Rebuilding the Theatre

The morning sun streamed through the windows of David Gill's office at Carrington, casting a warm glow over the room. Jin Taige sat across from the Manchester United CEO, his expression calm but determined. He had come with a specific request, one that he hoped would strengthen his coaching staff and, in turn, the team.

"You want to make Paul Scholes the second assistant coach?" Gill asked, his eyebrows raised in surprise. He hadn't expected Jin Taige to bring this up so soon after taking over as manager.

Jin Taige nodded. "Paul has already expressed interest in joining the coaching staff. I believe he'd be a perfect fit. His experience, his understanding of the club—it's invaluable."

Gill leaned back in his chair, considering the proposal. "You're the manager, so it's ultimately your call. If you think he's the right man for the job, then I'll support it."

Jin Taige smiled, relieved. "Thank you, David. I appreciate your trust."

The conversation soon turned to the team's lineup. Jin Taige didn't mince words. "On paper, the squad looks strong, but there are underlying issues. We're aging in key positions, and some players are reaching their limits. If we don't address these problems soon, we'll struggle to compete at the highest level."

Gill frowned, clearly taken aback by Jin Taige's blunt assessment. "You're talking about the Premier League champions, the team Sir Alex left behind. Surely it's not as dire as you make it out to be?"

Jin Taige leaned forward, his tone earnest. "Last season, we were knocked out in the Champions League semifinals. That's a clear indication that we're not yet world-class. If we want to dominate both domestically and in Europe, we need to rebuild. We need younger, hungrier players who can carry the team forward."

Gill studied Jin Taige for a moment, then nodded slowly. "You've got a point. But rebuilding a squad of this magnitude isn't easy. It requires time, patience, and, most importantly, money."

Jin Taige knew this was coming. "How much can the club provide for transfers this summer?"

Gill held up five fingers. "Fifty million euros. That's the budget."

Jin Taige's heart sank. While fifty million euros was a significant sum, it was far from enough to address the team's needs. "David, with all due respect, fifty million won't go very far. We need a backup goalkeeper, at least two center-backs, full-back cover, a defensive midfielder, and a pacey forward. That's just the bare minimum."

Gill sighed, stirring sugar into his coffee. "I understand your concerns, but the club's financial situation isn't as robust as it used to be. The Glazers are cautious about spending, especially with a new, unproven manager at the helm."

Jin Taige's jaw tightened. He knew what Gill was implying—the Glazers didn't fully trust him yet. "So, this is a test?"

"In a way, yes," Gill admitted. "If you can deliver results this season, the board will be more willing to invest next summer. But for now, fifty million is all we can offer."

Jin Taige took a deep breath, forcing himself to stay calm. "Fine. Fifty million will have to do. But I need to act quickly. The transfer window is already open, and if we delay, our targets will be snapped up by other clubs."

Gill nodded. "Understood. Bring me your list of targets tomorrow morning, and we'll get to work."

As Jin Taige left Gill's office, his mind was already racing. He had a clear vision of the players he wanted to bring in, but securing them with a limited budget would be a challenge. He knew he had to move fast.

Back in his own office, Jin Taige pulled out a notebook and began jotting down names. He needed a backup goalkeeper—someone reliable but affordable. Two young, promising center-backs to eventually replace Ferdinand and Vidic. A versatile full-back who could cover both flanks. A tough, no-nonsense defensive midfielder to anchor the midfield. And a pacey forward to add a new dimension to the attack.

As he worked, Jin Taige couldn't help but feel the weight of expectations. The minimum goals set in his contract—a top-four finish in the Premier League and reaching the Champions League round of 16—loomed large in his mind. Falling short wasn't an option.

While Jin Taige was busy planning his moves, other Premier League clubs were already making waves in the transfer market.

At Chelsea, Roman Abramovich was making his ambitions clear. "José, since I've brought you back, money is no object. Whoever you want, we'll get them."

Mourinho, ever the strategist, replied, "The squad is already strong, but we need reinforcements in a few key areas. I'll make it work."

Meanwhile, at Manchester City, new manager Manuel Pellegrini was handed a war chest. "Here's a hundred million to start with," the board told him. "If you need more, just ask. Our goal is the Premier League title and the Champions League. Money is no issue."

Pellegrini smiled confidently. "I understand. We'll deliver."

