Chapter 20- New Responsibilities...

With Bruno gone, the team looked to almost anything to get their hopes and morale up, one of these things was the League Table. Finally, after so much effort and so much perseverance, from fifth place and being looked down upon by our fans, we rose despite the world-stacking obstacles against us. With a bit of luck, Liverpool's injuries, and our constant wins, we have reached the pinnacle of English Football.

1) Manchester Utd: 70

2) Liverpool: 69

3) Newcastle United: 68

4) Manchester City: 66

5) West Ham: 64...

I noticed the dip in performance during training, without Bruno's likable personality and commanding tone, the team found it hard to gel, someone had to step up, and no one seemed to think they could until I did. 

"What the fuck was that pass Alejandro! Casi, why aren't you moving the ball, always passing as soon as you get it? Rasmus, you're never in position! Marcus, dribbling is the entire point of wingers, stop being afraid to go in! Rapha, Tyler- Why aren't you guys pressing?! I'm out here giving my all, but why are you guys being so lackluster? I get it, he's gone, we miss him, we needed him, but how can we move on and lift that trophy if we're not going to try, do you think we're going to win jackshit, while we're playing like that?! Huh?"

I was red with rage and continued on my rant for some time, "Isn't his absence meant to make us stronger, make us realize how capable we are even without him? Why can't anyone step up, for fucks sake people, we're first in the league, we're United, not Luton, so get your heads out of your fucking cracks, and match my determination, am I clear?"

After a few harmonies of yes's, we went back to training and the results were instantaneous, I guess all I had to do was be like Bruno, I made them multiply their normal training by 10 just like I do, and when the manager arrived for the debrief, we lined up and waited for his talk. 

"We know it's hard, and I heard what Adri said, he's right, we need to get our heads back in the game, we cannot afford to mess this up, we cannot let this slip lads!"

The boys all nodded listening to the gaffers' words and some nodded at me for taking the initiative. 

"And it is this strength, that I think earns Adri this promotion, from youngest United vice-captain to youngest United Captain!" 

Everyone cheered and it took me a full ten minutes to get a grip on what was happening, I only stepped up because it was making me angry, to see my team falter without their leader, and I was still marveling over this as Ten Hag slipped the captains armband onto my jersey. Dayum son, I'm going places...

We have a cup match his week, the semi-finals, we've already beaten City in the Quarters, and surprisingly, the lowly Stoke FC from the championship managed to get past the quarters and they were facing Liverpool now, and some part of me wanted them to win, not because of old ties, but so that I can crush them personally in the finals, but we had to get past West Ham first.

We were performing well at training and I felt ready to take on the match... 

It was, of course, an away match, for both teams, my heart felt heavier, as I got on to the bus than last time. I had new responsibilities as the captain, I went up to Ten Hag on the bus and took a seat next to him for once...

"Gaffer, the midfield is not strong enough without Brunes," I whispered so others wouldn't hear.

"Have we not worked out the kinks yet?" 

"Not yet, Gaffer, put me back in my position, as long as I'm there, the midfield will be resolute, Rasmus is good enough on his own as a striker, we'll lose our compact formation, the midfield right now, even in drills, have gaping holes in them, even Luton could exploit those spaces, please Gaffer!"

"Alright, fine, Adri, you inform the team, while I change the official line-up!" 

"Okay, cheers Gaffer!" 

I walked up to the front of the bus and knew I made the right decision, if Eriksen and Casi had been alone in the center, we would have had big problems, but we could now cover more ground and block all spaces that West Ham could use to get the better of us. 

"Alright, lads? We have a slight change, I'm going back to the center, and the reason is that we need to create chances, so I want everyone to be smart on the ball today, get into space, create space, abuse space, and get on the pace, so let's show them why we're called the red devils lads!" 

The team bus pulled up to Afield, the Liverpool stadium, the stadium that was pulled out of a hat for this match, the atmosphere was pretty good indeed. The locker room was loud and rowdy, we weren't complacent, but we were eager to show our prowess on the field. We lined up in the tunnel where we were greeted by the West Ham squad, I nodded at all of them before shaking hands with the captain, Kurt Zouma. 

The walkout onto the pitch was quite calming and reassuring, seeing the mass of United fans, there were West Ham fans around too, and some curious Liverpool fans who came to watch what was going on in their stadium...

The stage was set for destruction...

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