Rebuilding the Theatre

On a quiet evening on the outskirts of Manchester, the Ferguson manor was alive with warmth and laughter. The legendary Sir Alex Ferguson had invited a select group of his closest confidants—former players who had become like family—for a private dinner. Among the guests was Jin Taige, the newly appointed manager of Manchester United, who had arrived early to spend some time with his mentor.

As Jin Taige approached the grand entrance, he was greeted by a familiar face. "Captain! Did you just get here?" asked Gary Neville, his voice tinged with both respect and camaraderie.

"Just arrived," Jin Taige replied with a smile. "The Jazz is waiting inside. Let's not keep him."

The two men exchanged a brief hug before stepping into the manor. The atmosphere was warm and inviting, a stark contrast to the pressure-cooker environment of Old Trafford. For Jin Taige, it was a rare moment of respite.

Ferguson was seated in the living room, a glass of red wine in hand. When he saw Jin Taige, his eyes lit up. "Tiger! How does it feel to be the manager of Manchester United?"

Jin Taige chuckled nervously. "It's… difficult."

The words carried more weight than he intended. Over the past few weeks, the reality of his new role had begun to sink in. The expectations, the scrutiny, the sheer magnitude of the task—it was overwhelming. Yet, Jin Taige knew he couldn't afford to show weakness, not in front of Ferguson.

Ferguson gestured for Jin Taige to sit. "I remember when I first took over. I was a nervous wreck. But you'll find your footing. Trust me."

Jin Taige nodded, grateful for the reassurance. He recounted the whirlwind of events that had led to his appointment—the sudden promotion to assistant coach, Ferguson's public endorsement, and the surreal moment when Malcolm Glazer handed him a three-year contract. "I didn't feel ready," Jin Taige admitted. "But something inside me just… took over."

Ferguson smiled knowingly. "That's the spirit of Manchester United. It's in your blood, Tiger. You'll do just fine."

As the evening progressed, more guests arrived. One by one, the legends of Manchester United's golden era stepped into the manor. David Beckham, Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes, the Neville brothers, and Nicky Butt—each greeted Jin Taige with a respectful nod and a warm smile. To them, he was still "Captain," a title earned not just through leadership but through mutual respect and shared history.

"Captain!" Beckham exclaimed, pulling Jin Taige into a bear hug. "It's been too long."

"Too long indeed," Jin Taige replied, his voice tinged with nostalgia. "The Jazz is waiting inside. Let's not keep him."

The group made their way to the living room, where Ferguson was holding court. The atmosphere was electric, filled with laughter and reminiscences of glory days. For Jin Taige, it was a poignant reminder of the legacy he was now tasked with upholding.

The dinner was a lavish affair, with Ferguson playing the role of the gracious host. As the meal progressed, the conversation turned to life after football.

"David, how's retirement treating you?" Ferguson asked, his eyes twinkling with mischief.

Beckham grinned. "It's an adjustment, but Victoria's got me investing in a few projects. I'm even thinking about buying a football club in the States."

Ferguson nodded approvingly. "You've always had a good head for business."

He then turned to Scholes. "Paul, what about you? Any plans?"

Scholes shrugged. "Still figuring it out. Maybe coaching, maybe punditry. We'll see."

The Neville brothers and Butt shared their own stories of life after retirement, each finding their own way to stay connected to the game they loved. Giggs, the only one still playing, was the last to speak.

"I've got one more year in me," he said, his gaze shifting to Jin Taige. "But I'd love to finish my career playing under the Captain."

The room erupted in laughter, but there was a hint of seriousness in Giggs' words. For Jin Taige, it was both a compliment and a challenge.

As the evening drew to a close, Ferguson raised his glass. "To Manchester United," he said, his voice filled with pride. "And to the future."

The guests echoed the toast, their glasses clinking in unison. For Jin Taige, it was a moment of clarity. The weight of the task ahead was immense, but he wasn't alone. He had the support of his mentor, his former teammates, and the millions of fans who bled red.

As the guests began to leave, Jin Taige found himself standing outside the manor, the cool night air clearing his mind. Beckham, Giggs, and the others exchanged farewells, each offering words of encouragement.

"Captain," Beckham said, clasping Jin Taige's shoulder. "You've got this."

Giggs nodded. "We're all behind you."

Jin Taige smiled, his resolve hardening. "I won't let you down."

As the cars pulled away, Scholes lingered behind. "Captain, let me give you a ride back to Manchester."

Jin Taige accepted the offer, grateful for the company. As they drove through the quiet streets, he couldn't help but feel a sense of anticipation. The road ahead would be challenging, but he was ready. The era of Tiger King had begun.

