The Football Legends System

Chapter 142: Making the difficult look simple, consistently



The roar of Old Trafford, a familiar embrace, felt even more profound now. Nathan, an Overall Rating: S+ player, carried the mantle of "Era-Defining Icon" with a quiet intensity. The Champions League record—goals or assists in every group stage match—was a glittering testament to his unwavering influence. But the true challenge, as illuminated by the Legacy Archive, was to consistently define this era, to set new standards, and to continually shape the game's narrative. He spent hours dissecting matches, analyzing how the greatest players maintained their peak performance year after year, turning brilliance into an everyday occurrence.

His Perfected Dribbling (from Glide of Messi (100%) mastery) felt like an effortless extension of his thoughts, allowing him to navigate the tightest spaces with breathtaking fluidity. He practiced relentlessly, not just for individual moments, but for the sustained pressure, the relentless waves of attack that wore down even the most stubborn defenses.

One crisp morning at Carrington, during a complex attacking drill, Nathan received the ball deep, then, with a subtle glance, released a perfectly weighted pass to Antony on the wing. Antony, surprised by the precision, quickly delivered a cross that Harry Kane headed home. Erik ten Hag watched, a thoughtful expression on his face.

"That's the sort of vision we need, Nathan," the manager said. "Making the difficult look simple, consistently."

Nathan grinned. "Just trying to keep the goals flowing, boss."

He observed his teammates, knowing that their collective drive and relentless effort were vital for cementing their place as an era-defining team.

Harry Kane – Ability: S | Potential: B+ | Overall Rating: S

His unerring ability to find the back of the net makes him the perfect partner for Nathan's creative output. A true goal-scoring machine.

Mason Mount – Ability: A | Potential: A+ | Overall Rating: A-

His energy, intelligent runs, and improved final pass are adding a new dynamic to the midfield.

The next challenge: a home Premier League fixture against Everton. Their previous two encounters this season – a tough 2-1 away win at Goodison Park and another 2-1 home win – showed they were a resilient side. Nathan knew Everton would be desperate for revenge, especially at Old Trafford, seeking to spoil United's dominant run. They were known for their disciplined defense, physicality, and a willingness to hit on the counter.

Nathan used his "Talent Scout" on Everton's familiar faces, refreshing his memory.

Jordan Pickford – Ability: A | Potential: A | Overall Rating: A-

Their vocal leader in goal. His athleticism and command of his box are impressive.

Amadou Onana – Ability: A | Potential: A+ | Overall Rating: A-

A powerful, relentless midfielder. He will try to disrupt United's rhythm in the middle of the park.

James Tarkowski – Ability: A- | Potential: B+ | Overall Rating: B+

Experienced, no-nonsense center-back. Will be a physical battle for United's attackers.

"They will be even more motivated this time," Erik ten Hag warned in the pre-match briefing. "They know our style. They'll sit deep, be compact, and try to frustrate us. We need to find consistent ways to create chances, to apply relentless pressure that they cannot withstand over ninety minutes."

Nathan nodded. Relentless pressure. That was the essence of an Era-Defining Icon.

The atmosphere at Old Trafford was vibrant, a packed house eager for another Premier League victory. The roar as the teams walked out was deafening, a sea of red anticipating a dominant performance from their champions.

Pheeeeeep! The whistle blew, and the Premier League clash was underway.

Everton started with their characteristic defensive solidity, forming a tight, low block. They defended deep, with their midfielders diligently tracking back, denying United any central space. Amadou Onana and Abdoulaye Doucouré were tireless, snapping into tackles, frustrating United's attempts to build play. Nathan tried to use his Perfected Dribbling to weave through, but Everton's defense was disciplined, quickly shifting to cover. Clear-cut chances were hard to come by.

United dominated possession, but it was slow, probing football. Everton's defense seemed impenetrable, frustrating every attempt to create clear-cut chances.

Minute 25. Still 0-0. Old Trafford started to stir, a low hum of impatience. Nathan felt the frustration. Everton were simply too organized. They needed a way to break through, not with finesse, but with sheer, overwhelming attacking force, a relentless drive that would simply smash through their defensive wall.

Just then, the familiar System chime cut through the air, sharp and clear.

Ding!

[System Notification]

[Your team is facing a deep, physically imposing defense, requiring a surge of overwhelming offensive force and an unyielding drive to break through their lines and create decisive scoring opportunities.]

[You may request one random legendary unstoppable offensive force/direct attacking skill in the style of a football icon to command the final third through sheer power, consistently break defensive lines, and launch unstoppable, aggressive attacks.]