As Jin Taige finalized his list of targets, he felt a surge of determination. The road ahead would be tough, but he was ready. He had the support of his coaching staff, the backing of the fans, and a clear vision for the future.

"We'll make it work," he muttered to himself, closing his notebook. "No matter what it takes."

XXXXXX

As Jin Taige left David Gill's office, his mind was already racing. He needed to act quickly. The summer transfer window was open, and every passing day meant his targets could be snapped up by rival clubs. He walked briskly through the corridors of Carrington, his thoughts consumed by the task at hand.

*Who can I bring in this summer?* he wondered. *Who are the future stars, the hidden gems, that I can sign now before their prices skyrocket?*

Jin Taige's unique advantage was his knowledge of the future. In his previous life, he had followed football closely, and he knew which young players would go on to become world-class talents. Messi, Ronaldo, and Neymar were already out of reach, but there were others—players who were still under the radar, waiting to be discovered.

By the time he reached his office, Jin Taige had a rough idea of the players he wanted to target. He spent the rest of the afternoon refining his list, cross-referencing it with scouting reports and financial constraints. It was a meticulous process, but one he knew was crucial to the team's future.

When Jin Taige finally returned home that evening, he was greeted by the sound of laughter. His wife, Winna, was playing with their two children, Joa and Eliza, in the living room. The moment he stepped through the door, the kids rushed toward him.

"Daddy!" they shouted in unison, their faces lit up with joy.

Jin Taige scooped Joa into one arm and Eliza into the other, spinning them around as they giggled uncontrollably. Winna watched from the couch, a soft smile on her face.

"How was your day?" she asked as Jin Taige set the kids down.

"Busy," he admitted, kissing her on the cheek. "But seeing you all makes it worth it."

The family spent the evening together, sharing stories and enjoying a home-cooked meal. Joa proudly recounted how his classmates had reacted to the news of his father's new role. "They all want your autograph, Dad!" he exclaimed.

Jin Taige laughed. "Tell them I'll sign as many as they want."

But Joa's expression turned serious. "My friend Tom said Manchester United is hard to manage. He thinks you'll get sacked soon."

Winna frowned, but Jin Taige simply smiled. "Tell Tom that his dad's team, Liverpool, will finish below us next season. And we'll beat them twice—home and away."

Joa's eyes widened with excitement. "You're the best, Dad!"

After putting the kids to bed, Jin Taige and Winna retreated to their room. She could see the exhaustion on his face. "You've been working so hard lately," she said softly. "Are you okay?"

Jin Taige nodded, though his weariness was evident. "It's a lot of pressure, but I'll manage. I just need to get through this transfer window."

Winna leaned her head on his shoulder. "You've changed, you know. You're more confident, more… bold. I like it."

Jin Taige smiled, kissing her forehead. "People change. I think it's for the better."

They talked for a while longer before Winna drifted off to sleep. Jin Taige, however, stayed up late into the night, finalizing his transfer list. He knew the next day would be crucial.

The following morning, Jin Taige arrived at Carrington with his list in hand. He knocked on David Gill's office door and was surprised to find Ed Woodward, the club's commercial director, sitting inside.

"Mr. Manager," Woodward said, standing to shake Jin Taige's hand. "I didn't expect to see you here today."

Jin Taige returned the handshake, his expression calm. "Hello, Ed. I didn't realize you'd be joining us."

Gill gestured for Jin Taige to sit. "I informed Malcolm about our discussion yesterday. He was intrigued, so he sent Ed to join us. Let's hear what you've got."

Jin Taige handed copies of his transfer list to both men. "The reason I'm pushing so hard is that we need to act fast. These players are young, talented, and still affordable. If we wait too long, they'll be out of our reach."

Woodward scanned the list, his eyebrows rising with each name. "Mr. Manager, are these… *unknown* players? I've never heard of most of them."

Jin Taige nodded. "They're young talents with immense potential. Signing them now would be a long-term investment in the club's future."

Gill studied the list, his expression unreadable. After a long silence, he finally spoke. "This is… ambitious. But are you sure these players are worth the investment?"

"Absolutely," Jin Taige replied without hesitation. "I've done my research. These players have the talent to become world-class. And more importantly, they fit the style of play I want to implement."

Woodward leaned back in his chair, a skeptical look on his face. "Fifteen unknown players? This is a huge gamble."

"It's not a gamble," Jin Taige said firmly. "It's a calculated risk. And if we don't act now, we'll regret it later."