The adrenaline was still flowing. The ink on the Kim Min-jae contract had barely dried when the team's attention shifted back to the next mountain to climb: Declan Rice. The mood around Carrington was optimistic, even electric, but there was a palpable tension beneath the surface.
Ethan Cross sat at the head of the table in the boardroom, the hum of conversations and the clink of coffee cups filling the air. Ten Hag, Mitchell van der Gaag, and Ellie were all present, faces lit with a mixture of excitement and determination.
"Well, that's two major signings in the bag," Ethan said, leaning back in his chair, his fingers tapping lightly on the edge of the table. "But Rice is going to be the final piece of this midfield puzzle. We need to close this deal. Now."
Ellie nodded. "I've been in touch with Nick again. Declan's still undecided, but it's clear the pull of United's project is strong. It's just a matter of whether he wants to bet on himself with us or take the safety net Arsenal is offering."
Ten Hag adjusted his glasses, his eyes narrowing slightly. "Stability is a luxury, but at a certain point, you want something more. You want to be part of something that will make history. I'm confident that Rice can see that."
Ethan raised an eyebrow. "You don't mince words, do you?"
"I don't have time for mince," Ten Hag replied dryly. "We build champions here."
The room fell silent for a moment, the weight of the task ahead hanging in the air. The deal for Mbappé had been groundbreaking, and Kim Min-jae was a massive coup, but Rice? Declan Rice could change the entire trajectory of this team. He wasn't just a player; he was a symbol. A leader who could breathe life into the midfield and tie the team together in a way that no one else could.
Ethan stood up, his fingers brushing over the names pinned to the board: Mbappé — world-class attacker, Kim Min-jae — defensive beast, Rice — midfield general. Everything was starting to fall into place, but there were still gaps to fill.
"Once we secure Rice, we turn our attention to the others," Ethan said. "We still need a backup striker, a right-back, and I'm not happy with the depth in the center of the park. We need at least one more."
Ellie's eyes flickered to the screen in front of her, which displayed a list of potential signings. She scrolled through, stopping on one name.
"Pulisic is available," she said. "Chelsea's looking to offload. He could be an option if we're looking for a winger or attacking depth."
Ten Hag's face remained neutral. "Pulisic is a good player. But is he the right fit for our system?"
"We'll look into it," Ethan said, tapping his pen against the table. "But first things first. We close Rice."
The phone buzzed on the table, interrupting the conversation. Ellie grabbed it and quickly scanned the message.
"It's Nick," she said, looking up from the screen. "He wants to meet with us tomorrow. Declan's agreed to sit down face-to-face."
Ethan's heart skipped a beat. "Good. We're almost there. Let's seal the deal, and then we'll move on to the next challenge."
—
The next day, Ethan, Ten Hag, and Ellie found themselves in a private room at a hotel in London, awaiting Declan Rice's arrival. It wasn't a lavish setting; this was business, not a spectacle. They weren't here for small talk or photo ops. They were here to close the deal, plain and simple.
Ethan stood by the window, watching the bustling city below, but his mind was focused on the task at hand. The timing was critical. With the transfer window slowly inching toward its final weeks, every decision carried more weight.
Ellie leaned against the table, a cup of coffee in her hand. "You've got this, Ethan. Just remember, no pressure."
Ethan shot her a look. "No pressure? We're negotiating for the most sought-after midfielder in the Premier League, and if we don't land him, we'll have to build the midfield from scratch. No pressure at all."
She chuckled. "I mean, the whole 'we're Manchester United, we don't beg' thing works for you, right?"
"I'm hoping so," Ethan said, his tone more serious than playful now.
At that moment, the door opened, and Nick, Rice's agent, stepped inside, followed by the man himself.
Declan Rice. The player Ethan had been tracking for months. The player who could elevate this team into true contenders. The leader who could take Manchester United back to the top.
"Ethan, Erik," Declan said, smiling warmly as he shook their hands. "Good to finally meet in person."
"Good to meet you, Declan," Ethan replied. "And I'm glad we could make this happen so quickly. We've been waiting for this moment."
Rice nodded, his expression thoughtful. "I've been doing a lot of thinking lately. It's a big decision, you know?"
"Of course," Ethan said. "But I think you already know what Manchester United is all about. We're about ambition. We're about challenging for every title, not just settling for stability. We want players who are hungry to make history. You could be the one who leads us to the top."
Rice leaned back in his chair, his gaze intense. "I've always admired United. I watched the greats when I was younger. But I've got a job to do. I need to know that this project isn't just words. I need to see the vision, the plan."
"We've got that," Ten Hag chimed in. "We're building something special here. Mbappé is just the beginning. We're assembling a squad that will challenge for everything — the Premier League, the Champions League, everything."
Rice's eyes narrowed slightly. "And what about the midfield? I'm not coming here to play a bit part. I want to be the guy."
Ethan smiled, his confidence growing. "You'll be the guy, Declan. We need you to be that leader. This team needs someone to pull the strings, someone to control the tempo, someone who will put in the dirty work and drive us forward. That's you."
For a moment, the room was quiet, as Rice seemed to weigh the decision.
Finally, he spoke. "You've convinced me. I'm ready to join Manchester United. Let's get this done."
Ethan's heart soared. "Welcome to the club, Declan."
As Rice shook hands with Ten Hag, the realization hit Ethan: this was happening. The foundation was being laid, the pieces were falling into place, and the future of Manchester United was starting to take shape.
But there was no time to celebrate. The next challenge was already waiting. The transfer window was ticking down, and the competition was fierce. Every deal, every negotiation, every signing counted.
And United weren't done yet. Not by a long shot.
Ethan looked out the window again, but this time, it wasn't just the city skyline he saw. It was the road ahead, the road to glory. And he knew that every step from here would be crucial.
The storm had passed. Now, it was time to build.