I arrived at Manchester Piccadilly station the day after Manchester United’s unfortunate finale, when they conceded a late goal in a match against Burnley, who could face relegation.

The squad is most likely out of the running for the Champions League with just four games remaining. They still have a chance to qualify for the Europa League, though. At the moment, they are ranked sixth in the Premier League. Beating teams like Newcastle and Aston Villa is one thing. To defeat Manchester City, who have previously faced them and are currently on course to win the Premier League for an unprecedented fourth time, is quite another. The only other team that has even approached this is United.

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A popular restaurant that is well-known throughout the north is located next to the station exit. The young man behind the bar shrugs when I inquire about the game from last night. I’m getting my vegan banger roll from him. “Disappointing” is all he can say about it. His succinct response gives me an idea when I ask him a similar inquiry later in an oddly deserted Starbucks.

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One barista tells me, “The team is good; it’s just badly managed in my opinion,” as she pours me a mocha. Nothing negative can be said about the employees. Everyone in the city seems to have an opinion on the matter. They may criticize the management, discuss the consequences of a series of significant mishaps, or claim that the city is “blue,” which is Man City’s official color.

Like when rumors about the Haçienda were at their height, it will soon be evident that everyone has an opinion about Manchester United. They are the most talked-about and followed British football team, despite the fact that they haven’t won a championship since 2013. Under Sir Alex Ferguson’s direction, they won thirteen English League championships. According to my father, they were so significant that they named me Cole after one of their top forwards.

The scent of the local “Spoons” accompanies a dubious-looking man who slips between the doors before they close as I hoist my baggage into the hotel elevator. He greets you with a warm “hello” from the north and a proud “I root for the Red Devils!” before he begins to enumerate his favorite players in a way that makes you question whether you’re mad to ask.

The 28-year-old attacker Anthony Martial is calm, poised, and quick, but in his nine years with the squad, he has sustained numerous injuries. After four years with the team, Bruno Fernandes, a 29-year-old midfielder, has scored 79 goals in 230 appearances. He is really good with the ball and intelligent. Then there is Manchester’s pride, Marcus Rashford, who appeared on the cover of Dazed. Both his on-field (131 goals in 399 games) and off-field (campaigning for free school food during the epidemic) achievements have garnered him recognition from the media.

There’s a surprise after that. a name who has only been a member of the main squad for a year or so. Despite the fact that the player had only played 30 games and scored three goals, he joyfully said the name. “Moo, Bobbie.” No, [Kobbie] is fantastic. He remarks, “What a great player.” Nevertheless, you shouldn’t overstress him.

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Mainoo’s smile conveys the fact that she is only 19 years old. His humility counterbalances his increasing reputation as a frightening player. The hem of his huge Balenciaga football jersey, a la Ariana Grande, barely reaches his knuckles, giving him the soft demeanor of a youngster still maturing.

Managers, brand representatives, and his two lovable and supportive sisters are among the few individuals who accompany Mainoo. As the strain mounts around their budding star, they become more perceptive and kind.

The following afternoon, we’ll meet at one of Sale’s neighborhood sports clubs, which are quite similar to the ones he played in as a child, spending hours traveling between his house, school, and game locations. He always shakes hands firmly and looks people in the eye, but more intriguingly, he never displays any symptoms of the stress that is placed on him. Although there are numerous reasons for them to be, there are no indications of ego expansion.