On the bus ride back from their victory over Swansea, Tiger King sat quietly, lost in thought. The usual post-match chatter filled the air, but he remained deep in contemplation.
Noticing this, assistant coach Mike Phelan called out, "Tiger, why so quiet? Are you unhappy with the game?"
At his words, the bus suddenly fell silent. Every player turned toward the front, eyes fixed on their manager, waiting for his response.
Tiger King turned to them with a smile. "I was just thinking about something… whether to give you one or two days off."
"Two days, Boss! No question about it!"
"You're the best, Boss!"
Excitement erupted among the squad as cheers and laughter filled the bus. Without hesitation, Tiger King announced a well-earned two-day break, instructing everyone to return to training the day after tomorrow.
The players roared in celebration, reveling in the double joy of their commanding victory and a well-deserved holiday.
The reason why Tiger King gave the players two days off was not only because of their victory but also because the second round of the Premier League was still 10 days away. This break allowed them to enjoy one last moment of relaxation before the intense fixtures ahead.
Meanwhile, the lower divisions of English football were in full swing. The first two rounds of the League Cup had been played, with many teams delivering thrilling performances to secure their spots in the third round.
On August 20, the draw of the English League Cup for the 2013-2014 season was held in the FA's press conference hall. In this draw, many Premier League teams avoided facing fellow top-flight clubs and were instead matched against lower-league opponents. However, the most surprising result of the draw immediately caught everyone's attention, sparking discussions across the footballing world.
On September 25, 2013, Manchester United will host Liverpool at Old Trafford in the third round of the League Cup! This unexpected draw shocked many and fueled speculation about the FA's intentions.
In recent years, interest in the League Cup has steadily declined. Many Premier League clubs, prioritizing the Premier League and Champions League, have fielded weakened squads or even disregarded the competition altogether. As a result, the League Cup has gradually been seen as an afterthought—a competition of little significance to the top clubs.
Aware of this decline, the FA has been looking for ways to boost interest in the tournament. Increased attention means higher advertising revenue, so the governing body has been eager to make the competition more appealing.
Last season, the League Cup quarter-final between Chelsea and Manchester United ended in a thrilling 5-4 encounter, showcasing an exhilarating brand of attacking football that had fans on the edge of their seats. Now, with Manchester United and Liverpool facing off as early as the third round, suspicions have arisen regarding the fairness of the draw.
However, the FA firmly denied any interference, stating, "The draw is absolutely fair, impartial, and transparent!"
Regardless of the circumstances, Tiger King is now set to face Liverpool. But rather than being apprehensive, he is delighted. If there is any team that Tiger King relishes defeating, it is undoubtedly Liverpool. The rivalry between Manchester United and Liverpool runs deep, and since Sir Alex Ferguson's era, tensions between the two clubs have only intensified. As a devoted disciple of Ferguson, Tiger King harbors a fierce loyalty to Manchester United and an equally strong animosity toward their fiercest rivals.
In truth, this fierce rivalry is not just a personal matter for Tiger King—it runs through the very fabric of Manchester United.
While still reveling in the excitement of the League Cup clash against Liverpool, Tiger King was about to face an even more crucial event—the UEFA Champions League group stage draw. Scheduled for August 23 in Monaco, France, the draw would determine Manchester United's European campaign.
Initially, club CEO Ed Woodward had planned to travel alongside Tiger King, but an unexpected fever left the manager bedridden. Unable to make the trip, he had no choice but to let Woodward attend the draw alone.
Confined to his home for the day, Tiger King entrusted Mike Phelan and Paul Scholes with overseeing training, while he took much-needed rest.
Victoria cared for him attentively, ensuring he took his medication and drank warm soup. Meanwhile, David and Alexa played quietly in the living room, making sure not to disturb their father. At noon, the two children brought him fresh fruit, pizza, and milk, their thoughtfulness deeply moving him.
By evening, Tiger King's fever had subsided, filling him with relief. With the demanding schedule ahead, falling ill at such a crucial time was far from ideal.
That night, as the family gathered for a peaceful dinner, Tiger King finally felt at ease. Afterward, he settled on the couch, watching the live broadcast of the UEFA Champions League group stage draw—an event that would shape the road ahead for Manchester United.
Who would be Manchester United's opponents in the group stage?
Tiger King was full of anticipation. He feared no group of death, nor did he concern himself with the strength of his opposition. His goal was clear—to conquer Europe. He was ready to take on every European powerhouse, stepping over them on the road to Champions League glory.
After an hour, Tiger King turned off the TV. He glanced at his laptop, where he had recorded the groupings, and couldn't help but smile.
This draw was fascinating.
Manchester United, the top seed in Group A, would face Bayer Leverkusen, Shakhtar Donetsk, and Real Sociedad. With the quality of his squad, Tiger King felt confident that topping the group would not be a challenge.
Group B was headlined by Real Madrid, with Galatasaray, Juventus, and FC Copenhagen completing the lineup. The battle between Real Madrid and Juventus would be the highlight of this group.
Group C saw Paris Saint-Germain as the top seed, drawn alongside Olympiacos, Benfica, and Anderlecht. The French giants had received a favorable draw.
In Group D, Bayern Munich was pitted against Manchester City, Viktoria Pizeň, and CSKA Moscow. The clash between the reigning Bundesliga champions and the rising force of the Premier League promised an exciting contest.
Group E featured Chelsea, Schalke 04, Basel, and Steaua Bucharest. Chelsea's qualification seemed likely, but the remaining teams would fight hard for the second spot.
Group F was a spectacle, with Borussia Dortmund, Arsenal, Napoli, and Marseille making up a group filled with fast-paced, technical football.
Group G had Atlético Madrid, Zenit St. Petersburg, Porto, and Austria Wien. Atlético's path to qualification appeared smooth.
Finally, Group H included Barcelona, AC Milan, Ajax, and Celtic. The battle between Barcelona and Milan would be a highlight for fans worldwide.
This season's Champions League was shaping up to be an electrifying competition.