[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-start-with-r9-template":3,"chapter-start-with-r9-template-start-with-r9-template-chapter-366":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},1388610,1840,"Chapter 366 - 366","start-with-r9-template-chapter-366",366,"\u003Cp>As the referee's final whistle echoed through the \"Theatre of Dreams,\" Old Trafford transformed into a roaring sea of red.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Every fan in the stands beamed with a mixture of relief and pure, unadulterated joy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Thought you were the best team in the universe, didn't you? Today, we showed you reality!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Did Barcelona's number 10 even show up? I didn't see him all game!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The top two scorers in La Liga only managed two goals over two legs? Pathetic.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The top scorer in the Premier League? Three goals and an assist! Now that's what strength looks like!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While the Manchester United faithful celebrated, they didn't miss the chance to stick the boots into the traveling Barcelona supporters.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For years, encounters with the Catalan giants had felt like a recurring nightmare.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Despite the brave talk before kickoff, a deep-seated anxiety had lingered in the air at halftime. Now that the job was done, the fans finally let their emotions fly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>United fans are famous for their sharp tongues, and they provoked the Barca fans until faces flushed red and middle fingers were flipped in a desperate, losing exchange.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But with only two thousand visitors in the ground, their voices were quickly drowned out by seventy thousand voices singing in triumph.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a total defeat for the visitors. Most Barcelona fans chose to exit early, distancing themselves from the heartbreak and silently adding Manchester United to their list of eternal grudges.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They'd have to wait for next year's Champions League to seek their revenge.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the pitch, Ling and Scott McTominay stood shoulder to shoulder, gazing up at the Manchester night sky.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In United's 141-year history, many talented players have graced this grass, but few symbolize the perfect blend of natural talent and raw, hard work like these two.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ling and Scott symbolize the future of this club,\" Gary Neville said with a genuine smile in the commentary booth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I hope ten years from now, I'm still witnessing a scene like this at Old Trafford.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Neville, often critical of the modern squad's unmet potential, finally saw the vibrant energy he'd been craving.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sense of stagnation had vanished, replaced by a hope that anyone in the stadium could feel.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Scott, you've transformed today,\" Ling said, unstrapping the captain's armband.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He held it out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Come on, feel the weight of this responsibility.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>McTominay looked down in shock.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The mud-stained elastic was something he'd dreamed of, but as he held it, it felt almost scalding.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Better give it back to you,\" he said, shaking his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In football, the captain isn't always the one with the most appearances, it's the one with the strongest leadership—the ones like Beckham in 2002 or Gerrard in 2005.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>McTominay didn't feel worthy yet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It's fine, you'll wear it sooner or later anyway,\" Ling replied.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He knew McTominay was the type of player who put the team before personal glory.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These types of players don't always grab the headlines early on, but they're the ones who become true legends.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I actually hope I never have to wear it while you're here,\" McTominay said with a sincere grin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even though playing next to Ling was like standing next to the sun—you're rarely noticed—it felt comfortable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was always someone ahead, guiding the way.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Ling walked toward the tunnel, he couldn't help but think about loyalty.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In an era dominated by commerce and media spin, the concept of \"one club, one city\" had become a luxury.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He respected those who stayed, like Reus or De Rossi, but he also knew that being a professional was a career.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He wouldn't mind writing a fairy tale at Manchester United, but he wouldn't let the club take advantage of his love for the badge either.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You played really well. Can we swap jerseys?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ling turned to see Ousmane Dembele.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Frenchman didn't look nearly as disappointed as he should've been.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was the poster boy for \"happy football,\" seemingly unaffected by the weight of the loss.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I can, but aren't you worried about the Barca fans?\" Ling asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Swapping jerseys with the man who just knocked you out wasn't exactly great optics.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ah, it's fine,\" Dembele waved it off.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was used to being the scapegoat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At Barca, Valverde wouldn't dare criticize Messi, so the heat always landed on Dembele.