LIGHTNOVELWORLD Chapter 263
The 17/18 season was a time of transition for Manchester United.
[Erling Haaland, despite failing to score, shows impressive performance…]
Haaland, who transferred to Manchester United, made his Premier League debut at the tender age of 17.
[Rodri assists Son Jinho’s winning goal.]
And taking advantage of Sami Khedira’s injury, Rodri managed to secure the starting position.
Though he was pushed out by the younger 1996-born kid, he accepted his salary with a bright face without even asking for more.
‘…Is this guy just the German version of brother Jooyoung?’
Seeing his satisfaction in receiving a high salary without working as a starter makes me think of a Korean senior who played at Arsenal.
[Robin van Persie requests a transfer….]
Van Persie, whose form has been declining and has gradually been excluded from Carlo Ancelotti’s plans, made a transfer request out of dissatisfaction, which was a different direction.
Well, I had no major complaints about Khedira getting his high salary.
After all, Khedira’s dedication contributed to Manchester United lifting the Big Ear.
In particular, Khedira had a healthy season in 16/17 with virtually no minor injuries and helped support a team that was crumbling under the weight of primary injuries to players.
“Sami! Let’s renew your contract!”
“Sure, sounds good.”
And Sami Khedira was not merely an expense at United. When Rodri could not play, Khedira stepped in as a rotation player and performed admirably.
Moreover, even if Rodri managed to push Khedira out and take the starting position, given Rodri’s young age, there was a need for mentorship and management of playing time.
Since Sami Khedira was satisfied with his life at United, the interests of both United and Khedira aligned perfectly, leading to a successful short-term renewal of 2+1 (including a playing coach).
[Sami Khedira successful in renewing contract with United, “I love Manchester United. This place is no different from my hometown.”]
Though his salary was slightly reduced, the contract also included support for obtaining a coaching license, and Khedira was pleased with the renewal conditions.
“Since I transferred to the Premier League, I learned something from watching Charlie Adam play…”
“…What is it?”
“People don’t die easily.”
While Khedira became a mentor to McTominay and Rodri, imparting vital life lessons to survive in the Premier League…
“Hey, Jude.”
“Jinho!”
“What brings you here at this hour!”
“Oh, Erling’s here too.”
I entered into player management for the future of Manchester United.
“Kids, how about we sign a nice lifetime contract?”
Their performances caught the eye of the ‘Big Papa’ Arsène Wenger, the overlord of the Premier League.
‘See, this is why pirates should just stay away.’
*
[Manchester United, Champions League back-to-back champions.]
[Manchester City, Premier League back-to-back champions.]
[City rules England while Manchester United dominates Europe.]
[In the controversy over the 2017 Ballon d’Or award, Cristiano Ronaldo silenced critics with his performance, achieving the ‘treble’ as top scorer.]
└ Wow. Damn, Ronaldo is insane!
└ This season, Van Persie has declined in form and has changed his playstyle to that of a goal-scorer and is performing well.
└ Top scorer treble? What’s that?
└ Seems he won the top scorer in the Premier League, FA Cup, and Champions League.
└ Hmmm… Is my brother not going to win the Ballon d’Or?
└ If he wins the World Cup, it seems possible?
└ Winning the World Cup and getting the Ballon d’Or would tie him with Messi, right?
└ Nah, nah. Messi has 5 Ballon d’Ors (2009/2010/2011/2012/2014), my brother has 3 (2013/2015/2016), and Shindu has 2 (2008, 2017).
└ Damn, still far from tying.
└ But considering the age, it seems guaranteed he’ll surpass Messi’s count.
└ Wow…. The three of them have been hogging it all since 2008. LMAO!
└ For real LOL.
[‘The Science of Arsenal?’ Miraculously turned the tables at the end of the league to finish third and successfully qualified for the Champions League.]
[‘Fourth place’ Liverpool, fails to qualify for the Champions League due to Manchester United’s victory.]
└ ??? Liverpool is 4th in the league, so why can’t they go to the Champions League?
└ The number of Champions League spots is allocated based on UEFA rankings; top 5 get 4 teams, 6 gets 3 teams, 7-15 get 2 teams, and 16 and below gets 1 team.
