RISE OF THE FOOTBALL LEGACY

October 7, 2019, Carrington Training Ground, Manchester

Neil Goyal jogged onto Carrington's pitches, the sting of Newcastle's 1-0 loss fading as the Liverpool clash on October 20 loomed.

His Legendary Football System pulsed with potential: Off The Ball (20), Composure (10), Determination (9), First Touch (12), Finishing (20), others at 7. With Off The Ball and Finishing maxed.

Neil's 2025 Football Manager instincts targeted First Touch and Composure to master ball control and poise.

The system's objective glowed:

Impact Liverpool Match. Reward: 2 S.P.

With no S.P. banked, Neil trained with fire.

Ole Gunnar Solskjær's drills mimicked Liverpool's high press, testing Neil's Stamina (7).

His First Touch (12) caught a zipping pass from Paul Pogba, but his shot sailed wide, Composure (10) wavering. Michael Carrick nodded. "Stay calm, Neil. You're in the mix."

The system chimed:

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

Neil banked it, eyeing First Touch for Old Trafford's cauldron.

October 10, 2019, Manchester United U23 vs. Norwich U23, Leigh Sports Village

During the international break, Neil, a reserve team substitute, played in United's U23s match against Norwich U23s. Subbing on at half-time, his Off The Ball (20) carved space, and a pinpoint pass set up Angel Gomes for a goal.

United won 3-1, coaches praising Neil's vision.

The system pinged: Assist in Reserve Match: +1 S.P.

With two S.P. banked, Neil saved them, his focus on Composure for Liverpool's pressure.

October 11-19, 2019, Carrington

The international break emptied Carrington, but Neil stayed, grinding with reserves and youth. Solskjær returned, ramping up tactics for Liverpool's relentless attack.

After the player return from international break.

Neil's First Touch (12) shone in a 7v7 scrimmage, controlling a lofted ball from Juan Mata. His shot clipped the bar, De Gea smirking.

Rashford clapped him on. "You're ready, kid." Neil's Determination (9) surged, his FM knowledge recalling the real 1-1 draw—Rashford's goal, Lallana's late reply. Could he change history?

On October 19, Neil opened the system, two S.P. glowing. Liverpool's intensity demanded poise. He allocated one S.P. to Composure, raising it to (11), and one S.P. to Determination raising it to (10), a wave of calm steadying his nerves.

His stats now: Off The Ball (20), Composure (12), Determination (10), First Touch (12), Finishing (20), others at 7. The system reaffirmed: Impact Liverpool Match.

October 20, 2019, Old Trafford, Manchester United vs. Liverpool

Old Trafford's 74,000 fans roared, the air crackling as United faced unbeaten Liverpool. Neil, number 47, sat on the bench, heart hammering.

The system rewarded his presence: Matchday Squad vs. Liverpool: +1 S.P.

United pressed early, and in the 36th minute, Marcus Rashford latched onto Daniel James' pass, slotting past Alisson.

1-0.

The Stretford End erupted, Neil's Off The Ball (20) itching to join the fray.

Liverpool pushed back, Van Dijk and Salah testing De Gea. In the 60th minute, Solskjær subbed Neil on for Andreas Pereira, the crowd buzzing. "Go win it, Goyal!" Solskjær barked.

Neil sprinted on, his Determination (10) blazing. A pass from Fred came fast, but his First Touch (12) bobbled, Matip clearing. Focus, he thought, his Composure (11) holding firm against Liverpool's press.

In the 75th minute, a chance ignited. Pogba's through ball split Liverpool's line. Neil's Off The Ball (20) saw him dart past Lovren, unmarked. The ball reached him, his First Touch (12) cushioning it.

Facing Alisson, his Composure (11) steadied, and his Finishing (20) rifled a low shot into the net. 2-0. Old Trafford exploded, Neil sprinting to the Stretford End, fists pumping. Rashford mobbed him, grinning. "That's Inzaghi stuff, mate!"

Liverpool clawed back. In the 85th minute, Adam Lallana pounced on a loose ball, tapping in Oxlade-Chamberlain's cross. 2-1. Klopp roared, United wobbling.

Neil's Determination (10) refused to crack. In the 92nd minute, stoppage time ticking, De Gea's long clearance found Rashford, who nodded to Neil.

His Off The Ball (20) outfoxed Van Dijk, his First Touch (12) flawless. One-on-one with Alisson, his Composure (11) held, and his Finishing (20) dinked the ball over the keeper.

3-1. Old Trafford shook, fans chanting "Goyal! Goyal!"

The whistle blew, United stunning Liverpool 3-1. Solskjær hugged Neil, his boyish grin wide. "You're a game-changer, lad!"

X exploded: "Goyal's double sinks Liverpool! United's new hero!"

The system chimed: Objective Complete: Impact Liverpool Match. +2 S.P.

October 20, 2019, Evening, Old Trafford

In the locker room, Rashford high-fived Neil. "Two goals against Liverpool? You're unreal, kid." Greenwood smirked. "Inzaghi would be jealous of the way you scored the goals"

Neil's chest swelled, his 2025 fanboy self awestruck. Solskjær pulled him aside. "You turned the game, Neil. Stay hungry." The victory eased United's woes, Neil's brace a beacon.

That night, Neil opened the system, three S.P. glowing (1 from matchday, 2 from impact). Liverpool's press exposed his need for better control.

He allocated two S.P. to First Touch, raising it to 14, his boots feeling magnetic. One S.P. went to Composure, pushing it to 12, a deeper calm settling in.

His stats now read: Off The Ball (20), Composure (12), Determination (10), First Touch (14), Finishing (20), others at 7.

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

October 20, 2019, Night, Manchester United Dormitory

Neil lay in his bunk, Old Trafford's chants echoing. His FM knowledge had predicted a draw, but his brace rewrote history.

The brace against Liverpool was his biggest achievement till now, his United legacy soaring. With First Touch (14) and Composure (12), Neil Goyal, the reborn poacher, was ready for Europe's stage against Partizan Belgrade.