The phone rang, cutting through the stillness of the room like a thunderclap. Ethan's heart skipped a beat as he reached for it, trying to steady his breath. The moment he'd been waiting for had arrived — the call that could change everything.
He glanced at Ellie, who was sitting across from him, her fingers drumming lightly on the desk, her eyes glued to his face. She knew just as well as he did that this call was the turning point. They'd put everything into this, from their strategy to their pitch to their vision. Now, it all came down to Kylian Mbappé's decision.
Ethan pressed the green button. "Hello?"
"Mr. Cross," came the voice on the other end, calm and measured. It was Mbappé's agent. "I'm calling to inform you that Kylian has made his decision."
The words hung in the air for a heartbeat. Ethan could barely contain himself. "And?"
The agent took a moment before speaking again. "Kylian is excited to join Manchester United. He believes in your vision. He wants to be a part of what you're building."
Ethan felt a rush of adrenaline, but he didn't allow himself to show it. He knew how delicate the moment was. "That's fantastic news. Please let Kylian know we'll make sure he feels right at home here. We're ready to move forward whenever he is."
There was a pause on the line, and then the agent spoke again, his voice lower now. "One last thing. There's the small matter of the contract details — you know how this works. But Kylian is fully committed to this project."
Ethan nodded, even though the agent couldn't see him. "Understood. We'll have everything ready. Let's make this official."
After hanging up, Ethan sat back in his chair, his eyes still fixed on the phone. The weight of the moment started to sink in. They had done it. Kylian Mbappé, the player who had once seemed out of reach, was now part of Manchester United's future.
Ellie let out a breath she hadn't realized she was holding. "Well, that was a lot more nerve-wracking than I expected."
Ethan ran a hand through his hair, still processing the news. "I can't believe it. We've actually done it."
"Don't act surprised," Ellie said with a grin. "You've been working towards this moment for months. You've convinced him that this is where he can make history. It was only a matter of time."
Ethan smiled, a mix of exhaustion and excitement washing over him. "Right. Now comes the hard part: making sure the rest of the world knows."
The announcement came the following morning. It wasn't just another press release. This was Kylian Mbappé, one of the best footballers of his generation, joining Manchester United. The news spread like wildfire, igniting the footballing world in a way few transfers had done before. Social media exploded, fans erupted in joy, and rival supporters were quick to share their disbelief.
At Carrington, the mood was electric. Players were talking about it in the hallways, coaches were discussing tactics with renewed vigor, and the media frenzy outside the training ground was only growing. The signing of Mbappé had instantly transformed the atmosphere at United. For the first time in years, there was a palpable sense of belief, of excitement, of something special on the horizon.
Ethan sat in his office, watching the flood of messages come in, his phone buzzing nonstop. He had always been prepared for the pressure, but seeing it all unfold in real-time was something else entirely. He leaned back in his chair and let out a deep breath.
It was official. Kylian Mbappé was a Manchester United player.
The next few days were a whirlwind of press conferences, media interviews, and social media campaigns. The club had arranged a grand unveiling at Old Trafford, and the anticipation was unbearable. Fans had already begun lining up outside the stadium, hoping to catch a glimpse of their new star. The event had all the trimmings of a Hollywood premiere, with the spotlight shining brightly on Mbappé as he stood before the gathered press.
Ethan stood backstage, watching the scene unfold. He wasn't one for the spotlight, but today, he had a job to do. He had to be there, in the moment, to witness the new chapter in Manchester United's history begin.
Ellie came up beside him, giving him a look that was equal parts pride and disbelief. "I can't believe we're here."
Ethan nodded, his eyes still fixed on the stage. "Neither can I. But we did it. We brought him here. Now we need to make sure we follow through."
"I have no doubt," Ellie said with a smile. "You've already built the foundation. Now it's time for Kylian to help you lay the bricks."
As the doors opened and Mbappé stepped out onto the stage, the crowd erupted into cheers. The cameras flashed, capturing every moment as the French superstar made his way to the podium. There was a weight to the moment, a sense that this was the beginning of something far greater than just a transfer.
Mbappé was greeted with a sea of Manchester United scarves and jerseys, and the roar of the fans was deafening. He smiled, soaking in the energy of the crowd. It was a moment he'd dreamed of — the chance to be the hero, to lead a new era of success at one of the biggest clubs in the world.
Ethan watched as Mbappé took his seat at the press conference, the media frenzy around him growing louder by the second. The questions came fast and furious, but Mbappé answered them with grace and confidence.
"I'm here to win," he said, his voice steady. "Manchester United is a club with a rich history, but it's also a club that's ready to write the next chapter. I want to be part of that. I want to help make history."
The room erupted into applause, and Ethan allowed himself a moment to breathe. This was it. This was the turning point. The world had just witnessed the beginning of a new era at Manchester United. And at the heart of it all stood Kylian Mbappé — the player who had the potential to change everything.
As the press conference came to a close, Mbappé looked over at Ethan and gave him a small nod. It wasn't much, but it was enough. It was the unspoken acknowledgment that the journey they had embarked on together was just beginning.
Ethan smiled, feeling the weight of it all in his chest. He had always known this was possible, but now that it was real, it was almost surreal.
They were no longer just Manchester United. They were back.
And the world would soon know it.