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***

Compared to the summer transfer market, winter transfer market deals are made at significantly higher fees.

However, there are times when you have to splurge to strengthen the squad.

Realizing that the stamina of the starting defenders was depleting faster than last season, Alex Ferguson set out to sign a defender during the winter transfer market.

Manchester United’s top target is Celtic’s Virgil van Dijk.

Since facing him in the Champions League, United scouts have been closely monitoring van Dijk’s games, concluding he is a player the team needs.

After receiving the scout team’s opinions, Alex Ferguson made an official offer to Celtic, and van Dijk’s transfer was smoothly progressing.

[United joins the race for van Dijk with Manchester City and Liverpool.]

However, upon hearing that United was acquiring van Dijk, Premier League teams, including Liverpool and those unable to stand seeing United thrive, entered the race to sign him.

Seeing that further delays could lead to more hefty expenditures, Alex Ferguson showcased his decisive nature by offering a hefty transfer fee to Celtic, swiftly tipping the balance in favor of United.

[United offers 30 million euros (about 4.13 billion won) for van Dijk.]

└ What the hell, he hasn’t shown anything in the big leagues yet, and you’re offering 30 million euros??

└ Looks like United has a lot of money.

└ If this transfer flops, it’ll be embarrassing, right?

└ Isn’t Son Jinho’s failure the biggest blow?

└ Don’t touch my brother, you bastard.

└ Seriously, no matter how much I hate United, let’s not touch my brother.

[Virgil van Dijk completes personal agreement with Manchester United. “Ferguson’s contact turned my decision around.”]

And van Dijk, seeing Ferguson actively working to bring him in and United’s aging defense, viewed the transfer positively.

[Chelsea signs Mohamed Salah for 15 million pounds.]

[Mohamed Salah, “It’s an honor to wear Chelsea’s jersey…”]

On the other hand, having received offers from both United and Chelsea at the same time, Mohamed Salah seemed to think there was no place for him at United and headed to Chelsea instead.

Since United needed a defensive signing more urgently, they couldn’t focus on Salah’s acquisition, which was pushed down the list.

As United’s attention was fixated on van Dijk, Chelsea later succeeded in acquiring the player now known as King Pharaoh, Mohamed Salah.

However, Salah’s transfer didn’t only bring positive effects.

His signing sparked irritation in Kevin De Bruyne, who was already dissatisfied with his playing time.

Hearing the news of Salah’s transfer, Kevin De Bruyne requested a meeting with Mourinho and headed to the manager’s office.

“2 goals, 3 assists, 12 recoveries.”

As Kevin entered the manager’s office, Mourinho flipped through some papers before speaking in a cold tone.

“…?”

While Kevin stared in shock, Mourinho continued with a critiquing gaze.

“During the same period, Willian and Oscar recorded 8 goals and 12 assists.”

Blushing, Kevin De Bruyne retorted towards Mourinho.

“Just give me the same opportunities as them. Then I will prove it.”

“Kevin, don’t you think the order is reversed? It’s not about asking for chances to prove yourself, you need to prove yourself in training to earn those chances.”

Listening to Kevin’s rebuttal, Mourinho kept unleashing sharp words.

“Don’t come whining to the manager, instead work harder in training to take their spots!”

Just like with Özil, this was Mourinho’s way of provoking Kevin De Bruyne to grow into a better player.

However, what Mourinho didn’t anticipate was that unlike Özil, who had secured his place in the club, Kevin had not found his footing yet, and rather than endure, he decided to prove himself outside the club.

As soon as the meeting with Mourinho concluded, Kevin De Bruyne promptly requested a transfer from the club.

Mourinho, caught off guard by Kevin’s unexpected response, tried to hold him back, but Kevin had already made up his mind.

[Chelsea’s young prospect Kevin De Bruyne requests a transfer from the club.]

Eventually, Mourinho and Chelsea decided to let Kevin De Bruyne go.

[Dortmund proposes 26 million euros to Chelsea.]

Upon hearing that Kevin De Bruyne was available on the market, Dortmund was the first to hurry over.

After the 12/13 season concluded, they needed a replacement to fill the gap I left for Manchester United.

