September 1, 2012 – Carrington Training Ground & U21 League Match vs Nottingham Forest
Morning – Carrington Training Ground
The sky over Manchester was dull grey, the kind that never promised sun. Perfect weather for a scrap or a football match.
Alex stood in the middle of the warm-up circle, juggling the ball on his thigh with ease, each touch crisp, confident.
The dressing room before the match had a different energy today. Quieter. Focused. The Derby game had been messy on and off the pitch. Everyone felt it.
Curtis sat across from Alex, headphones on, not even pretending to be civil. Jesse sat beside Alex, lacing his boots.
"You feel it, yeah?" Jesse whispered. "Something's changing."
Alex gave a small nod, still juggling the ball. "Yeah. The air feels… tighter. Like something's about to snap."
Jesse leaned in, lowering his voice even more. "It's you, mate. You're the thing that's changing."
Alex chuckled under his breath. "You sure it's not just the breakfast?"
Jesse smirked. "Nah. It's you. The coaches are watching different now. Scholesy was in the stands for training yesterday. That guy doesn't come down unless something's cooking."
"I noticed." Alex kept his tone cool, but his heart picked up.
Jesse elbowed him playfully. "You keep scoring like that, and they'll have you brushing boots next to Rooney before Christmas."
"I wouldn't mind that," Alex said. "I just want a shot. A real one."
Jesse's expression softened. "You'll get it. But when you do don't forget the ones who passed you the ball."
Alex grinned. "Don't worry. Assist bonus goes to you first."
They bumped fists.
[System Ping: "Atmosphere Detected – Turning Point"]
Mental State: Focus +3Trait Triggered: "Tunnel Vision – Distraction Immunity (1 match)"
Meanwhile – Around Manchester
The Manchester Evening News posted a short piece:
"Is Manchester United's Academy Hiding the Next Big Thing?"
Insiders suggest a young attacker at Carrington is making waves — fast, direct, and unafraid. With rumors of senior team interest, could we be witnessing the rise of a future star?
Match Day – U21s vs Nottingham Forest
Starting Lineup for Manchester United U21s
GK Sam Johntone
RB Marnick Vermijl
CB Michele Fornasier
CB Scott Wootton
LB Tyler Blackett
CM Ryan Tunnicliffe
CM Davide Petrucci
RW Jesse Lingard
CAM Alexander Marshall
LW Larnell Cole
ST Curtis Henshall
"Alright lads," McGuinness said as they lined up in the tunnel. "No drama. No trantrum. No outbursts. Just football. Go out there and win the match"
Alex could feel the eyes. Not just from the fans trickling into the small ground — but scouts, staff, and someone standing behind the dugout.
Was that... Nicky Butt?
Kick-off.
10th Minute – Testing the Waters
Forest came out aggressive. Long balls. Heavy tackles. Trying to rattle United early.
Alex dropped deep to collect, turned his marker with a smooth shoulder feint, and sprayed a diagonal ball to Jesse.
"Again!" McGuinness shouted.
[Trait Activated: Rooney's Insight – Controlled Fire]
Player remains calm under early pressurePlaymaking +2 for next 15 minutes
27th Minute – The Opening Strike
A turnover in midfield. Tunnicliffe sent a quick ball wide to Petrucci, who crossed it into the box. Alex surged forward like he'd seen the future.
One bounce.
The ball skimmed across the grass, kissed by the weight of Petrucci's cross. It came spinning into Alex's path, just outside the box. He didn't call for it. He didn't need to. His movement had already made the call.
He adjusted his stride.
One step. Two.
Volley.
His right foot met the ball with clean, vicious precision. The sound of leather striking leather rang out — a pure crack that cut through the hum of the game. It wasn't a wild swing. It was poetry in motion. Technique and timing meeting instinct in a single heartbeat.
The ball swerved, rising slightly before dipping hard into the top left corner. The keeper lunged — hopeless. It hit the net like a whip, snapping back out with a satisfying thud onto the turf.
Back of the net.
For a half second, there was silence — not shock, but awe. Then it broke: the eruption from the United bench, the slap of boots from teammates charging forward, and Jesse's voice ringing out above the rest.
"Oiiiii! You magician!" Jesse was already halfway to him, arms out, laughing. "You seeing-eye missile of a man!"
Alex didn't move right away. He just stood there, breathing heavy, eyes wide. He felt it — not just the goal. The moment. The shift. The invisible line he'd just crossed.
As Jesse jumped on his back and the others piled in, Alex's eyes flicked toward the sideline.
Coach McGuinnes was standing near the dugout, arms crossed tight, jaw clenched — but his eyes said it all.
Pride. Curiosity. A flicker of something sharper. Recognition.
Up above, on the balcony overlooking the training ground, Paul Scholes leaned forward just a touch. Normally a statue, today he shifted his stance.
Only slightly.
But for Scholes, that meant everything.
1–0 United.
No celebration. Just a finger to his lips as he stared at the Forest fans giving him stick minutes earlier.
[System Alert: "Breakthrough Arc – Progress +8%"]
Goal Type: Technical FinishStyle Points Earned: +3
Second Half – The Pressure Builds
Forest pressed harder. One of their midfielders went in studs-up. Alex dodged it by inches.
Then, from the sideline: "Oi, you think you're special, Marshall?" a fan shouts.
Another body-check. Another late tackle.
[Verbal Provocation Detected – Rival Taunt Bonus Triggered]
Controlled Fire: ActiveGrit Path: +2%
Alex got up, brushed grass from his sleeves, and walked away.
But inside? Fire.
74th Minute – Magic Moment
Curtis had the ball wide right. The defenders shifted toward him.
Alex saw the gap forming between their lines — invisible to most — but the game slowed down in his head.
He ghosted into the space. Exploiting the defenders loose position.
Curtis spotted him… hesitated… then passed.
Alex didn't hesitate. One touch to control, one to flick it over the incoming defender, and a right-footed shot curled past the keeper.
2–0 United.
Even Curtis couldn't help but nod.
Full-Time Whistle
United 2 – Forest 0.
Alex walked off the pitch, sweat clinging to his back, lungs burning.
He glanced at the stands. Nicky Butt was still there. So was one of the senior coaching staff.
They weren't clapping, but they weren't leaving either.
Post-Match Locker Room
Jesse tossed him a bottle. "That's how you kill a game."
Curtis sat down, looked up at Alex, and — for the first time — didn't scowl.
"Nice finish," he said. Quiet. Genuine.
Alex blinked.
"Thanks."
[Curtis Rivalry – Slightly Reduced]
New Status: Cold RespectPossible Future Path: Friendly Rivalry or Collapse
After the Game – A Ping
Alex's phone buzzed.
Text from Wayne Rooney:
"Keep it up. You'll hear from the senior squad soon."
His hands trembled slightly.
[System Alert: "Senior Team Trial Incoming"]
Timeframe: 1–2 weeksObjective: Continue High PerformanceBonus Quest: Assist in Next Match
He lay on his bed that night staring at the ceiling again — just like after Derby. But this time, his heart wasn't burning.
It was rising.