CHAPTER 3: THE BEGINNING OF PRE SEASON

That day, Solksjær gathered all players after their training session is over.

"Okay, boys. Listen up. As you know, we will have a pre-season tour this season and this time, we'll go to USA. The team that we will face are Orlando City, New York Redbull, Real Salt Lake, Houston Dynamo and LA Galaxy. We'll go to America in 3 days. So, prepare well. Now, you may dismissed" said Solksjær.

"So, you'll face your old team, mate" said Chris as he and Aaron walked back home.

"Yeah. Not to mention, Orlando City too. I wonder if my sister will come to watch and pray that I will got destroyed there" replied Aaron.

"Things still bad between you and your family?" asked Chris.

"Yeah. But that doesn't matter. If they didn't want anything to do with me, so be it. More reason for me not going back there then" replied Aaron.

"That's harsh" said Chris.

"I don't care" replied Aaron.

"For how long that you won't talk with your family?" asked Chris.

"Until they apologize to me" replied Aaron.

"Never knew that you're this stubborn" said Chris. Aaron just shrugged. Then, they came across Millie and Tooney.

"Aha, there you both are" said Tooney.

"You're looking for us?" asked Chris.

"Of course. Now, let's go and grab something for lunch together" said Mil.

"Sure thing. Let's go, then" replied Aaron.

Later at the diner;

"So, where will you boys be for pre-season?" asked Millie.

"My homeland" replied Aaron.

"Won't you be excited?" asked Tooney.

"Not really. It's not that I didn't return there for years after all. Besides, most fans there thought that I'm a sexist just because I didn't care about the women's players want for equal pay when play for the national team" replied Aaron.

"What about if we did the same?" asked Millie.

"Then, I'll call you a massive dumbass" replied Aaron.

"Why?" asked Tooney.

"Well, you see. Women national team in USA got $24,000,000 per year if you added all the salaries and benefits that they got while men only get $18,000,000 per year and without any benefits. They were offered the same paying structure that we got but they reject it because they want to keep the benefits" replied Aaron.

"Then somehow they go against your opinion?" asked Millie.

"Yup. Not to mention, they said that I don't deserved to say anything since I'm not even 21 years old yet. Let the adult do the talk they said" replied Aaron.

"That's bad. You deserved better" said Tooney.

"That's why I accepted the offer to play here so that I don't have to be involve in this sport political issue" replied Aaron.

"Wise move. So, none of your family contacted you since you're here?" asked Millie

"Nope. I think they saw me as a disgrace nowadays. So, whatever. I just need to focus in my career and create history" replied Aaron.

"That's great. Don't worry. Both men and women team players are friends here. You'll be fine" said Chris.

"That's true. Especially Mil here will be honour to help you anytime, right Mil?" asked Tooney causing Millie to blushed a bit.

"Yes, of course. Anything for a friend" replied Mil. Aaron just smirked.

Few days later;

All players and coaching staff arrived at Exploria Stadium for the match against Orlando City SC. After change into their training kit, all players went to the pitch for warming up session.

"Your sister's here, mate" said Chris.

"I know" replied Aaron.

"Don't you want to greet her?" asked McTominay.

"Nope" replied Aaron.

"You're more stubborn than any of us here" said Maguire. Aaron just chuckled.

Starting Line-Up of The Match

Orlando City 1st Eleven: Grinwis (GK), Teixeira (RB), Sané (RCB), Jansson (LCB), Smith (LB), Kljestan (RCM), Méndez (CM), Johnson (LCM), Mueller (RWF), Akindele (CF), Nani (LWF)

Manchester United 1st Eleven: Joel Pereira (GK), Laird (RB), Tuanzebe (RCB), Maguire (LCB), Williams (LB) Lingard (RM), McTominay (CM), Pogba (CM), Chong (LM), Beckham (AM), Morgan (ST)

"Most of players used by Manchester United are youngsters" said Ali.

"Yeah. While Orlando used almost all their top players" said Syd.

"Are they look down on our men or something?" asked Ashlynn.

"Well, who knows. Besides, we can't look down to them too" replied Alex.

PRIIIIIIITTTT

The match begins with Orlando City kicked off the 1st half.

8th minute of the match;

The ball is with Pogba. He then sent the ball to Chris. Chris then runs with the ball before sent it through to Aaron. Aaron found some space before shoot into the net for Manchester United to open the score.

"That's was fast" said Syd.

