[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-start-with-r9-template":3,"chapter-start-with-r9-template-start-with-r9-template-chapter-332":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","Start with R9 Template",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},1388797,1840,"Chapter 332 - 332","start-with-r9-template-chapter-332",332,"\u003Cp>Although Manchester United had ultimately secured the victory against Southampton, the atmosphere within the team was far from joyful, instead, there was a sense of an impending storm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After the match, Mourinho called a mandatory meeting for everyone in the dressing room, singling out Jesse Lingard and Paul Pogba for criticism.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He left absolutely no room for saving face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Throughout his entire coaching career, he had never compromised his standards with any player, regardless of their reputation or price tag.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ling initially thought the matter would blow over with a harsh warning, but then Mourinho directly announced that Lingard would be demoted to the youth team for half a month to \"cool off.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upon hearing this, Lingard's mood plummeted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, he considered himself one of the team's key contributors, having played a role in helping Manchester United secure a double last season.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if he hadn't achieved the greatest individual feats, he felt he had certainly put in the hard work over the years.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He simply couldn't accept such a harsh public punishment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Boss, if that's the case, I might have to trans—\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before Lingard could finish his threatening sentence, Ling sharply interrupted him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Jesse! Stop! Some things can be said, and some things cannot. Think very carefully before you speak!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two had come up together from the youth team to the first team, and recently, Lingard's family had been going through some personal issues.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So, maintaining a stable job at the club was crucial for him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And once certain words like a transfer request were spoken to Mourinho, there would be no turning back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ling understood Mourinho's ruthless character better than anyone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lingard felt as if freezing water had been poured over his head; his reckless anger was instantly replaced by sobering calmness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He looked down and said dejectedly, \"Boss, I accept the punishment.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In truth, Lingard's form had declined significantly recently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was worth noting that he wasn't a player known for his innate, world-class talent. What had brought him this far was his sheer diligence and focus on the pitch.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But recently, he could no longer channel his energy entirely into football.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for the reason? The massive profits from managing his personal social media platforms.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For instance, he had recently launched his personal clothing brand, \"JLingz,\" and made attention-grabbing, controversial statements on public platforms.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To put it simply, it felt like he was trying to transition from a professional footballer to a full-time internet celebrity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mourinho glanced at Ling and sighed helplessly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He knew his star player valued loyalty and friendship, which was why he had stepped up to stop Lingard from making a fatal mistake at such a tense moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, everyone in the room knew it would displease the head coach for a player to interrupt him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hadn't Rashford, Pogba, and others all tried to keep their distance and stay quiet?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If it had been the Mourinho from five years ago at Chelsea or Real Madrid, Lingard wouldn't have played another single minute this season.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the end, Mourinho just waved his hand and said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That concludes today's meeting. Get out.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Manchester United players quickly made their escape.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lingard wanted to approach Ling to thank him, but Ling paid him no attention, walking straight past him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'Did he really think I have won't be mad?' Ling thought, frustrated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If it weren't for their years of camaraderie in the academy, he wouldn't have stuck his neck out today, no matter what.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After driving back to his apartment in the city, Ling wasn't troubled by the incident anymore.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Following his usual routine, he turned on the TV and watched a match replay of Atlético Madrid.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although he often got carried away with passion while playing, he made every effort to avoid external distractions off the pitch.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was the most basic professional discipline.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From that day onward, the Manchester United dressing room became much quieter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone trained with renewed, fearful determination, afraid of following in Lingard's footsteps to the reserves.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, the atmosphere felt somewhat oppressive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fortunately, veterans like Valencia and Ashley Young stepped up to offer guidance, and since most players were reasonable, the team soon returned to its previous, harmonious atmosphere.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Time flew by, and it was now March 7th.