Chapter 35
Chapter 35
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Translator: Silver Dragon
Chapter: 35
Chapter Title: Unintended Excitement
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Lucas Cruyden's assist, Ban Yeager's goal—the score was now 1-0.
Manchester United connected their first attack straight into a goal, seizing the momentum early.
Leicester City, despite playing at home, found themselves on the back foot from the start.
Winning this match was their only shot at pulling down second-place Manchester United.
Even a victory here wouldn't guarantee a climb back to second in the league standings—not an easy feat—but a loss would all but kill their chances. Leicester City had no choice but to grit their teeth and fight.
If only things went exactly as planned. How beautiful would the world be?
But this wasn't a fairy tale for kids. This was soccer—the sport of men who lived with a burning fire in their hearts.
Manchester United crushed Leicester City 3-1.
Ban Yeager's stats: 1 goal, 2 assists.
In response, Lucas Cruyden posted 2 goals and 1 assist.
Not only did the pair show perfect chemistry, but Cruyden notched two assists right in front of Abdul Patau Issahaku—the current league assists leader—closing the gap to 9 assists, just one behind.
Next up: three league matches crammed into three straight days.
Round 37: Rexham
Round 38: Portsmouth
Round 39: Cardiff City
Ban Yeager added 2 goals and 2 assists across the triple header, hitting a massive 26 goals and 11 assists by the end of Round 39.
His partner, Lucas Cruyden, bagged two more goals in those three games, racking up 6 goals in just 5 matches for a stellar debut season.
With five days off until the next fixture.
Not league play this time—the FA Cup.
Only eight teams left standing.
And Manchester United was the lone second-division survivor.
Their quarterfinal opponent? A bona fide powerhouse holding fifth in the current EPL standings.
A club that reveled in United's downfall almost as much as their derby rivals—and stepped up to fill one of the Big Six voids.
Newcastle United.
——
Sure, Manchester United was on a roll, but critics couldn't let go of the fact that it was only possible because they were in the second tier.
The only way to prove they still had top-flight quality? The FA Cup.
To make this season count, promotion was key—but so was reminding everyone they were still Manchester United.
That's why they'd chased both league and cup without compromise.
The payoff: second place and FA Cup quarterfinals.
But they weren't satisfied. The Cup target? All the way to the title.
Newcastle United in the quarters was tougher than any team United had faced this season.
To prepare, Manchester United scheduled harsher training than usual.
The day after Round 39 against Cardiff City: light recovery, almost rest.
The day before the Cup match: morning session only, saving energy.
Sandwiched in those three days? Hellish schedule that had even pros whining.
After day one of hell training, the winning mentality forged a good vibe—players faked energy, even pretended to burn hotter.
By day two, the act fell flat.
Exhausted players crawled to their cars and dragged home.
Only two looked unfazed, breaths steady as ever.
Shockingly, one was Mason Mount—one of United's hopeless trio.
He'd always thrived on high work rate, but top stamina? Never.
'He's finally pulled his head out of his ass!'
The manager thought it, and so did the squad, sprawled on the pitch.
The other guy united them even more.
The second player breezing through Darren Fletcher's hellish day two? Ban Yeager—eternal last place in activity per minute.
'Wait, this dude could run like THIS???')
'Yeager... why...'
Even Lucas Cruyden, Yeager's ride-or-die, looked betrayed.
Yeager, ignoring the stares, eyed his teammates with concern.
'Seriously? Collapsing from this? How do you play soccer?'
His pre-regression nickname: The Devoted Maestro.
He ran the most to influence the most—a stamina king.
Regression didn't erase that.
——
Finally, the last day of hell training.
All sessions done, Ban Yeager headed to the manager's office for his usual chat.
"You sure you're okay?"
"No issues. Tomorrow's recovery anyway."
"I hadn't fully grasped your stamina level."
"Gotta manage it from a young age."
High activity early burns players out by mid-20s.
Even the best avoid it.
And with two more growth years ahead, extra care needed.
"Maybe try you at Volante if push comes to shove..."
"Don't even joke."
"Haha... kidding... tch."
He seemed genuinely bummed, but if I hated it, even the gaffer couldn't force me.
I'd sworn off Volante forever.
"Anyway, heading out."
"Right. Stay injury-free."
"Psh, no match tomorrow—what could go wrong?"
Destination: Manchester United's home, Old Trafford.
The inaugural Ban Yeager Guerrilla Fan Signing Event.
——
└Not really for me, but he's def here for the fans. Hasn't moved—signing nonstop in one spot.
Since joining Manchester United, he'd never made a special trip just for fans.
Sure, he'd stop for over an hour here and there when time allowed, but this? Deliberately showing up to meet fans? First time ever.
Local Manchester United fans weren't about to miss it.
Especially not the venerable Man U dynasty, the Smith family.
"Dad, Ban Yeager's at Old Trafford right now?"
"Right now?!!"
Victoria Smith was the first of the three Smiths to catch wind.
After witnessing his double hat-trick live against Birmingham City, she'd become his personal fan—tracking his every move. This time, fastest among those not already there.
'Good thing I followed him on Insta...'
She'd agonized over DMing encouragement but never pulled the trigger.
While obsessively checking his profile, she spotted the fresh post.
[Meet me at Old Trafford right now!]
Victoria quickly tipped off her dad and started dressing.
"Victoria! Hurry up!!"
"Coming...!"
David Smith, already ready, called from outside.
Daven Smith had somehow heard and was already in the car.
Clunk—
"Let's go!"
Buckled into the passenger seat, Victoria refreshed Insta to check if Yeager had left.
No new posts or stories, but searching his hashtag showed fresh pics rolling in.
'Still time...'
Less than 30 minutes after Yeager arrived and started signing, the Smiths pulled up.
And right then, Yeager dropped a loaded shout.
"Victory Man United!"
"""Victory Man United!!!"""
Local fans echoed the new chant he'd started.
Among them, only Victoria took it as a personal greeting. The steel-hearted bandwagoner's resolve began to melt.
Yeager beamed with pride at the responsive crowd.
'Made it myself, but damn, it slaps~'