"Yeah. These youngsters are not bad at all" replied Ashlynn.

17th minute of the match;

Orlando was awarded a corner kick. Once the referee blew his whistle, Nani sent the ball into Manchester United's penalty box before Akindele heads the ball but Joel Pereira managed to catch the ball.

37th minute of the match;

Manchester United was awarded a free kick 23-metres at the right side of the pitch. Once the referee blew his whistle, Aaron kicked the ball with a perfect curl passing through the Orlando's defensive wall. Grinwis tried to make a save but failed as the ball enters the net for the 2nd goal for The Red Devils.

"I think he made a good decision to play in England" said Syd.

"Why is that?" asked Ali.

"Look how well these youngsters are compared to our boys there. He can develops himself better there" replied Syd.

"Develops better, huh" said Alex.

Flashback

Alex and 10-years old Aaron are kicking the ball at their backyard.

"So, Aaron. Do want you to be a pro player one day?" asked Alex.

"Of course" replied Aaron.

"So, want to be a star in MLS?" asked Alex.

"Nah, not interested. I want to play in English Premier League and be better than Cristiano Ronaldo. Then, I'll play for USMNT and put 2 stars in our crest just like USWNT did" replied Aaron.

"What a big dream you have there" said Alex.

"Well, you told me that if it's not big, it's not worthy to be a dream" replied Aaron. Alex smirked.

"Smart boy. I expect no less than that from my baby bro" said Alex. Aaron just grinned.

End of Flashback

"He's really living his dream now" said Alex then.

"His dream is to play in Europe?" asked Ashlynn.

"Yeah. He even want to be better than Cristiano Ronaldo. That's his dream since he just a kid" replied Alex.

"What a big dream. No wonder he played so great in Gold Cup. He has his own target in his career" said Syd.

"You know, I might didn't like it when he said most of us here played for the national team just because of money but I can't hate a guy that work hard to achieve his dream" replied Ali.

Half time;

"You know, mate. I think you should talk to your sister again. You're torturing her since she can't cheer for your goals" said Chris as all of them took a seat in the dressing room.

"No way. Until she apologise, I won't talk with her" replied Aaron.

"But, mate. She's your sister" said Chong.

"Then, she must support me when other veterans in both men and women team said that my opinion is doesn't matter just because I'm not 21 years old yet" replied Aaron.

"Don't you love her anymore?" asked Chris.

"At this point, who knows" replied Aaron. Later on, Solksjær came in to brief about his tactical for the 2nd half.

Later on;

The match resumed with Manchester United kicked off the 2nd half.

"C'mon, babe!" yelled Syd as her husband; Dom was sent in after the half time break to replace Akindele.

"Somebody is so happy here" said Ali.

"That's true. Lex, you okay?" asked Ashlynn.

"I am" replied Alex.

"Look, Lex. If you want to talk with your brother again, just go. We don't mind" said Ali.

"That's true. You both might have crisis but we're know it very well that you both love each other so much" said Ashlynn then.

"I won't. He's the one that cut the bond. Not me" replied Alex.

"Then, you want him to talk to you first?" asked Syd.

"That's what he should do" replied Alex.

"That's one thing that proves you both are siblings; stubborness" said Ali.

"Totally agreed" replied Ashlynn.

Later on;

It's 85th minute of the match where Manchester United is now 4-0 leads after Aaron and Lingard scored a goal each on the 2nd half. That moment, the ball is with Johnson. He tried to sent the ball to Muller only for Chong to intercept the pass and sent it to Aaron. Aaron then runs with the ball before dribbled through one after another of Orlando City's players until he reached the penalty box and runs straight to the goalkeeper. He then feinted to left before swung to the right before shoots into the net to give Manchester United a 5-0 leads.

"Seriously, he dribbled through 6 Orlando's players including the keeper. Is he always this good?" asked Ali.

"He is. That's why in the final of the Gold Cup, he was marked by all Mexico's defensive players everytime our boys are attacking" replied Alex.

"LA Galaxy must be regret for kicked him out just because of some personal issue. He has talent and dicipline of a top player after all" said Ashlynn.

"That's true. But, Aaron won't complain about it" said Syd.

"Well, soccer is his passion. Playing in the high level just made his passion grew more. That's why he's so frustrated when they failed to qualify to 2018 World Cup" replied Alex. Later on, the referee blew his whistle to end the match with the result; Manchester United 5-0 Orlando City.

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