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Atlético Madrid players arrived early at Old Trafford for warm-ups.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Ling emerged from the tunnel onto the pitch, he glanced around and noticed many familiar, rugged faces missing from the Spanish side.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ah, right—they were suspended.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not far away, Alvaro Morata watched Ling with eyes full of envy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Honestly, he somewhat regretted not choosing to join Manchester United after leaving Real Madrid.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In fact, during the 2017 summer transfer window, Manchester United had indeed extended a serious olive branch to him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, Zlatan Ibrahimovic was severely injured at the time, and United urgently needed a top-class striker.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was just that negotiations between Real Madrid and Manchester United had broken down over the fee.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Later, Morata had explicitly expressed his willingness to join United.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, it was his childhood dream to play for the Red Devils.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unfortunately, United's executive efficiency was too slow, and Chelsea swooped in at the last minute.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Otherwise, I could have won a few trophies too.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Playing alongside Ling would have been great, Morata glanced at Antoine Griezmann and muttered to himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A pity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Who knows if he'll ever get another chance to play at the Theatre of Dreams in red.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon, Old Trafford buzzed with electric excitement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The stands were filled with vibrant red, and a giant Tifo was unfurled in the Stretford End.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ling waved to the fans as he jogged out, immediately drawing thunderous cheers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While the players warmed up, the pre-match press conferences had already taken place, with Mourinho and Diego Simeone inevitably trading barbs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nothing new, though.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Simeone called Mourinho's tactics cowardly and outdated, Mourinho accused Simeone's team of playing dirty, anti-football.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Both, of course, insisted their side would secure victory tonight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for who actually felt more confident? Undoubtedly, Mourinho!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With a full, rested squad, playing at home, and facing an Atlético side missing three key physical players due to suspension, United should comfortably be able to defeat Atlético, right?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, that last statement was a slight exaggeration of confidence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Mourinho had already devised targeted tactics, and today, they were definitely not playing for a draw.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Attack!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because United had recently faced a series of minor setbacks—like conceding first to relegation-threatened teams and minor internal issues surfacing—overall morale had inevitably dipped.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They had to seize this massive European opportunity to crush their opponents and lift the spirits of both the players and the fans.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Half an hour later.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Players from both teams lined up on either side of the tunnel, each receiving a close-up from the broadcast cameras.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Emilia, holding Ling's hand as his mascot, chirped loudly, \"Ling, I watched a cartoon recently called PJ Masks. The villains in it are just like Atlético.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The little girl even struck a heroic pose, hands on hips, glaring at the towering Atlético players across the tunnel!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"When night falls over the city, a team of heroes stands ready, fearlessly fighting crime!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, the Atlético players' faces instantly darkened, their eyes wide as they tried to intimidate little Emilia with glares.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Don't take what a child says so seriously, lads,\" Ling quickly pulled Emilia behind his legs, meeting the furious gazes of the Atlético players without flinching.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without waiting for a response, he turned back and winked exaggeratedly at the little girl, making Emilia cover her mouth with giggles.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Enough! It hasn't been long since we got three yellow cards because of their cheap tricks. Have you all forgotten already?\" Diego Godín scolded his teammates in a low voice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ling understood the Spanish but didn't care.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What did he mean by \"cheap tricks\"?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If Atlético could foul maliciously and provoke deliberately, but others doing the exact same thing to them was considered immoral—wasn't that just being hypocritical?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Remember the pre-match arrangements, lads. Just stick to the plan,\" Ling reminded his teammates down the line.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon, the stirring Champions League anthem blared out, and players from both teams followed the referee onto the pitch.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Old Trafford instantly transformed into a roaring sea of red.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>---------\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Read 30 chapters ahead and support me on patreon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>patreon (.)com\u002FNewbietranslator\u003C\u002Fp>",1391,"2026-06-05T22:48:23.063Z",1,"novelbin.me","b974de9e140ae5f5ed295a5d6791c950cc35ad1544e80895fbef9b98138fa13f","start-with-r9-template-chapter-333","start-with-r9-template-chapter-331",371,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fstart-with-r9-template-cover.jpg"]