RISE OF THE FOOTBALL LEGACY

October 21, 2019, Manchester United Dormitory, Manchester

Neil Goyal sat on his bunk bed, the roar of Old Trafford's "Goyal! Goyal!" chants from the Liverpool 3-1 win still vivid.

His Legendary Football System hummed: Off The Ball (20), Composure (12), Determination (10), First Touch (14), Finishing (20), others at 7. With Off The Ball and Finishing maxed, Neil's 2025 Football Manager instincts targeted First Touch and Composure for poise and control.

A club email had arrived: "Contract meeting tomorrow." No agent, just Neil, facing United's boardroom alone.

He clutched a photo of his Mumbai family, their modest flat worlds apart from Manchester's glow. At 17, his goals against Liverpool, West Ham, and Rochdale had changed his life, yet he felt like a kid dreaming on FIFA.

The system pinged: New Objective: Sign First-Team Contract. Reward: 1 S.P.

Neil exhaled, nerves tingling for the biggest deal of his life.

October 22, 2019, Old Trafford, Executive Office

The Old Trafford boardroom intimidated, Ed Woodward and Ole Gunnar Solskjær facing Neil across a polished table. Woodward's tone was warm. "Neil, your Liverpool brace proves you're ready. We're offering four years as a role of a first-team substitute."

He slid over papers: £25,000 per week, £1.3 million yearly. Neil's throat tightened—more than his parents' lifetime earnings.

Bonuses listed £5,000 per Premier League start, £2,000 per sub appearance, £4,000 per goal, €2,500 per assist, and £25,000 for a top-four finish.

The release clause read £30 million. Solskjær grinned. "You're our gem, Neil, but we've set that to protect you."

Neil, channeling his FM savvy, nodded. "It's fair—my goals show promise, but I'm not a star yet." His Determination (10) steadied him as he signed, the pen heavy.

The system chimed: Objective Complete: Sign First-Team Contract. +1 S.P.

X buzzed later: "Goyal's new deal! £30m clause for United's wonderkid!"

October 23, 2019, Manchester City Center

Neil strolled through Manchester's Arndale Centre, his contract's weight sinking in. Fans swarmed, chanting, "You sank Liverpool!" His Composure (12) kept him smiling as he signed autographs, a girl in a United scarf calling him "Inzaghi reborn."

Fame felt surreal, every selfie a reminder of his rising star. His Composure (12) wasn't just for football—it steadied him in crowds.

At a quiet café, he video-called his parents in Mumbai. His mother, Anjali, wiped tears. "So much money, beta. Be wise." His father, Rajesh, chuckled. "Get us to Old Trafford soon!"

Neil promised flights, their pride anchoring him. He'd leaned on their advice for the contract, their caution shaping his bold signature. Mumbai's bustle felt distant, but home kept him grounded.

October 25, 2019, Carrington Training Ground

Training brought relief, Solskjær's Norwich prep intense. Neil's First Touch (14) snared a pass from Juan Mata, but his shot skewed, Composure (12) faltering.

The system rewarded effort: Objective: Maintain Focus in Training. +1 S.P.

Post-session, Paul Pogba pulled him aside. "New deal, eh? Stay humble, kid—money changes people." Neil nodded, Pogba's World Cup aura humbling him.

David De Gea joined, smirking. "£30 million clause? I'd pay that for your Liverpool goals!" Neil laughed, De Gea's reassurance easing his nerves. Marcus Rashford high-fived him. "Big contract, big pressure, mate. Keep scoring like against Liverpool, and you're golden."

Their words, from United's giants, fueled Neil's Determination (10), his FM dreams colliding with reality.

October 27, 2019, Manchester United U23 vs. Swansea U23, Leigh Sports Village

As a first team substitute, Neil did not need to play this match but he insisted, he played in United's U23s match against Swansea U23s. Subbing on in the 55th minute, his Off The Ball (20) found space, and a sharp pass set up James Garner for a goal.

United won 2-1, coaches praising his spark. The system pinged: Assist in Reserve Match: +1 S.P.

Neil banked it, his pool at three S.P., ready to refine his game.

That night, he opened the system. Pogba's advice echoed—poise was key. He allocated two S.P. to First Touch, raising it to (16), his boots feeling magnetic.

One S.P. went to Composure, pushing it to (13), a deeper calm settling in. His stats now read: Off The Ball (20), Composure (13), Determination (10), First Touch (16), Finishing (20), others at 7.

The system pinged: New Objective: Impact Norwich Match. Reward: 2 S.P.

October 29, 2019, Manchester Apartment

Neil settled into a modest Manchester apartment, his contract funding the move. The city skyline dazzled, a far cry from Mumbai's cramped flat.

He hung his United scarf, unpacking memories of street football. His first paycheck, minus taxes, stunned him. He sent £10,000 to his parents and donated £3,000 to a Mumbai school for sports development, his Composure (13) keeping wealth in check.

Scrolling X, Neil saw fans hyping his deal: "£30m for Goyal? Bargain!" Skeptics jabbed: "Three goals don't make a star."

His Determination (10) flared—he'd silence them. His sister, Priya, texted: "Fancy contract, bhai! Don't forget my United kit." Neil grinned, promising her a signed Rashford shirt.

October 31, 2019, Carrington

Halloween lightened Carrington's mood, players in costumes. Neil, a vampire, joined Brandon Williams and Mason Greenwood, spraying silly string on Carrick's desk.

Rashford laughed, tossing fake spiders. "Keep that First Touch sharp, Goyal!" Solskjær, in a wizard hat, winked. "Norwich next, lads—focus." The banter grounded Neil, fame's pressure fading.

Alone later, Neil reflected. The £30 million clause felt like a spotlight, his Liverpool brace a career launchpad.

Mumbai's chaat stalls and FIFA nights with friends felt worlds away, but his Determination (10) burned. With First Touch (16) and Composure (13), Neil Goyal, United's rising poacher, was ready to face Norwich and carve his legacy.