└ The Premier League is ranked 2nd in UEFA, so four teams qualify for the Champions League, but Liverpool, in 4th, lost their spot because United won the Champions League.
└ Shiiiiiiiit!
└ United Doctor: Liverpool is perfect for the Europa League LOL!
└ Where has Man Doctor been lately? He pops up like a ghost whenever we talk bad about Liverpool.
└ For real LOL.
[Manchester United, Champions League back-to-back champions, has a summer preseason tour planned for China, Korea, and Japan….]
└ ??? All the World Cup players won’t be there, right?
└ They say if they reach the semifinals or higher, they won’t participate.
└ I wish England could be knocked out in the quarter-finals from now on. Damn it LOL!
[‘The Rising Star of Manchester United’ Erling Haaland signs a long-term contract until 2025 with Manchester United.]
[‘The Second Son Jinho.’ Jude Bellingham signs a professional contract with Manchester United.]
*
With the end of the 17/18 season, it was time for the board to take action.
The board wrapped up the transfer negotiations for Robin van Persie, who had announced he would leave.
Robin van Persie departed for his former team, Feyenoord.
Due to frequent injuries last season, his form had rapidly declined, leading him to decide to spend his last season at his former club before retiring.
Transfers typically wait until after the World Cup when competitions like the Euros or World Cup occur, but this transfer happened quickly as the interests of the clubs and players aligned perfectly.
Manchester United set a low transfer fee out of respect for Robin van Persie’s five years of dedication to the team, which Feyenoord, his former club, had no hesitation in paying for the legendary Van Persie.
Manchester United held a farewell event at Old Trafford to express gratitude for Van Persie’s contributions.
In response to the farewell event at Old Trafford, Van Persie, after transferring to Feyenoord, did not let out the “inner child” joke.
[Robin van Persie disses Arsenal in an interview with Dutch media. “I’ve already proven it with my career. Moving to Manchester United was the best choice.”]
Instead, he did diss Arsenal.
[Robin van Persie, ‘Inner Child’ commentary version? “People often need to pay attention to the small voice echoing inside. That was just me moving to United.”]
Anyways, with Van Persie gone, Carrington Training Ground felt a bit empty.
The void was significant, both in terms of skill and entertainment value.
The insane guy who could match Ronaldo had disappeared.
In order to fill the gap left by Van Persie, Manchester United prepared to acquire a big name.
Last season, as Van Persie’s form declined, Cristiano Ronaldo’s off-the-ball movements sharpened, transforming into a goal-scorer.
Given Ronaldo’s age, the change in playstyle was expected.
Still, due to the lack of knee injuries, he showed a longer prime than in history, which was good for football fans.
Anyways, even though Cristiano Ronaldo played as a goal-scorer, being a former winger, he naturally had limitations in the striker position.
Ronaldo needed a striker who could create space for him as he made off-the-ball movements to find room.
Manchester United began to search for striker options.
Just then, a new option emerged from PSG, a player who wanted a new challenge: Zlatan.
“Though Zlatan is older, he still possesses star quality!”
Manchester United accepted Ed Woodward’s opinion and decided to acquire Zlatan.
Without a doubt, just before the Russian World Cup, Zlatan Ibrahimović’s unveiling ceremony was held.
I attended Zlatan’s unveiling as the club owner.
“Mino!”
“Oh, Jinho!”
Next to the smiling Mino Raiola appeared a man who clearly had a strong ego.
“I’m Zlatan.”
“I’m Son Jinho.”
Zlatan Ibrahimović introduced himself by suddenly extending his hand.
“I’m Zlatan.”
“I’m Son Jinho.”
And thus began a battle of egos between football geniuses.
“I’m Zlatan.”
“I’m Son Jinho.”
“I’m Zlatan.”
“I’m the club owner.”
“I’m Zlatan.”
“I’m the club owner.”
“I’m Zlatan.”
“I’m your employer.”
After a prolonged clash of egos, Zlatan finally acknowledged me after asserting the rights of my authority as the employer.
“Impressive. You are truly a man worthy of Zlatan’s acknowledgment.”
It seems the crazy guy of the “inner child” has left, and a new crazy guy has arrived.
