Rebuilding the Theatre

The skies over Manchester were as gray as ever, casting a somber hue over the city. Yet, within the walls of the Carrington Training Base, the atmosphere was anything but gloomy. The facility buzzed with energy, a hive of activity as players, coaches, and staff prepared for another day of training. With just over 30 days left before Sir Alex Ferguson's retirement, the air was thick with a mix of anticipation and nostalgia.

Carrington, nestled six miles from Old Trafford, was a world unto itself. Surrounded by lush greenery, the training base was a sanctuary for Manchester United's players, from the youngest academy prospects to the seasoned first-team stars. Fourteen meticulously maintained pitches, state-of-the-art indoor facilities, swimming pools, gyms, and physiotherapy centers made it a footballing paradise. It was here that the future of Manchester United was forged, one training session at a time.

Early in the morning, Carrington's longtime administrator, Connie, exchanged pleasantries with Thor, the security guard. Their conversation was as routine as the sunrise.

"Good morning, Thor. How's everything today?" Connie asked, her voice warm and familiar.

"Good morning, Connie. All's well," Thor replied with a nod. "Just another day in paradise."

The two chuckled, their camaraderie a testament to years of shared service to the club. Their conversation soon turned to football.

"Can you believe it? We're just a few games away from clinching the league title," Connie said, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

"It's thrilling," Thor agreed. "But it's a shame we got knocked out of the Champions League so early. That one stings."

As they chatted, a voice interrupted them. "Good morning, Connie, Thor. It's always a pleasure to see you."

They turned to see Jin Taige—or rather, Tiger King—approaching with a smile. His presence was a familiar one at Carrington, but something about him seemed different lately.

"Mr. Tiger, you're here early again," Connie remarked.

"Of course," Tiger replied with a grin. "If I show up later than the youth team lads, how can I expect them to take me seriously?"

As Tiger walked away, Thor turned to Connie. "Have you noticed something different about him lately? He seems… lighter, somehow."

Connie nodded thoughtfully. "Yes, I've seen it too. He's always been easygoing, but there was always a shadow over him. Now, he seems… brighter."

Thor sighed. "Given everything he's been through, it's a miracle he's as cheerful as he is. Most people would've been broken by now."

Connie's mind drifted back to the past, to a time when Tiger King was not just a coach but a rising star. The world knew about Manchester United's legendary Class of '92—David Beckham, Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes, the Neville brothers, and Nicky Butt. But few remembered Tiger King, the captain of that golden generation.

In his youth, Tiger had been a prodigy, his talent eclipsing even that of Beckham and Giggs. But fate had other plans. During a routine training session, Tiger suffered a devastating ankle injury—a torn ligament that ended his playing career before it had truly begun. The news sent shockwaves through Manchester United. Ferguson, who had seen Tiger as a future cornerstone of the team, was heartbroken. So were his teammates.

The injury was only the beginning of Tiger's hardships. That same year, he lost both his parents, leaving him alone in the world. It was Ferguson who stepped in, offering him a lifeline. He arranged for Tiger to become a teaching assistant in the youth team, guiding him toward earning his coaching badges. By the age of 22, Tiger had become the youngest person in England to earn a FIFA A-Class coaching license. Ferguson's faith in him never wavered, and Tiger eventually became an assistant coach for the youth team, working under Paul McGuinness.

Now, at 38, Tiger had spent 16 years as a coach. He lived comfortably in a three-bedroom apartment near Carrington, his life stable but tinged with regret. Every time he watched Beckham or Giggs on the pitch, a part of him wondered what might have been.

On the training ground, Tiger stood silently, lost in thought. McGuinness, the youth team coach, noticed his distant expression and approached him.

"Tiger, is something on your mind?" McGuinness asked, his voice gentle.

Tiger snapped out of his reverie. "It's nothing. Just thinking about the past."

McGuinness placed a hand on his shoulder. "The past is behind you, Tiger. You've built a good life here. Who knows? Maybe one day you'll be the one leading the first team." He gestured toward the east, where Old Trafford stood.

Tiger smiled faintly. "Six miles away. Feels like a world apart."

"Keep smiling," McGuinness said encouragingly. "You've got a lot to offer."

As McGuinness returned to overseeing the training session, Tiger reflected on his journey. He had come to terms with his past, but the arrival of Jin Taige's consciousness had given him a new perspective. He was no longer just Tiger King, the injured prodigy turned coach. He was a man with a second chance, a man who could shape the future of Manchester United.

Later, as Tiger and McGuinness discussed the first team's recent performances, their conversation took a serious turn.

"Four games left, seven points ahead of City," McGuinness said, his tone optimistic. "The title's as good as ours. It's always sweet to finish above them."

"Yes, as long as nothing goes wrong, the title is ours," Tiger agreed. But his expression was troubled.

McGuinness noticed. "What's on your mind?"

"The Jazz is retiring," Tiger said quietly. "And Scholes too. It's the end of an era."

McGuinness sighed. "It's sad, but the team's in good shape. Whoever takes over next season will have a strong squad to work with."

Tiger shook his head. "I'm not so sure. I think the team is in a precarious position. The squad is aging, and there are gaps that need to be filled. If we're not careful, we could be in trouble."

McGuinness was taken aback. Before he could respond, a voice interrupted them.

"Precarious, you say? Tiger, what makes you think that?"

They turned to see Sir Alex Ferguson standing behind them, his piercing gaze fixed on Tiger.

"Mr. Ferguson," McGuinness stammered. "We didn't see you there."

Ferguson waved a hand dismissively. "I was just passing by. But I'm curious, Tiger. What do you see that I don't?"