Ethan's thoughts were heavy with the weight of what he had just scribbled on that scrap of paper. K. M. B. The initials haunted him now, like a vision of something larger than the sum of its parts. He'd dared to think bigger than the pragmatic decision to pursue Declan Rice, but it felt right. If he was going to rebuild Manchester United, why not aim for the stars? Why settle for just good when greatness was within reach?
He'd spent the last few hours at Carrington overseeing some tactical discussions with Ten Hag, but his mind kept returning to that name. K. M. B. He wasn't sure if it was an impossible dream, a fluke of fantasy, or a sign of something more. He laughed at himself. Focus, Ethan. You're not playing FIFA.
But he couldn't help it. In that moment, Manchester United's ambition could no longer be confined by their past or the status quo. If United were going to be relevant again, they needed to show the world they weren't afraid to make bold moves.
The next morning, Ethan and Ellie were in his office again, more emails flooding in, but now it was different. There was an urgency in the air, something crackling with potential. They were no longer passive observers. The world was watching, and Ethan felt it. United had been dormant for too long, but today was the day they would announce they were awake.
"Rice is a priority," Ellie said, her voice steady, but there was a hint of excitement in it. "Arsenal are still in the lead, but there's an opening. He's keen, but not sold yet. They're still listening."
Ethan was pacing now, lost in thought. "Let's put together something persuasive. I want Rice to know he's not just another cog. This isn't about selling him on United. It's about him believing in us."
Ellie nodded. "I'll prep the materials. You want Ten Hag on this call?"
"Absolutely. I want him to feel the energy of what we're building. Rice needs to see that."
By the time they had Rice's agent, Nick, on the line again, the mood had shifted. It was no longer a typical negotiation. This time, it was a meeting of minds, a conversation about where they were headed and why Rice could play a central role in it. It was about selling a vision, not just a paycheck.
"Nick," Ethan began, leaning into the conversation, his voice more confident than it had been just days ago, "I know Declan's options. He's got plenty of suitors, and we respect that. But we want to offer him more than just a paycheck. We want to offer him legacy."
Ten Hag spoke up, his sharp eyes focused on the reports in front of him. "Declan is more than just a player for us. He's the heartbeat of a team that will challenge for the biggest trophies. We don't make promises about easy titles. We make a commitment to building greatness."
Nick's expression softened, as if he was beginning to understand. "That's… an interesting approach. I'll need to talk to Declan, but I think this is the direction he's leaning. He wants to be part of something."
The call ended on a hopeful note, but Ethan knew better than to rest easy. They were still in the trenches. This was just one battle, and the war was far from over.
As the days ticked on, the pressure mounted. United had been patient, but time was not their ally. Other clubs were circling like vultures, and each day that passed without a major signing left them vulnerable to criticism. The media was starting to buzz with the question: When will United start making moves?
Ethan sat in his office late one afternoon, reading the latest headlines when his phone rang. He saw the name on the screen. Nick.
He answered quickly. "Ethan, good news. Declan's on board. He's agreed to join. He wants to take this challenge head-on."
Ethan exhaled in relief, but he didn't allow himself to smile. Not yet. They'd made the deal, but the job wasn't done. Rice was just one player, and there were still holes to fill. Still, it was the first step. A big one.
That evening, as Ethan drove home, he reflected on the significance of what they'd just accomplished. Declan Rice wasn't just a player; he was a statement. A signal to the world that Manchester United were no longer content with mediocrity. The signing wasn't just a victory in the transfer market — it was a message of intent. United were coming for what was theirs.
As he walked into his apartment, he saw the whiteboard in his study — filled with names, potential targets, and complex strategies. One name was still scribbled in bold letters. K. M. B.
Ethan shook his head, smiling to himself. He couldn't let go of the dream. If Rice was the start of something special, then maybe, just maybe, there was more to it. More to build, more to dream.
The next morning, Ethan woke up early, as usual, but today felt different. It wasn't just the sense of accomplishment with Rice; there was an electrifying anticipation in the air. His phone pinged with new transfer rumors, but this time, they didn't feel like distractions. They felt like opportunities.
By mid-afternoon, Ethan was sitting across from Ten Hag and Ellie, the three of them staring at a new set of transfer reports. The Rice deal was nearly sealed, but their next steps would be even more crucial.
"We can't rest on our laurels," Ten Hag said, his sharp eyes focused on the reports in front of him. "We've signed a leader, but we still need more firepower. The attack isn't strong enough to challenge the top teams."
Ethan agreed, the weight of the decision pressing on him. They needed more than just a central midfielder. They needed a marquee forward, someone who could change the game, electrify Old Trafford. A player who could make fans forget the past and get excited about the future.
He glanced down at the whiteboard again. K. M. B.
Without thinking, he wrote the name next to it.
Kylian Mbappé.
The room fell silent. Ellie and Ten Hag both looked at the name, and then at Ethan. The thought of signing someone like Mbappé seemed insane, even for a club of United's stature. But it wasn't a pipe dream. Not anymore.
"Ethan, you're thinking about the impossible," Ellie said cautiously.
He shook his head. "It's not impossible. It's ambitious. We can make this happen."
Ten Hag leaned back in his chair, his hands steepled. "He's world-class. No doubt about that. But the question is whether he's willing to leave PSG for a project like ours."
Ethan smiled. "That's the challenge. And that's what makes it worth fighting for. If we can bring in Rice, we can bring in Mbappé."
Ellie looked between the two men, shaking her head with a grin. "If you pull this off, Ethan, you might just break the internet."
He laughed. "It's not about breaking the internet. It's about building something no one can ignore."
That night, Ethan sat alone in his study, the weight of the task ahead hanging heavy on his shoulders. Kylian Mbappé. Could it be done? Was it too crazy to even try?
He took a deep breath, staring at the phone on his desk. This was the moment he had been preparing for his whole life. The revolution he had been dreaming of was no longer a distant thought. It was happening.
His fingers hovered over the phone for a moment before he dialed the number.
"Hello, this is Ethan Cross. I'd like to speak to Kylian Mbappé's agent."
The journey had only just begun. But Ethan knew one thing for sure: this was the beginning of something special. And it wasn't just about getting the best players — it was about creating a team that would fight for greatness. A team that would rise above, make history, and, above all, dream again.
As the city of Manchester buzzed under the floodlights of Old Trafford, the revolution had only just begun.