The Football Legends System

The victory at St. James' Park had been a proper battle, a testament to United's grit. Nathan's Overall Rating: S+ felt like a constant hum in his veins, a reminder of the summit he'd reached. But the Premier League was a marathon, not a sprint, and every win felt like just another step. His Glide of Messi (53%) mastery was smoother than ever, his movements with the ball a blur of effortless control.

He spent hours in the Legacy Archive, especially the new "Art of On-Pitch Leadership" section. It wasn't about scoring goals or making tackles; it was about the intangible things. How legendary captains commanded space with a glance, how they lifted teammates with a word, how their presence alone changed the flow of a game. He watched clips of Franz Beckenbauer orchestrating from defense, or Steven Gerrard driving his team forward with sheer will. It was like learning a whole new language of football, a language spoken not just with feet, but with presence.

During a tactical drill, Nathan found himself automatically adjusting his position, not just to receive a pass, but to open up a lane for Bruno Fernandes, or to pull a defender away from Marcus Rashford. He didn't even consciously think about it; it was just... there.

Later, after the session, Luke Shaw clapped him on the back. "You're seeing the game in slow motion, aren't you? Some of the passes you're trying in training... insane. You're making everyone else look good."

Nathan grinned. "Just trying to simplify things, mate."

He watched some of his teammates, appreciating their qualities.

Diogo Dalot – Ability: A | Potential: A | Overall Rating: A-

Always improving, solid defensively, great going forward. A modern full-back.

Antony – Ability: A | Potential: A | Overall Rating: A-

Tricky, loves to cut inside. His left foot is pure magic when it works.

The next challenge: Everton at Old Trafford. The "Toffees" were always a tough nut to crack, known for their defensive solidity and physical approach. They wouldn't roll over, especially not against the reigning champions.

The atmosphere at Old Trafford was vibrant, a sea of red anticipating another home win. But there was also a quiet hum of respect for Everton's tenacity.

Pheeeeeep! The whistle blew, and the match kicked off.

Everton started with a low block, packing their defense and midfield, making it incredibly difficult for United to play their expansive football. Their central midfielders, like Abdoulaye Doucouré and Amadou Onana, were physical, winning aerial duels and disrupting United's passing lanes. Up front, Dominic Calvert-Lewin was a constant threat on the counter-attack, holding the ball up well.

United dominated possession, but it was slow, probing football. Nathan tried to weave his way through the congested midfield with his Masterful Dribbling, but Everton's defenders, like James Tarkowski and Conor Coady, were disciplined, closing him down quickly.

Minute 20. Everton, against the run of play, scored. A long ball over the top caught United's defense flat. Dwight McNeil, with a burst of pace, got onto the end of it, raced into the box, and finished coolly past David de Gea.

Manchester United 0 - Everton 1.

Old Trafford gasped, then a collective groan spread through the stands. It was a classic smash-and-grab. Nathan felt the frustration. They were dominating, but Everton had punished their one mistake. They needed to find a way to break through this defensive wall, to create intricate passing moves that Everton couldn't track.

Just then, the familiar System chime resonated in his mind, sharp and clear.

Ding!

[System Notification]

[Your team is facing a deep, compact defensive block, requiring intricate passing and seamless link-up play to dissect their structure.]

[You may request one random legendary intricate passing/link-up skill in the style of a football icon to orchestrate complex attacks and elevate the collective understanding of your teammates.]

[Do you wish to activate it?]

Nathan's eyes lit up. Intricate passing? Seamless link-up? This was exactly what the "Art of On-Pitch Leadership" had hinted at – not just individual brilliance, but making the team shine through his play.

Yes! Activate!

Ding!

[Random Skill Activated: Web of Iniesta]

[Effect: For the next 5 minutes of in-game time, your ability to execute quick, incisive one-twos, perfectly weighted short passes, and to orchestrate intricate passing triangles is significantly enhanced. Your teammates will instinctively anticipate your movements and passes, creating a collective flow.]

A new kind of clarity settled over Nathan. It wasn't about seeing lines or individual runs, but about seeing patterns. He saw how three players could create a triangle, how a quick exchange could pull a defender out of position, opening up a new space. He felt a profound connection to his teammates, as if their thoughts were aligning with his own. He knew what they would do, and they would know what he would do.