[Do you wish to activate it?]

Nathan's eyes narrowed. Unstoppable offensive force? Smash through defenses? This was it. This was about turning the game into a relentless offensive onslaught, a brutal exhibition of attacking might that would simply crush the opposition.

Yes! Activate!

Ding!

[Random Skill Activated: The Bull-Dozer Drive of Rooney]

[Effect: For the next 5 minutes of in-game time, your raw attacking power, ability to drive through multiple defenders with sheer force and determination, and the ferocity of your shots and final passes are significantly enhanced. You will become an unstoppable force in the final third, breaking lines and creating chaos with relentless aggression.]

A surge of raw, primal attacking power coursed through Nathan. He felt an insatiable desire to charge forward, to barrel through defenders, to simply dominate the final third with sheer force. He saw gaps not for weaving, but for blasting through. He became a human tank, ready to leave a trail of destruction in his wake.

He immediately charged forward, demanding the ball from Mason Mount. Everton's midfielders, Amadou Onana and Idrissa Gana Gueye, converged, trying to block him. Nathan received the ball, took one powerful touch, then, with The Bull-Dozer Drive of Rooney active, he simply powered through Onana's tackle, shrugging him off like he was a rag doll. Gueye lunged, but Nathan, with a burst of sheer brute force, drove past him, maintaining possession and momentum.

The crowd gasped, then erupted! He had just bulldozed through two midfielders with raw power. He was now bearing down on Everton's defense. James Tarkowski stepped up, trying to block him. Nathan unleashed a thunderous shot from just outside the box. It was a pure rocket, struck with unbelievable power, leaving Tarkowski barely a blur in its wake.

Jordan Pickford threw himself across, a desperate blur of green, but the shot was too powerful, too fierce.

BOOM!

The ball slammed into the back of the net, hitting the underside of the crossbar and ricocheting in!

GOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAL!!!!

The net bulged! Manchester United 1 - Everton 0! Old Trafford erupted in a thunderous roar, a mixture of pure exhilaration and disbelief. Nathan screamed, pumping his fists, his teammates swarming him. The Bull-Dozer Drive of Rooney had smashed through Everton's stubborn defense with raw, unstoppable might.

For the next five minutes, Nathan was a force of nature. He kept driving into the final third, forcing defenders backward, creating chaos with his aggressive runs. He unleashed another powerful shot that forced a spectacular diving save from Pickford. He then played a rapid, aggressive one-two with Harry Kane that almost led to another goal, but Everton's defense, though rattled, held firm.

The The Bull-Dozer Drive of Rooney faded, but it had done its job. United had asserted complete offensive dominance through sheer force.

Just before halftime, United doubled their lead. A brilliant cross from Luke Shaw found Harry Kane, who powered a header into the net, making it 2-0.

The second half was a testament to United's control. Everton pushed for an equalizer, but United's sustained pressure and tactical discipline, influenced by Nathan's earlier orchestration, made it difficult for them. David de Gea was rarely tested.

Nathan continued to influence the game, with his Perfected Dribbling allowing him to constantly create space and dictate play.

The final minutes of the match were comfortable for United. Everton, disheartened, couldn't find a way back into the game.

The final whistle blew.

MANCHESTER UNITED 2 - EVERTON 0!

Old Trafford cheered, celebrating a dominant home win that kept their Premier League title challenge strong.

In the jubilant changing room, Erik ten Hag was beaming. "Another clean sheet, lads, another three points! Nathan, that first goal was pure power! You just ran right through them! Brilliant!"

Nathan, breathless but beaming, just grinned. "Just trying to make a statement, boss."

He checked his system.

[Overall Rating: S+]

Still S+. He had demonstrated the unwavering brilliance of an undisputed legend, adding a new dimension of raw offensive power to his game.

Ding!

[Legacy Archive Update: Challenge Progress for "The Era-Defining Icon"]

[Description: Your consistent, high-level performance across all facets of the game, including adding new dimensions of raw power to your attack, is profoundly cementing your status as the defining figure of the current footballing era. Your influence on the narrative of the sport is undeniable.]

Nathan's eyes widened. "Profoundly cementing your status." The narrative was being shaped. He was truly becoming the symbol of this era.

Ding!

[New Record Alert!]

[You have now reached 20 Premier League Goals + Assists in the current season, becoming the fastest player in Premier League history to reach this milestone, surpassing Cristiano Ronaldo's previous record.]

Nathan's jaw dropped. Fastest to 20 Premier League goals + assists!


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