Chapter Thirteen

The roar of the American crowd echoed through the stadium as Manchester United took the field for their first preseason friendly. The air crackled with anticipation. New manager, Carlo Ancelotti, barked out instructions, his accent adding a touch of international flair to the Old Trafford hopefuls. Adesola, perched in the director's box, scanned the pitch. Young De Gea commanded his area with confidence. A back four of Kimmich, Smalling, the stoic Vidic, and Shaw held firm. Carrick and Fletcher anchored the midfield, their experience a calming presence for the younger players around them. Nani and Rooney, the veteran duo, patrolled the flanks, their movements familiar yet revitalized by a newfound sense of purpose.

The first few games were a mixed bag. Victories against smaller clubs showcased glimpses of Ancelotti's attacking philosophy, with Rooney and Nani linking up well. However, defensive lapses and a lack of cohesion were concerning but expected. Adesola watched from the stands, a growing urgency gnawing at him.

Then came the big one – Manchester United vs Real Madrid at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara. The atmosphere was electric. Cristiano Ronaldo, his return to Old Trafford hotly anticipated, received a standing ovation from the United faithful. The starting lineup reflected Adesola's evolving vision. De Gea, a rock in goal, marshaled a backline of Valencia, Van Dijk, Vidic, and Shaw. Carrick and Kroos, controlled the midfield. Nani and the electric Dembele terrorized the flanks, with Rooney a focal point in attack.

The game was a tense affair. Ronaldo, a constant threat, nearly opened the scoring with a trademark free-kick that De Gea spectacularly palmed away. United countered with pace, Dembele's searing run ending with a pinpoint cross that Rooney headed just wide. The first half ended scoreless, both teams feeling each other out.

The second half saw Ancelotti make some tactical tweaks, bringing on the experienced Giggs for Dembele to add a touch of composure in midfield. The change paid dividends. Giggs, displaying flashes of his former brilliance, threaded a defense-splitting pass to Rooney, who made no mistake, slotting the ball past Casillas to send the United fans into a frenzy.

Real Madrid upped the pressure, but Van Dijk stood firm, a colossus at the back. The game seemed destined for a narrow United victory when disaster struck. A moment of hesitation in the United defense allowed Ronaldo to steal the ball and slot it past De Gea with a clinical finish. The final whistle blew on a 1-1 draw, a fair reflection of the competitive encounter.

Despite the result, Adesola left the stadium with a renewed sense of optimism. The team had shown glimpses of their potential.There was work to be done, but Adesola, fueled by his vision of the future, was confident he could build a team that would dominate the world stage. He exited the stadium, the roar of the United fans a soundtrack to his ambition.