Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
The readers in England who liked to peep at other people’s tabloid papers soon realized that the reports were all nonsense; the same newspapers had similarly related news except today’s and yesterday’s versions of the story were completely different.
The reporters also felt that the writing was too exaggerated. It was better to wait for the press conference the day before the game. They were so looking forward to the conference that while the Forest team was in the Old Trafford stadium doing their drills to adapt to the field, a group of excited reporters was already waiting in the conference room.
When the team had finished their training and walked back to the locker room to take a shower, Twain went straight from the field to the conference room.
At the end of the corridor, Twain nearly collided head-on with someone who had walked around of the corner. Seeing the other person’s full head of white hair, Twain reflexively took the other person’s arm to assist him, assuming that he was a clumsy old man. He was surprised to find out that the man whom he was supporting was actually the manager of Manchester United, Alex Ferguson!
The encounter was incredibly awkward.
These were the circumstances in which these two men, whose teams were about to play against each other, met for the first time.
Ferguson looked down and patted the dust from the walls off of his body, and was surprised to see Twain when he looked up.
The two men looked at each other for a while, and Ferguson smiled.
You must be regretting taking a step back just now, Mr. Twain.
Now that you mention it, I do regret it a little, Sir Ferguson.
Twain replied.
People say that Tony Twain is a manager with a powerful and glib tongue… well, I finally believe it.
Ferguson’s expression remained unchanged. What was initially seen as a friendly smile now felt like a gibe.
Ferguson was great at playing mind games with other managers before games. It was his forte. Kevin Keegan, who had been doing well at Newcastle United, was thrown off by a similar blow to his mentality, and thus readily surrendered the championship title of the league. The poor man had even ranted on a television show,
I would love it if we beat Manchester United; love it!
The former European Footballer of the Year clearly did not stand a chance when it came to engaging in a psychological battle with Ferguson.
The long-term trading of blows between Ferguson and the Frenchman, Arsène Wenger, had become a hallmark of the Premier League, and now he wanted to use his move against Twain.
But he seemed to have picked the wrong opponent.
Twain smiled.
I’m the opposite of you, Sir Ferguson. I never doubt your eloquence.
The two men stood in the corridor, both feeling that they had met their match.
Upon hearing Twain’s reply, Ferguson nodded.
Would you mind going out at the same time with me?
He pointed in a direction where some noise was coming from.
This was not at all a signal that Ferguson wanted to shake hands or make peace with Twain. But Twain would have been cowardly to refuse, so he nodded.
When the managers appeared together at the press conference, they immediately attracted the attention of the media. The small room was filled with camera flashes and for a few seconds, the press room became brilliant white.
Ferguson was accustomed to scenes like that. He walked to his own seat with his head held high. But Twain was still somewhat uncomfortable. He squinted and crossed the room with a frown on his face and his head lowered.
After the managers were seated, the press release official announced that they could start.
Just as the announcement was made, all the reporters held up their hands, and half of the raised arms were directed at the Forest team for the recent events.
When Twain heard the first reporter’s question, he knew.
Hello, Mr. Twain. I’m from The Sun. I’d like to ask about the recent media coverage. Is it true?
Twain did not directly answer the reporter. Instead, he faced the other reporters with looks of anticipation and said,
Who else is going to ask about the internal dynamics of the Forest team these past few days? Why don’t you all ask together, and I’ll give a unified answer.
When the reporters heard that, they thought that there was going to a show. So they all stood and threw out all the questions they had long kept in their minds.
Twain sat in front of the microphone and listened carefully to every question. Sometimes he would even nod lightly, and seemed to be thinking about how to organize his answer.
When everyone was finished with their questions, he raised his head and asked,
Anyone else? If there’s no one else, it’s my turn to speak. You’ve all raised a lot of questions here; that’s good, reporters always like to ask questions. Now I also have a question, and I hope you can answer me… I summed up all the questions you have asked just now, and found an area that I can’t understand: why is it that some of the questions that puzzle you are about the news that you wrote yourselves? Well, who can tell me? The Sun asked me whether the news was true, and I wanted to ask them, if it wasn’t true, why did you publish it in your newspaper?! Are you scamming for writing fees and wasting the publication’s layout space and paper?
Twain really wanted to curse and swear at the group of reporters. Fortunately, he refrained from doing so. He would not have been able to escape a penalty from the Football Association if it had come to that. Although he did not use foul language, his tone was harsh; and unless the reporters had problems with their intelligence, they could make out the hidden anger in his remarks.
Today’s press conference is about tomorrow’s competition, not about the press conference after the last UEFA Europa League game. Everyone, please be clear about that. While you’re so morbidly interested in the Forest team’s locker room situation, have you ever considered the owner here?
Twain looked at Ferguson sitting next to him.
In the eyes of the reporters, Twain did this out of respect for his senior, Sir Alex Ferguson. Such a stance was reasonable in an away match.
Then Twain said,
So let’s focus on tomorrow’s game. Manchester United is a great team with many outstanding players. Sir Alex Ferguson is also a remarkable manager. Just look at his many accomplishments.
His words corresponded with everyone’s expectations. Almost every manager who came to Old Trafford would say the same thing to the reporters, with the exception of Wenger and Mourinho, of course.
However, after that, Twain had a sudden change of tack.
But Nottingham Forest is not here to worship the mighty Manchester United. We are here to compete. The game has only one purpose, and that victory.
Once he had made his stance clear, Twain stopped.
I’ve said everything I wanted to say.
Ferguson glanced at Twain and then continued his train of thought.
That’s right; a football game is about winning. I agree with Mr. Twain on this point.
Twain looked at Ferguson and smiled, and the old Scottish man smiled at him too.
Their competition continued covertly.
※※※
A football fanatic might get dizzy when seeing these names appearing on the field as one’s opponents. Such a fan would know what these players’ strengths were, and what they represented.
Ruud van Nistelrooy, the Netherlands national team’s main striker, whose nickname was
The King of Goal Area,
and whose perceptive awareness in shooting into the goal was world class.
Wayne Rooney, England’s golden boy, and the biggest discovery of the England national team in the UEFA European Championship held in Portugal. He had quickly established himself in the squad after his transfer to Manchester United at a sky-high price.
Cristiano Ronaldo, another golden boy; he was the golden player of the Portuguese national team. Known as the successor to Luís Figo, his fancy dribbling and formidable speed were his key features.
Paul Scholes, the Manchester United veteran, was cautious and conscientious. With outstanding strength, his powerful long shots were his signature skill.
Ryan Giggs, the lightning-fast Welshman and national team captain of Wales, was one of the world’s top three left wingers.
Gary Neville was once a key figure in Manchester United’s brilliant ’92 generation. He was England and Manchester United’s number one choice for a right back. He had a robust way of playing and his interceptions were fierce. At the same, he was excellent at long range crosses, and had a successful partnership with Beckham in the right flank with plenty of assists for each other.
Rio Ferdinand, who had been the most expensive defender in the world when he had moved from Leeds United to Manchester United in 2002, was still the most expensive defender in England. Before the drug test uproar, he was the English national team’s main center back. And before the sudden rise of John Terry, the center back combination of him and Sol Campbell was considered the best in the football world.
And of course, Roy Keane should not be forgotten; the Irishman was the captain of Manchester United, the spiritual leader of the Red Devils after Eric Cantona, and an indispensably important figure. As long as he was present, Manchester United would always be full of fighting spirit and unafraid of any opponents. His enemies would always hate him and wish he was dead, and the Manchester United fans would always support him and love him to death.
