain moments, creating significant gaps behind them," Walford explained.

He then turned to the newest addition to the current U-17 squad, Shaun Wright-Phillips. "When that opportunity arises, a cross from one of the flanks will send the ball behind their defense. Let's race! I believe there are few defenders who can turn and catch up with you. That will be your time to shine."

Wright-Phillips had been released by Nottingham Forest at age 17, and Manchester City picked him up at Maine Road. He made his first-team debut as a substitute in the second leg of a Youth Cup match against Burnley, replacing Craig Bellamy and helping his team turn a 1–0 deficit into a 2–1 win. Wright-Phillips went on to feature more regularly than Bellamy in the youth side.

PHWEEEEEEE~

The second half began.

Walford always subtly praised the players' strengths while strategizing, fueling their motivation to execute his tactics.

However, United's high-pressure style had been effective for quite some time. They closely marked City's players involved in building up their offense. Though they didn't always manage to disrupt every play, they certainly wouldn't allow any effective buildup.

City's defensive tempo continued until the sixty-minute mark of the second half.

After failing to make an impact, United's forwards began showing signs of frustration, and their defense also started to lapse.

Terry intercepted a ball from United's Luke Chadwick at the edge of the penalty area, but instead of mindlessly clearing it, he remained composed and kept control.

Among the center-backs, Terry's footwork was noticeably superior to Woodgate's. According to Walford's strategy, Terry was not only responsible for defensive duties but also for distributing the ball effectively after winning possession.

Carrick waved for the ball from a gap in the middle of the pitch, and Terry delivered a precise pass through the crowded area.

Receiving it cleanly, Carrick shifted sideways, skillfully evading the pressing United players. He quickly scanned the field, then lofted the ball into the opponent's half, setting up the attack.

"Nice play," Mourinho said, leaning forward as he began taking notes.

One of the midfielder's key abilities wasn't just distributing the ball—it was how he could escape the press, maintain composure under pressure, and create opportunities to deliver the next pass effectively.

For the fifteen minutes leading up to this, Ronaldinho had been trying to link up with Ashley Cole as usual for key passes, relying on him to deliver the decisive ball. However, it hadn't worked well, as United's players had been tightly marking both of them, preventing any effective attacks.

This time, Ronaldinho chose not to play it wide but to create a threat himself!

Richard marveled at Ronaldinho's maturity from the sidelines.

'What a clever player!'

Although he expected youth players to follow the manager's tactical plans meticulously, he believed it was better to allow moments of spontaneous brilliance. A player who could read the game and make smart decisions would always earn Richard's admiration.

Carrick's ball soared over midfield, flying above the heads of United's entire backline. It was destined to land around forty yards from goal.

United's defenders immediately turned to chase back, ready to use their bodies to block City's forwards.

But the two center-backs found themselves trapped.

Once Carrick released the ball, Ronaldinho and Samuel Eto'o executed a perfectly timed interchange of runs, leaving United's defenders unable to commit close fouls. The maneuver created confusion and opened a clear path toward goal.

Not to be forgotten, the pacey Wright-Phillips also made a run, stretching United's defense and leaving a gap in the middle.

The moment they burst into motion, they unleashed an astonishing burst of speed, both thinking in perfect sync.

United's defensive line suffered a painful punishment; in mere seconds, Ronaldinho, Eto'o, and Wright-Phillips had opened up a gap of over a meter between the defenders, and that distance continued to grow.

Eto'o was faster, but knowing he wouldn't reach the ball's landing spot, he peeled away to act as a distraction.

After a brief moment of silence in the once-buzzing Maine Road Stadium, both City players found themselves in a one-on-one situation, closing in on United's penalty area like unleashed beasts. The crowd held its collective breath, sensing a storm about to break.

Ronaldinho reached the dropping ball just as United's goalkeeper rushed out to confront him. With less than three meters between them, he chose not to shoot immediately. Instead, he selflessly passed the ball to the late-arriving Eto'o.

Eto'o, who had lagged slightly behind, was clearly onside. With a single touch, he surged into the penalty area, already past the line where United's keeper could effectively intervene.

The goalkeeper lunged, trying to block the shot, but the angle had vanished.

Eto'o continued toward the byline, skillfully evading the keeper, and spotted the open net with a perfect thirty-degree shooting angle. Rather than finish himself, he returned the favor, sliding the ball back to Ronaldinho, who had positioned himself in front of the goal, anticipating the chance.

With ease and precision, Ronaldinho slotted the ball into the open net.

The fans in the stands erupted, all rising to cheer, applauding, and waving their arms, excitement written clearly across their faces.

Ronaldinho's family, in particular, roared with joy, their voices rising above the rest of the crowd.

Eto'o, Wright-Phillips, Joe Cole, Owen Hargreaves, and Michael Carrick immediately sprinted toward the corner, knowing Ronaldinho was already waiting. Together, they enveloped him in a jubilant group hug, celebrating the brilliance of the goal.

On the bench, Ledley King, Wayne Bridge, Scott Parker, Gareth Barry, Jermain Defoe, and Craig Bellamy quickly joined in, cheering and embracing their teammates.

At the back, John Terry, Jonathan Woodgate, Ashley Cole, and Wes Brown also joined the celebration, hugging Chris Kirkland, the goalkeeper, who had made several key saves during the match. The entire team came together, a mix of joy, relief, and camaraderie radiating across the pitch.

Manchester United's youth team conceded another goal, and it was a humiliating one—they were being toyed with.

The strike dealt a devastating blow to their morale, almost like a death knell echoing across the pitch!

Richard, who saw the goal, clapped his hands. However, if someone observed him closely, they might find his reaction unusual. While he was clasping his hands, his eyes were focused elsewhere, glancing to the side—perhaps at José Mourinho, who was currently busy writing something in his notes.

It was his note that made Richard pay attention to him.

Name: Samuel Eto'o Fils

Age: 17

Club: Youth Academy (observed at Manchester City trial/youth match)

Position: Central Striker / Forward

Physical Attributes:

Excellent pace and acceleration; able to exploit defensive gaps quickly.

Strong for age, capable of holding off defenders in duels.

High stamina and work-rate; shows no drop in intensity across the match.

Technical Skills:

Clinical finishing with both feet; shows composure in front of goal.

Good aerial ability for age; able to challenge for headers effectively.

Solid dribbling and ball control in tight spaces.

Tactical Awareness:

Intelligent off-the-ball movement; reads defenders well.

Able to create space for teammates by drawing defenders out.

Shows early understanding of timing runs behind defensive lines.

Mentality & Character:

Confident and fearless on the ball; demonstrates opportunism.

Quick decision-making, knows when to pass, dribble, or shoot.

Willing to track back and contribute defensively.

Strengths:

Speed and acceleration make him a constant threat on counter-attacks.

Versatility; can drift wide or drop deep to link play.

Natural instinct for positioning and finishing.

Areas to Develop:

Needs refinement in tactical discipline.

Consistency in decision-making under pressure.

Awareness of defensive responsibilities in structured play.

Summary: Already shows the makings of a complete striker. Exceptional physical tools, tactical intelligence for his age, and strong finishing ability. Keep monitoring for versatility, tactical refinement, and consistency in front of goal.