Tiger King let out a sigh. This lineup needs a serious shake-up.
Scholes, watching from the sideline, knew that expression well. His captain-turned-coach was already planning the next move. He leaned over to Mike Phelan.
"He's figured something out again, hasn't he?" Scholes murmured.
Mike Phelan nodded. "You know him. Losing doesn't bother him as long as he learns something from it."
Friendly matches weren't just about results—they were about testing formations, refining tactics, and building chemistry. And with another match on the horizon, Scholes knew Tiger King was already plotting their next step.
Manchester United's next friendly match was set against Wigan Athletic. Though both clubs were based in Manchester, their relationship had always been amicable. Wigan had enjoyed a brief moment of glory last season by winning the FA Cup, but their poor league form led to relegation from the Premier League.
With the league opener approaching, Manchester United opted for a nearby opponent to minimize travel fatigue.
For this match, Tiger King made two key adjustments to his 4-4-2 formation. De Gea remained the undisputed choice in goal, while the backline saw changes—Vidic, nursing a minor injury, was replaced by Smalling, who partnered Ferdinand in central defense. Alonso and Rafael took their places as the full-backs. In midfield, Anderson was dropped, making way for a double pivot of Carrick and the tireless Kanté, with Giggs and Nani occupying the wings. Up front, Rooney and Van Persie led the attack once again.
Right from kickoff, Manchester United looked far more composed than in their previous outings. Smalling, now Tiger King's first-choice successor to the aging defensive duo, displayed poise and defensive awareness that even outshone the promising Van Dijk. His solid tackling and composure brought much-needed stability to the backline.
The midfield, too, underwent a transformation. In the last game, Anderson's reckless forward runs had left Carrick exposed, forcing the deep-lying playmaker to handle defensive duties alone—something outside his natural strengths. This time, with Kanté anchoring the midfield, Carrick had the freedom to dictate play from deep and push forward with confidence.
The impact was immediate. By halftime, Manchester United had taken a comfortable 2-0 lead. Van Persie continued his fine form with a well-placed finish, while Carrick capped off a composed performance with a stunning long-range strike from the edge of the box. Overcome with excitement, he pumped his fist in celebration before turning to embrace Kanté, who had quietly shielded the defense behind him.
In the second half, Tiger King rotated his squad, substituting most of the starters except for Kanté. The changes disrupted United's rhythm slightly, but Kanté's presence ensured they remained in control.
The match ended in a 2-0 victory—closing out Manchester United's preseason on a high note. Tiger King felt satisfied with the stability of his starting lineup and the depth of his bench.
But just a day later, unexpected news arrived. Two loan transfer requests had landed on his desk—both from Spain.
Woodward entered Tiger King's office and placed two loan applications on the desk.
"Take a look at these," he said, his tone carrying a hint of intrigue.
Tiger King picked up the first document, scanning it quickly. His eyebrows rose.
"Real Madrid?" he muttered. "They want to loan... Hernández?"
Tiger King leaned back in his chair, tapping the paper against the desk.
"Two million for the loan, with a 20 million buyout option?" He let out a low chuckle. "Real Madrid doesn't waste time, do they?"
Woodward nodded. "It's a serious offer. They see Hernández as a valuable backup striker, and with Benzema as their main man, they want depth."
Tiger King considered it for a moment, then reached for the second application. "And this one?"
Tiger King remained silent for a moment, carefully weighing the offers. Without giving an immediate response, he picked up the second application and read through it.
"This one is from..." He raised an eyebrow. "Atlético Madrid?"
Woodward confirmed with a nod. "Yes, they're asking to loan Smalling for a season, offering 2.5 million for the loan fee with an option to buy at 18 million euros."
Tiger King placed both applications on his desk and tapped his fingers thoughtfully. "Two Spanish clubs, two key players in our squad. What do you think, Ed?"
Woodward shrugged. "Hernández could get good exposure at Madrid, and Smalling would gain experience in La Liga. But letting both go? That would weaken our depth, especially in defense."