XXXXXXXXX

As the last of the guests departed, Ferguson stood at the doorway of his manor, watching their cars disappear into the distance. The summer evening was warm, the sky painted in hues of orange and purple. His wife, Casey, approached him, her voice soft and comforting.

"Alex, are they gone?" she asked. "Why didn't you talk more with them?"

Ferguson sighed, his gaze still fixed on the horizon. "I'm old, Casey. I get tired easily these days. Besides, they have their own lives to live now."

Casey smiled, placing a hand on his arm. "You've done so much for them. Seeing them all here today—doesn't it make you feel proud?"

Ferguson nodded, a wistful expression crossing his face. "It does. But it also makes me think of how quickly time passes. I remember 1999 like it was yesterday—the treble, the celebrations, the sheer joy of it all. And now, look at them. Beckham, Giggs, Scholes… they've all retired. Even I've stepped away."

Casey chuckled. "You came to Manchester as Mr. Ferguson and left as Sir Alex. You've achieved more than most could ever dream of. You should be content."

"I am," Ferguson admitted. "But there's still one thing that weighs on me."

"You mean Jin Taige," Casey said, her voice gentle.

Ferguson nodded. "He was the best of the Class of '92. If not for that injury, he would've surpassed even Giggs and Beckham. Now, he's taken over as manager, and I can't help but worry."

Casey tilted her head, curious. "Did you give him any advice tonight? Share some of your wisdom?"

"No," Ferguson replied, his tone thoughtful. "I didn't say much to him. I just told him to bring the league trophy back and to aim for the Champions League."

Casey raised an eyebrow. "Why? I thought one of the reasons you invited everyone today was to guide him."

Ferguson turned to her, a faint smile playing on his lips. "You know me too well, Casey. Yes, I invited them for Jin Taige's sake. But not to teach him how to coach. Over the past 16 years, I've watched him closely. He's not just hardworking—he's brilliant. He's taken his footballing talent and channeled it into coaching. The youth team has flourished under him, and he's got the ambition to take Manchester United to new heights. That's why I recommended him."

He paused, taking a sip of water before continuing. "Tonight, I wanted to give him a gift. Not something tangible, but something far more valuable."

Casey's eyes widened in understanding. "You mean Paul Scholes?"

Ferguson nodded. "Yes. Paul's just retired, and he's unsure about his future. I thought he'd be the perfect addition to Jin Taige's coaching staff. He knows the club inside out, and his experience as a player will be invaluable."

Casey smiled warmly. "That's a wonderful gift, Alex. For Jin Taige, and for Paul."

Meanwhile, Jin Taige sat in the passenger seat of Scholes' car, a leather notebook resting in his hands. The notebook was a gift from his former teammates, filled with heartfelt messages and well-wishes. As he flipped through the pages, a sense of nostalgia washed over him.

"Do you like it?" Scholes asked, his eyes on the road.

"I love it," Jin Taige replied, his voice filled with gratitude. "It's a reminder of how far we've all come."

Scholes nodded. "We wrote those messages while you were outside with the Jazz. It's not often we all get together like this."

Jin Taige smiled, but there was a hint of sadness in his eyes. "I heard you're making a documentary about the Class of '92 this summer."

"That's right," Scholes said, his tone brightening. "You should join us, Captain. The film wouldn't be complete without you."

Jin Taige shook his head. "It's about you guys—the stars who went on to achieve so much. Not someone like me, who retired at 18."

Scholes glanced at him, his expression softening. "Captain, you're as much a part of the Class of '92 as any of us. What happened to you… it wasn't fair. But look at you now. You're the manager of Manchester United. That's something none of us could've imagined."

Jin Taige looked out the window, the city lights flickering in the distance. "I've made my peace with the past, Paul. Life is unpredictable, but I'm grateful for where I am now."

Scholes hesitated for a moment before speaking again. "Captain, there's something I've been meaning to discuss with you."

"What is it?" Jin Taige asked, turning to face him.

Scholes took a deep breath. "I've just retired, and I'm not sure what I want to do next. But I've been thinking… maybe I could join your coaching staff. Help you out for a while, gain some experience, and see if coaching is for me."

Jin Taige's eyes widened in surprise and delight. "Paul, that would be incredible! Having you by my side would make all the difference."

Scholes smiled, relieved by Jin Taige's reaction. "I'm glad you think so. I want to help you continue the legacy of the Jazz and keep Manchester United at the top."

Jin Taige leaned back in his seat, a sense of excitement building within him. "This is the best news I've had since taking over. Paul, you're officially my first signing of the summer!"

As the car sped through the night, Scholes couldn't help but feel a sense of purpose. He thought of Ferguson's words earlier that evening: Help him, Paul. Help him carry the torch. And as he glanced at Jin Taige, he knew he was ready to do