They expressed interest in Kevin De Bruyne, who had shown remarkable performance at SV Werder Bremen at the time.

Kevin De Bruyne, on the other hand, found Dortmund’s offer, a team that had won the Champions League, attractive, and personal agreement had been reached.

But just one step away from signing the contract, Mourinho opposed the transfer, and upon his promise of giving Kevin a chance, he returned to Chelsea.

But Mourinho’s promise turned out to be unkept, allowing Dortmund another opportunity to sign Kevin De Bruyne.

With Son Jinho’s transfer funds easing the club’s finances, Dortmund began to actively court De Bruyne now more than ever.

***

[Manchester City shows interest in signing Kevin De Bruyne. Offers Chelsea 33 million pounds.]

[Son Jinho recommends Dortmund transfer to Kevin De Bruyne.]

[Mourinho opposes Kevin De Bruyne’s transfer to Manchester City. “We are a team competing for league titles; I have no intention of strengthening our rivals….”]

[Hoping for a move to Germany rather than England, will Kevin De Bruyne transfer to Dortmund?]

[United offers Nicolas Otamendi 21 million euros.]

[United invites Tottenham Hotspur to Old Trafford.]

***

The first half concluded, and with no break, the second half kicked off.

I had heard the notorious term “Boxing Day,” but experiencing it in person was a whole different beast.

I was coming to the realization that it’s no wonder that coaches claim Boxing Day eats up league competitiveness.

Even I, once known as the steel king of the Bundesliga, was now on the brink of exhaustion.

“… This is why we struggle in the Champions League or Europa.”

An unintended chuckle escaped my lips.

Arsenal’s unbeaten title suddenly felt impressive.

Though they had been mocked for drawing many games, that itself was no easy feat.

Ever since the Premier League’s inception, aside from Arsenal, has there been no unbeaten champion? Boxing Day might play a significant role in that.

“I need an international match break!!”

As I stared at the ceiling and shouted, suddenly—

“Cut! Cut!”

“Son Jinho! Go get Haeun!”

Startled by Gyeouri’s words, I began to chase after Haeun, who, with the onset of the new year, started crawling all over the house as if to prove who she belonged to.

“Fafa! Kyaaarrr─”

Haeun beamed as she reached for my face, while Gyeouri approached, panting heavily.

“Phew… Haeun’s stamina is insane.”

Those pitiful excuses from Han Gyeouri, who was overwhelmed by an eight-month-old baby.

***

Even while the winter transfer market was underway, the matches continued.

On January 2, 2014, a home game against Tottenham Hotspur.

As soon as the winter transfer window opened, Manchester United swiftly organized a press conference for van Dijk at Old Trafford.

Dressed in a suit, van Dijk received a standing ovation from the crowd while holding up his new jersey.

Since there hadn’t been enough time to see how he would link up with the existing players, van Dijk was set to watch this match from the stands.

He would likely make his debut in the Premier League’s 21st round game against Swansea.

“Jinho.”

“Van Dijk?”

“Um… I’d prefer you to call me Virgil. I don’t like being referred to by my last name.”

“Got it. Virgil. What’s up?”

“I just wanted to say hi. I’m a fan.”

Anyway, I exchanged a few casual words with Virgil just before he headed to the stands.

“It’s time to enter!”

As the staff announced it was time to enter the field, our chat came to an end.

“See you later.”

“Yeah. Good luck out there.”

Virgil made his way to the stands, and I entered the field.

And shortly after, with the referee’s whistle, the Premier League 20th round match between Tottenham and Manchester United began.

***

[Manchester United thrashes Tottenham Hotspur 6 to 3 at home.]

└ Wow, that match had firepower like never before!

└ But the defensive issues still stand;;

└ UnitedDoc: That’s why we signed van Dijk this time.

└ Doc, can we really trust van Dijk?

└ UnitedDoc: I trust him…!! Let’s go for the unbeaten title!!

└ An unbeaten title? LOL I predict we’ll lose to Arsenal in the second half, so good luck!

After the match, Manchester United faced suspicions that they sacrificed the FA Cup for an unbeaten league title, given the prior events.

[Manchester United, controversy over intentional defeat for unbeaten title?]