“Puhuh…”
Seeing this, Mino Raiola burst into laughter with joy.
‘Why are you splitting? We’re in a serious moment here.’
Anyways, Manchester United was able to put out the urgent fire of the striker void with Zlatan’s signing.
Well, he’s a bit older, but….
With his thorough self-management, didn’t he play until 41 years old?
‘At least 2 years, right….’
He will perform well for Manchester United until Erling grows.
Zlatan Ibrahimović met Erling Haaland and became his mentor at the request of Mino Raiola and the club.
“Erling, from now on, you are my disciple. Show respect to your master.”
“Uh?”
I swallowed my laughter at the sight of Haaland trying to bow awkwardly.
“Erling, you are the disciple of the great man Zlatan, so you must be proud wherever you go.”
Hmm.
Can I trust him to take care of that?
*
[‘Here we go.’ Zlatan Ibrahimović joins Manchester United.]
[United skyrockets in stock price with Zlatan’s surprise signing.]
[Zlatan Ibrahimović reveals his ambitions at his unveiling. “It’s time the world knows. I will become the god of Manchester United.”]
└ Wow LOL, United is doing something great.
└ For real LOL, we were disappointed last season without any signings.
└ This year they were signing talented players long-term, so I thought it would be another zero signing LOL.
└ Disappointment is nonsense, Rodri did so well.
└ Rodri is acknowledged; I never thought he’d push Khedira out and take the starting spot.
└ But this signing is really unlike United’s usual approach.
└ For real, they’ve only been signing young players, and suddenly it’s 36-year-old Zlatan?
└ Wow…. Zlatan is already 36 years old. Isn’t that too old? Will he manage to play in the Premier League?
└ I am Zlatan. Zlatan ages backwards.
└ I am Zlatan, don’t typical talk like that; Zlatan doesn’t speak like that.
└ I am Son Jinho, and yes, this is Zlatan for real.
└ I am Zlatan. I’m going to Korea during the preseason. See you there, Korean.
└ Oh? If United signed Zlatan, he will come to Korea.
└ I am really looking forward to my brother Jinho!!
└ Wow, I am on a pilgrimage to the holy ground….
└ Did Zlatan really write this?
└ Unbelievable!
└ But why is everyone talking about being Zlatan here?
└ I’ve heard Jinho’s style is originally like this.
└ Insane LOL.
[Son Jinho reveals his social media comments with Zlatan Ibrahimović.]
└ ????
└ Unbelievable, how is this real?
└ Son Jinho is an insane guy; come on, this is clickable LOL.
└ Son Jinho??? Is your brother a friend of his or what?
[Son Jinho, joining England’s Base Camp, in an interview with Korean reporters…. “As the club owner of Manchester United, I plan to visit Korea shortly after the World Cup for my fans.”]
└ Of course, that’s Jinho, always shockingly refreshing!
└ There’s no club owner who thinks about fans like Jinho does~?
└ Since he’s coming as the owner, I guess he won’t be playing the matches?
└ They say he’s going to watch the United vs K-League All-Star game with his family?
└ ??? Then isn’t that just a vacation?
└ For real, he’s just going on a break with family in Korea LOL!
└ While he’s there, maybe he’ll meet up with friends? LOL!
└ Oh, Jinho is saying he’s coming for the fans, so he’s coming for the fans!
└ Oh man, this Ho-woo era is the worst honestly.
*
Wrapping up Zlatan Ibrahimović’s unveiling ceremony, I joined the England Base Camp located in Repino, St. Petersburg to compete in the Russian World Cup.
As the England National Team began to train together, time passed quickly.
On June 14, 2018, the Russian World Cup kicked off.
A short while later, in the opening match, the host country Russia won by a decisive 3:1 against Iran.
[[Video] Russian man excited after drinking vodka fights a bear and ends up in the hospital….]
Thanks to Russia’s dominant victory, the World Cup atmosphere began to heat up.
The day after the opening match of the Russian World Cup…
[2018 Russian World Cup Big Match: England, Euro 2016 champions vs Germany, 2014 World Cup champions.]
The ‘real’ opening of the World Cup was about to unfold with the big match ahead.