Chapter 23
Chapter 23
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Translator: Silver Dragon
Chapter: 23
Chapter Title: Miracle's Butterfly Effect
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The second half resumed with a score of 3-0.
In truth, at this point, it was virtually impossible for West Ham to stage a comeback against Van Yeager's Manchester United.
Having already been thrashed by Van Yeager multiple times, they couldn't afford to give him even a sliver of freedom.
But assigning a dedicated marker to Van Yeager would make it impossible to break through Manchester United's tightly packed defense.
It was a true dilemma, caught between a rock and a hard place.
The bigger issue was that West Ham had nowhere left to retreat.
Unlike the long haul of a league season, a loss in the FA Cup meant instant elimination.
And to boot, it would be at the hands of the very team they'd mocked for getting relegated.
In the end, West Ham's players had no choice but to take the risk and charge into enemy territory.
And so, West Ham withered away in the second half without tasting even a single glimmer of hope, ultimately kneeling in defeat.
Manchester United 5 : 0 West Ham United
Thanks to Van Yeager's full-match heroics once again, Manchester United secured a resounding 5-0 victory.
Garnacho and Ethan Wheatley, subbed in during the second half, each nabbed a goal, proving the attacking depth was alive and well...
Well, not quite revived, but at least they could rest easy knowing the job gets done.
EPL king Van Yeager damn
With that, all FA Cup 4th round (Round of 32) matches concluded, and among the teams advancing to the Round of 16, only two were from the Championship—Manchester United included.
It'd be nice to draw the other Championship side, Southampton, but since the FA Cup redraws completely, there's no way to know the opponent until the actual draw.
Manchester United's joy over their 4th round win was short-lived.
That very evening, the Round of 16 draw took place.
"It's a tough one..."
"Mm~"
"It's a tough one..."
Darren Fletcher, the manager, was mumbling as if begging someone to ask what his dilemma was.
I'd already shared my opinion multiple times, but he was still at it.
"What do you think?"
"This is the fourth time already... My answer's the same: no need to give up either."
"Hmm..."
Even firm answers didn't help.
Darren Fletcher wasn't agonizing over what was right or best.
He was hesitating because it was a no-win situation where any choice could lead to massive consequences.
"Manager, giving up the league doesn't even make sense to begin with."
"Of course. We need promotion at minimum, and..."
"Ideally, no playoffs if we follow my plan."
"Ugh... right... Never thought the chairman would approve that proposal..."
"Anyway, you agree the league is non-negotiable, so the real worry is the FA Cup—and there's even less reason to drop that."
Darren Fletcher had started groaning two days ago, right after the FA Cup 4th round win over West Ham United.
From our chat, he'd apparently thought they'd lose "honorably" to West Ham and planned to focus solely on the league post-elimination.
But they won decisively, igniting fans' expectations for an FA Cup title.
"You know we haven't lost a league game since I arrived. This is grounded confidence."
"I know, but I'm not worried about you. You get that, right...?"
Of course I did.
Darren Fletcher was the one who trusted me most at Manchester United.
His league loss fears weren't about me—it was the team's defense.
"Bernal and Menang are here now. I think it's doable."
"Ugh..."
The goal: finish top 2 in the league while running the FA Cup.
With the Championship's packed schedule, it was like juggling three comps including Europe by EPL standards.
And not just holding position—they needed to reclaim 2nd, so worries piled up.
"Sigh... If only Lucas were here, no worries."
I casually dropped it in front of the fretting manager, and he latched on immediately.
"...That kid's really that good?"
"Told you~ With him, striker worries gone for at least 9 years~"
"Hmm... Not 10, but 9... The specificity makes it sound legit."
"De... depending on club management, even longer's possible."
I'd accidentally based it on the future up to 2038 that I'd seen.
Anyway, he maintained world-class form through 2038, so longer wasn't a lie.
"You kept raving, so I watched his tapes. Remember thinking he wasn't quite that special..."
"Was the opponent Everton U-18 by chance?"
"Yeah, think so."
Of all games, he saw the worst one.
"No harm in trying him with first-team training, right?"
"Hmm... You heard the rumors lately?"
"Sudden what...?"
"You related to Lucas Cruijff somehow? His mom's Korean."
What came out of nowhere?
I knew Lucas's mom was Korean, but we weren't connected before.
"Not doubting you, but rumors say you're pushing a call-up for a buddy despite the skill gap."
"Ah..."
Fair enough, it could look that way.
My form was great, but it was player performance.
Suddenly hyping one guy like a scouting genius? Could scream cronyism.
Especially since United's youth players fought brutal competition daily to earn and keep spots.
'Planned to grab Lucas quick and ease him in, but backfired.'
Time for a tweak.
Hold off rushing Lucas Cruijff.
Start bonds with other hidden talents first.
Step one: clear the misunderstanding with the manager.
"You sure?"
"Pardon?"
"Getting Cruijff into first-team training's easy. But convincing the doubters after? Got that in you?"
Didn't expect this much backing...
"Absolutely!"
Lucas wasn't lacking skill or mentality.
A finicky goal machine.
Used right, an unstoppable scoring engine.
"Fine, I'll announce first-team training now. If he flops, you won't take the heat, but your plans will."
"I know. Don't worry—expect great things."
"Haha..."
Darren Fletcher was already hooked.
"I'll head out then."
"Ahem... sure."
Swoosh—
As I left the office, door nearly shut.
"Haha... Finally, a proper striker..."
Even my dad doesn't trust me this much...
The shocking result of Manchester United vs. West Ham United.
If it left Darren Fletcher pleasantly rattled, it rattled the wrong side for another group.
Beyond rattled—full emergency.
The Korea Football Association.
"Do you think that makes any sense!!!"
"2030 World Cup's right around the corner. We need to fix this and act transparently now, or it's irreversible."
"Ughhh!!! Get out!!! I'm the president!!!"
"..."
Chairman Jeong Mong-gu swiveled his chair away.
Seeing the convo dead, Lee Dae-yong exited with a bitter look.
'Coach Kim Byung-ho takes responsibility! Prepping a presser to explain.'
'Fans forget quick and fill seats anyway!'
"Haa..."
Korean soccer... no, the Korean FA was rotten.
"It's not just Kim Byung-ho's solo act..."
No way a single coach trades U-17 World Cup spots.
He knew, but no solid proof—and even with it, not enough for big damage.
Was there truly no saving Korean soccer...?
As he left the building regretting, an unexpected contact came.
[Player Van Yeager]