Tiger King leaned back in his chair, his fingers tapping lightly on the desk. He glanced at Woodward, a knowing smirk forming on his face.
"I know, you're fighting for the Triple Crown," Woodward said with a smile. "But the two backup forwards may be a big hindrance. Besides, Kagawa as a shadow striker and Martial are not in the first team yet. That said, the board is quite satisfied with their performances in the warm-up games."
Tiger King nodded slowly. "Kagawa is versatile, and Martial has potential, but neither is fully ready to lead the line if we lose Hernández. As for Smalling, we just saw how crucial he was in the Wigan match. If we let him go, our defense might take a hit."
Woodward leaned forward. "So, what's your call?"
Tiger King sighed. He knew there was logic to what Woodward was saying, but he wasn't convinced. "Even if we're considering transfers, we should consult the players. If they don't want to leave, we can't force them, right?"
Woodward smiled knowingly, as if he had anticipated this argument. "You don't have to worry about that. Both players have expressed their willingness to leave."
Tiger King's expression darkened. "Why do they want to leave? And why am I only hearing about this now? Did you speak to them behind my back?" His voice was rising, frustration evident.
Woodward raised his hands defensively. "It wasn't me. Their agents reached out to the club, making it clear that both players want to move. I wanted to inform you first before making any decisions."
Tiger King frowned, deep in thought. Smalling had performed well in the last friendly, and he was a strong candidate to replace the aging Ferdinand and Vidić. Losing him could weaken the defense.
Tiger King leaned back in his chair, drumming his fingers on the desk. The decision wasn't an easy one. The season was about to begin, and every squad change carried its own risks. He needed to make the right call.
Tiger King picked up his phone and dialed Hernandez's number. "Boss?" Hernandez answered, slightly surprised.
"I'll get straight to the point," Tiger King said. "I don't want you to leave. With you here, our tactics can be more flexible."
Hernandez chuckled. "I like how direct you are, boss. So let me be direct too—can you guarantee me a starting spot?"
Tiger King hesitated. "This..."
"Boss, if you promise me that, I'll stay. No questions asked," Hernandez pressed.
There was a long pause. Tiger King exhaled. "I can't promise that."
"That's what I thought," Hernandez said, his tone carrying more understanding than disappointment. "I respect that you didn't just tell me what I wanted to hear."
"Even if you go to Real Madrid, can you guarantee you'll start there? The competition at the Bernabéu is even tougher," Tiger King pointed out.
Hernandez chuckled again. "One is a guaranteed substitute role. The other is a fight for a starting spot. Which one do you think I should choose?"
Tiger King sighed. "I get it. But Real Madrid will have to buy you. We are not offering a loan, we are in need of funds."
"Thank you, boss. Really," Hernandez said sincerely. "I appreciate the honesty."
A few more words were exchanged before the call ended. Tiger King put down the phone, feeling a twinge of frustration. He had just lost Little Pea. But this was football—sometimes, no matter how much you want a player to stay, you have to let them go.
Tiger King then responded, "About Chicharito, we don't want the loan + buy option. Real Madrid must be willing to buy him directly. Whereas for Smalling, the deal should be a simple loan deal, no buyout clauses. If he has set his heart on leaving, then we cannot force him to stay. Plus, we have Toby Alderweireld, Van Dijk, and Phil Jones, and then Eric Bailly looking for chances."
Woodward nodded, taking in Tiger King's stance. "Alright, I'll get back to both clubs with our response."
Two days later, Hernandez was officially sold to Real Madrid for 20 million euros, while Smalling was loaned to Atlético Madrid for 2.5 million euros, with an 18 million euro buyout clause.
The transfers sparked mixed reactions from the media and fans—some praised the deals, while others questioned whether Manchester United had weakened their squad.
But Tiger King had no time to dwell on outside opinions. His first real test was just around the corner—the Community Shield on August 11. And fittingly, their opponents would be a familiar foe: Wigan Athletic, the very team they had just faced in a friendly match.