He immediately called for the ball, dropping slightly deeper. Bruno Fernandes, seeing the look in Nathan's eyes, played a quick pass to him. Nathan took one touch, then instantly played a sharp one-two with Marcus Rashford, the ball zipping back and forth with incredible speed. Doucouré and Onana were left flat-footed, unable to keep up with the quick exchanges.

He then played a quick, no-look pass to Harry Kane, who had dropped deep. Kane, with a quick backheel, returned it to Nathan who had continued his run. It was a blur of red jerseys, a symphony of short, incisive passes, leaving Everton's disciplined defense chasing shadows.

Nathan was in the box, surrounded by four Everton defenders. He saw Diogo Dalot making an overlapping run. With a quick touch, he slid the ball to Dalot, who whipped in a low cross. The ball found Marcus Rashford, who had made a brilliant run, and Rashford tapped it into the empty net!

GOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAL!!!!

The net bulged! Manchester United 1 - Everton 1! Old Trafford erupted in a thunderous roar! Nathan screamed in pure joy, rushing to embrace Rashford and Dalot. The Web of Iniesta had woven a magical equalizer, showing the power of collective, fluid football.

The goal completely shifted the momentum. Everton, typically so organized, looked disoriented by the intricate passing. United, buoyed by the equalizer, pressed harder, their passes sharper, their movements more fluid. Nathan felt the Web of Iniesta fade after five minutes, but the understanding of how to orchestrate those quick, deceptive passing patterns was ingrained.

Just before halftime, United took the lead. A brilliant run and cross from Alejandro Garnacho was finished by Bruno Fernandes, making it 2-1.

The second half was a test of United's resolve. Everton pushed hard for an equalizer, bringing on new attacking players. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was a constant threat in the box, and Dwight McNeil's crosses were dangerous.

Nathan continued to be a driving force, his Masterful Dribbling and Unparalleled Agility from his Glide of Messi (53%) mastery allowing him to retain possession under pressure and launch counter-attacks. He had several high-pressure dribbling situations.

Ding!

[System Notification]

[Skill Mastery Progress: Glide of Messi (57%)]

[Next Mastery Milestone: 75% (Requires extremely complex and successful solo runs in high-pressure scenarios).]

Good, Nathan thought, even as a pass went astray. Every little bit.

The final minutes of the match were tense. Everton threw everything forward. David de Gea made a couple of crucial saves, and Lisandro Martinez cleared a header off the line in the 89th minute.

Then, in the 92nd minute, United sealed it. A quick counter-attack saw Nathan pick up the ball deep in his own half. With Everton pushing high, he saw acres of space. He embarked on a blistering solo run, leaving three Everton players in his wake with a series of quick feints and bursts of speed, his Masterful Dribbling and Unparalleled Agility on full display. He reached the edge of the box, then unselfishly laid it off to the unmarked Harry Kane, who had sprinted alongside him. Kane coolly slotted it past Jordan Pickford.

GOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAL!!!!

Manchester United 3 - Everton 1!

The net bulged, sealing the victory.

Pheeeeeep! The final whistle blew.

MANCHESTER UNITED 3 - EVERTON 1!

Old Trafford erupted in cheers. A comprehensive victory to continue their strong start to the Premier League season.

In the jubilant changing room, Erik ten Hag was all smiles. "That's how we play! That's Manchester United! The passing for the first goal, Nathan, unbelievable! And that solo run for the third... pure magic!"

Nathan, breathless but beaming, just grinned. "Team effort, boss. Everyone played their part."

He checked his system.

[Overall Rating: S+]

Still S+. He knew maintaining it was about consistent high-level performance. The Glide of Messi mastery was pushing towards its next milestone at 57%. And the Web of Iniesta had shown him the true power of intricate, collective play.

As he walked out of Old Trafford, the cheers of the fans feeling like a warm embrace, a new thought solidified in his mind, influenced by the Legacy Archive and the match he'd just played. He was the GOAT, capable of individual brilliance and leading his team. But there was another level of mastery, one that truly defined the all-time greats: the ability to change the game itself, not just a single play.

Ding!

[Legacy Archive Update: New Category Unlocked - "The Innovators and Game Changers"]

[Description: Explore the rare talents who didn't just excel within the game, but fundamentally altered how it was played, inventing new roles, formations, or styles that left a lasting impact on football history.]