Seeing every big club making major signings, and then looking at Tiger King's acquisitions—fifteen relatively unknown young players—many were beginning to question Manchester United's approach. The club had failed to secure deals for Icardi, Mario Gomez, and Negredo, leaving the squad without a proven striker. Without midfield reinforcements, critics believed the team lacked the strength to compete at the highest level.
During this period, The Sun journalist Wolf repeatedly published articles questioning Tiger King's Manchester United.
"I bet Mr. Tiger King will soon find himself back in charge of the youth team. If Sir Alex Ferguson saw the man he recommended dragging Manchester United into a relegation battle, I wonder what he'd think."
Other major newspapers, including The Daily Telegraph, The Times, and The Guardian, were also skeptical about United's prospects for the season.
"Manchester United should adjust their ambitions this season. Instead of 'defending the title,' they should aim for a top-four finish," wrote Daily Telegraph journalist Caroinke.
The Times reporter Leslie was even more blunt: "I believe the Manchester United board made a mistake with their choice. Even if they didn't go for Mourinho, Everton's David Moyes would have been a better option. He's spent years in the Premier League and has far more experience than Tiger King."
Meanwhile, The Guardian reporter Toyn was particularly ruthless: "Tiger King is showing his true colors as a former youth coach. Most of his signings are suited for the academy, not the first team. I'm starting to wonder if he's just preparing for his inevitable return to coaching youth football."
Tiger King saw these reports for the first time while leading the team back to England from their pre-season tour in Asia. He could not ignore the noise. As soon as they landed, he bought copies of all the major newspapers, flipped to the sports sections, and carefully read each criticism on the way back to Carrington.
That night, after weeks away from home, Tiger King finally sat down for dinner with his wife, Victoria, and their two children, David and Alexa. The kids hadn't seen their father in a long time, and they clung to him excitedly, unwilling to let go.
After dinner, Tiger King handed out the gifts he had brought back from Japan. He gave Alexa an oversized Doraemon plush toy, which she hugged tightly, her eyes sparkling with joy. For David, he had picked up a detailed space fortress model set—his son's face lit up instantly, and he eagerly started assembling the pieces right at the dinner table.
Tiger King sat with them, playing and chatting late into the night, making up for lost time. The room was filled with laughter, scattered toy parts, and the warmth of family.
Once the children had finally been coaxed to bed, he gently closed their door and made his way back to the bedroom. As he stepped inside, he was met with an unexpected sight—Victoria, dressed in delicate pink lingerie, waiting for him with a playful smile.
He paused for a moment, taking in the scene. The life of a football manager was intense, filled with pressure, tactics, and media scrutiny. But in moments like this, he was simply a man coming home to his wife.
Victoria raised an eyebrow. "Are you just going to stand there?"
Tiger King chuckled, shaking his head. This life isn't so bad after all…
The next morning, he left for work feeling refreshed, a rare thing after the hectic pre-season tour. As a manager, he often found himself buried in matches, transfers, and press conferences, leaving little time for his family. Thankfully, Victoria had chosen to step away from her career to focus on raising David and Alexa, ensuring their home life remained stable despite his demanding schedule.
When he first took on this life, he wasn't sure how he'd feel about the responsibilities of fatherhood. But over time, he had grown to love those two kids like his own. They were well-mannered, bright, and full of energy—traits that spoke to the way Victoria had raised them.
As he drove toward Carrington, sipping his morning coffee, Tiger King felt a quiet gratitude settle over him. Football was his passion, but his family? They were his foundation. And with them by his side, he was ready to take on whatever challenges lay ahead.