└ Tsk tsk, is an unbeaten title that important?

└ Honestly, winning the unbeaten title in such an ugly manner feels meaningless.

└ After all, true unbeaten champions are Arsenal^^

Hmm.

Why do I feel the fans of certain clubs through the comments?

[Alex Ferguson furiously responds to a reporter’s question, “If you’re going to spout that nonsense, don’t even ask.”]

└ UnitedDoc: Look at that, Ferguson trying to find every reason to hate United’s unbeaten title, tsk tsk.

Wow. You can already feel it from the nickname here.

***

On January 11, the league’s 21st round against Swansea City took place.

With the starting players on the field, we easily secured a victory against Swansea.

Van Dijk also started, contributing to the win with a stable performance.

Surprisingly, contrary to the thought that he would need time to adapt to the league,

Van Dijk flew on his debut match for Manchester United.

‘Come to think of it, didn’t Celtic’s Neil Lennon say van Dijk was already complete from the start?’

What I thought was merely lip service turned out to be true.

Anyway, amid van Dijk’s stellar performance, Manchester United managed to record a clean sheet for the first time in ages.

[United sacrifices FA Cup for the sake of the unbeaten title.]

And once United thoroughly crushed Swansea, criticisms soared once again.

– Chairman Hwang Geum-soon: Please, don’t take the only unbeaten title in the Premier League…

– Gyeouri: It’s starting to look like Uncle is getting nervous about United taking the unbeaten title, so thumbs down! LOL

– Chairman Hwang Geum-soon: Hey, was that a thumbs down on your uncle just now?

– Gyeouri: ;;;

– Cheolmo: Gyeouri, what’s with that attitude towards your uncle?!

– Cheolmo: Even if he doesn’t seem like an uncle, you need to show some respect!

– Chairman Hwang Geum-soon: … You’re worse.

– Gyeouri: That doesn’t mean I dislike himㅠㅠ

***

[Premier League 21st round) Manchester United defeats Swansea City 2-0.]

[Manchester United races toward the unbeaten title.]

[Virgil van Dijk, outstanding performance in his first start.]

[Virgil van Dijk, “I’m playing alongside the best level of players. It feels like a dream.”]

[When asked by a reporter who he looked forward to playing with the most, Virgil van Dijk answered, “I was most looking forward to playing with Jinho. And having played together, he is even better than I imagined.”]

[Cristiano Ronaldo, “It’s all thanks to me teaching Son Jinho well.”]

[As Ronaldo mocked Jinho in an interview, Jinho replied, “Yeah, you’re absolutely right.”]

[Nodding to Son Jinho’s interview, Ronaldo remarked, “Son Jinho is finally beginning to respect me.”]

[Rio Ferdinand praises Virgil van Dijk. “He is already complete. Calm, composed, strong, and fast. He has everything a defender needs. He just needs a bit of advice.”]

[Only one day until the 2013 Ballon d’Or ceremony!]

└ Kyaaah! Time, please hurry up!!

└ Please let Son Jinho win the Ballon d’Or! Day 365!!!

***

Gyeouri wanted to attend the Ballon d’Or ceremony held in Zurich, but couldn’t go due to Haeun being young.

Well… If luck is on her side, there will be another opportunity next time.

I gently coaxed the pouting Gyeouri, saying we’d go together next time.

Anyway, upon arriving at the venue of the Ballon d’Or ceremony along with Cristiano Ronaldo, a reporter, sensing a scoop, quickly approached us and asked who we thought would win the Ballon d’Or.

“I should be the one to win it.”

“Of course it’s me.”

We answered the reporter’s question with smiles.

— Excluding yourself?

“If that’s the case, then Son Jinho.”

After finishing his answer, Ronaldo gazed at me with hopeful anticipation.

“It’s Messi. A player with no titles doesn’t deserve to win the Ballon d’Or.”

I calmly betrayed his expectations.

Honestly, isn’t it Messi? With higher attacking points and a league title to boot.

The moment my sentence finished, Ronaldo’s fierce glare fell upon me.

I met Ronaldo’s glaring eyes without flinching.

For today, I had prepared a lengthy message reaching 5,700 characters, so I wasn’t scared of Ronaldo.

 

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