RISE OF THE FOOTBALL LEGACY

November 25, 2019, Carrington Training Ground, Manchester

Neil Goyal stormed Carrington's pitches before dawn, his Sheffield United brace fueling his quest to become Manchester United's leading striker.

His Legendary Football System glowed: Off The Ball (20), Composure (15), Determination (12), First Touch (20), Finishing (20), Stamina (8), Pace (9), others at 7.

Driven by Cristiano Ronaldo's work ethic, Neil targeted Stamina and Pace to outrun defenses, with Determination as his core.

The system's objective pulsed: Impact Astana Match. Reward: 2 S.P.

With no S.P. banked, Neil pushed his limits.

Solskjær's drills countered Astana's counterattacks, but Neil stayed late, running laps to boost his Stamina (8). His First Touch (20) snared a pass from Mason Greenwood, his Composure (15) steady as he rifled past De Gea.

Greenwood clapped. "You're a beast, Goyal!" The system chimed:

Objective: Show Hunger in Training. +1 S.P.

Neil banked it, his dream of eclipsing Rashford and Martial blazing.

November 26-27, 2019, Carrington

Neil's Ronaldo-inspired regimen was relentless. Dawn gym sessions piled on weights, his Stamina (8) screaming. Midday sprints pushed his Pace (9), chasing imaginary wingers. Nights ended with film study, dissecting Astana's Postnikov and Shomko.

Pogba caught him analyzing at midnight. "You're obsessed, kid!" Neil grinned, his Determination (12) unyielding. Before his regression, Bruno Fernandes' playmaking had been his obsession—those pinpoint passes kept United alive.

X buzzed with rumors: "Bruno Fernandes to United? January deal close!" Neil's pre-regression idol, Bruno's vision and grit, could soon feed his Finishing (20). His Composure (15) steadied his excitement, but the thought of Bruno's passes drove him harder. Neil skipped rest, his body aching, his striker ambition—Ronaldo's legacy—pushing him on.

November 28, 2019, Almaty, Kazakhstan

The team landed in Almaty, Solskjær's team talk sharp. "Astana's tough at home—stay sharp, hit fast." Neil, a first-team substitute, felt his seven goals and four assists ignite his hunger.

The system pinged: Matchday Squad vs. Astana: +1 S.P.

His regression instincts recalled United's 2-1 loss—Lingard's goal undone by Shomko and an own goal. Could he turn it? Neil gripped his boots.

November 28, 2019, Astana Arena, Astana vs. Manchester United

Astana Arena's 30,000 fans roared, the Kazakh cold biting. Neil, number 47, sat on United's bench, heart racing. United struck early, Jesse Lingard curling past Eric in the 10th minute.

1-0.

Astana hit back, Dmitri Shomko blasting past De Gea in the 55th.

1-1.

A Diop cross forced an own goal by Luke Bernard in the 62nd.

2-1.

In the 60th minute, Solskjær subbed Neil on for Angel Gomes, earning £2,000. "Change it, Goyal!" Solskjær barked. Neil sprinted on, his Pace (9) dodging Rukavina.

A pass from Fred zipped in, his First Touch (20) flawless, weaving past Zainutdinov. In the 70th minute, his Off The Ball (20) found space, and a sharp cross reached Greenwood, who nodded past Eric.

2-2.

The system chimed: Assist in Match: +1 S.P. Neil's assist earned €2,500, United fans roaring.

In the 80th minute, Neil's moment came. Pogba's through ball split Astana's line. His Pace (9) outran Postnikov, his First Touch (20) perfect. Facing Eric, his Composure (15) held, and his Finishing (20) slotted a low shot into the net.

3-2.

Neil slid to United's fans, earning £4,000, Astana stunned. The whistle blew, United clinching a 3-2 win, flipping the real 2-1 loss. Solskjær hugged him. "You're rewriting history, lad!"

X erupted: "Goyal's goal and assist sink Astana! United's star shines!" Rashford high-fived him. "That's the spirit, mate!" Pogba grinned. "Bruno's gonna love those runs!" De Gea smirked. "Another goal? I'm exhausted!" Neil's Composure (15) basked in their praise, his Determination (12) soaring.

November 28, 2019, Post-Match Press Conference, Astana Arena

Solskjær pulled Neil into the press conference. "Show them your fire, kid." Cameras flashed, Neil's Composure (15) steadying nerves. Solskjær fielded early questions, then a Guardian reporter turned to Neil.

"Eight goals this season—how's a Mumbai kid handling the spotlight?" Neil grinned. "Mumbai's streets taught me to dodge chaos—this is just a bigger stage!" The room chuckled, Solskjær nodding.

A Sky Sports journalist asked, "You're inspiring kids worldwide—what's your advice?" Neil's Determination (12) flared. "Work like Ronaldo, believe you're unstoppable."

A local reporter probed, "Your stamina's improving—secret to your rise?" Neil winked. "Just outrunning my fears every morning!" The press buzzed, X later raving: "Goyal's wit matches his goals!"

November 28, 2019, Evening, Team Plane

On the flight back, Rashford nudged Neil. "You owned that press room, mate!" Pogba laughed. "Kid's stealing my charm!" De Gea smirked. "Keep scoring, save my hands!" Neil's Composure (15) soaked in their banter, the 3-2 win easing the cold.

The Bruno rumor—his idol's looming arrival—felt real. Neil opened the system, three S.P. glowing. Astana's pace demanded more endurance.

Neil allocated one S.P. to Stamina, raising it to (10), his legs tireless. One S.P. went to Pace, pushing it to (10), his sprints electric. One S.P. boosted Determination, hitting (13), his resolve unbreakable.

His stats now read: Off The Ball (20), Composure (15), Determination (13), First Touch (20), Finishing (20), Stamina (10), Pace (10), others at 7.

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

November 28, 2019, Night, Manchester Apartment

Neil collapsed onto his sofa, Astana's chants echoing. His Sheffield brace, Brighton goal, and now Astana's goal and assist—his eighth goal, fifth assist—marked his ascent.

The Bruno buzz on X thrilled him; his pre-regression self had idolized Fernandes' flair. He video-called his parents in Mumbai, their pride glowing. "You're our hero, beta," his father said. Priya teased, "Don't forget me because of the stardom you are getting right now!" Neil laughed, promising he will never forget her.

Scrolling X, fans hyped his display: "Goyal's Ronaldo ethic is unreal!"

Critics jabbed: "Europa's not enough." Neil's Determination (13) flared—he'd prove them wrong. Tottenham loomed, and with Stamina (10), Pace (10), and Determination (13)

Neil waited for a bigger stage to show his abilities.