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As long as he got paid, he didn't mind the noise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ling handed over his shirt, thinking to himself that it made sense why Dembele didn't mind the pressure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was happy to let someone else carry it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Further down the pitch, Lionel Messi sat on the grass, head lowered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Last season's exit to Roma was painful, but at least they'd reached the semis.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This year, despite dominating La Liga and beating Real Madrid twice, they'd been picked apart by a Manchester United side that had struggled in the group stages.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He couldn't wrap his head around why the heavy investment in the squad was yielding worse results every year.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suarez sat down beside him, trying to sound upbeat. \"Don't put it all on yourself, Leo. You played well. Losing isn't just one person's fault.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Messi gave a short nod, but he knew the score.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Barcelona was facing a financial crisis.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If they didn't win big next season, a major overhaul was coming, and his friends might be the first ones out the door.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had to get stronger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the post-match press conference, Mourinho was in top form.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I saw a complete team today,\" he told the reporters. \"McTominay's performance in attack and defense far exceeded my expectations. I admire hardworking players like him.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When a reporter asked about Ling's performance, Mourinho chuckled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You don't need me to hype him up, your phones are already full of unique praises. I don't like mindlessly calling players 'spiritual leaders' or the 'best in the world' in a press room. Strength is proven on the pitch.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a direct jab at Valverde, who had recently claimed everyone should \"worship\" Messi.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mourinho found that kind of talk irritating.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the neighboring room, Valverde was desperately defending his position.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"One match doesn't prove anything,\" he insisted. \"You must respect Leo. He's a treasure.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When asked if he'd be fired, he looked confused. \"Which coach can lead Barcelona to defend a league title better than me?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A reporter from The Sun quickly rattled off names like Cruyff, Guardiola, and Enrique.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Valverde paused, then simply said, \"Next question.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When asked about Ling, he couldn't resist one more bit of sycophancy for his own captain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ling is promising, but if he wants to progress, he should watch highlights of Leo and learn from his idol.\" (Is he really this unhinged ? i dont watch laliga so i barely remember him.)\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>....\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The United dressing room was jumping.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ashley Young had a rock track blasting, and the players were dancing. Ling, however, was focused on another screen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Even after Ronaldo scored first, Ajax still managed to come back and win,\" Ling noted. \"Juventus aren't what they used to be.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ajax advanced? Damn,\" Rashford chimed in. \"Shame we aren't on that side of the bracket, we'd be in the final for sure!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Shut it,\" Young retorted. \"Don't talk nonsense. Juventus and Barca just got knocked out by underdogs. Don't go inviting that luck.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pogba was quiet, staring at the floor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He'd hoped for a reunion with his former club in the final, but the Italian giants had fallen early.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Manchester City is playing Tottenham tomorrow. Should we go watch?\" McTominay suggested.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a day off, and it was a chance to scout their potential future opponents.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Problem is, tickets are impossible to get now,\" McTominay said, glancing at Ling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The whole room followed his gaze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ling, your girlfriend is Guardiola's daughter,\" Maguire said, his big head swaying. \"Getting a dozen tickets should be easy for you. This one's on you, Skip!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ling smiled wryly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He wasn't going to make Maria ask her dad for favors—the rivalry between the two Manchester clubs was too delicate for that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But he knew money solved most problems.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He'd just have Mendes pull some strings with internal tickets.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, he paid the man enough commission; it was time he earned it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Late that night, as the world debated whether the era of the two superstars was finally ending, the Red Devils slept soundly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ling had proven he was ready to carry the torch.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The focus now shifted to April 14th—West Ham at home.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the Champions League semi-final loomed on the horizon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>------\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I was editing the chapter against liverpool, i began to suspect the author is not manunited fans but liverpool, the amount of dickriding words he have towards Van dijk is insane 😂\u003C\u002Fp>",1455,"2026-06-05T22:48:23.062Z",1,"novelbin.me","e0956d70bde3e98153dc1118b403a9613d12235fade406bffd4899bd1a6e9604","start-with-r9-template-chapter-367","start-with-r9-template-chapter-365",371,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fstart-with-r9-template-cover.jpg"]