"Hey man, why do you look like we're heading to our funeral?"
Alessandro Dybala casually leaned over to Januzaj, speaking English with a slight but noticeable accent.
Januzaj furrowed his brows, struggling to piece together the words.
"Isn't it obvious?" Januzaj replied. "Do you even know how good those guys are? They're not just older—they're the defending FA Youth Cup champions!"
Alessandro shrugged. "So what?"
He gave Januzaj a firm pat on the shoulder. "Just watch."
Januzaj looked confused. "You gonna score against them?"
Alessandro grinned. "Not me. You are."
"Me?" Januzaj blinked, pointing at himself. "How would I even get a shot off? We're gonna be parked in our own half the whole game!"
"Counterattack," Alessandro replied confidently. "Just get ready—I'll find you after I win the ball."
"Huh?"
Januzaj couldn't figure out where this sudden confidence was coming from. But Alessandro's calm demeanor… it was unnerving. Like he knew something everyone else didn't.
"Who are you really?" Januzaj muttered under his breath.
Alessandro smirked. "Main midfielder of the national Olympic team."
Well… almost, he added silently.
Januzaj's eyes widened slightly. Even if his country's football wasn't world-class, starting for an Olympic team at 17 was no joke—especially as a defensive midfielder.
And for a striker like Januzaj? That was the perfect teammate. Someone who wouldn't steal the spotlight, but would steal the ball.
Suddenly, Januzaj began to believe.
Maybe—just maybe—they could do something today.
And with a common goal forming, Alessandro started to seem a lot more likeable.
---
Bincer, watching from the sidelines, scribbled a quick note onto Alessandro's evaluation report:
"Extroverted. Communicates naturally with teammates."
---
Since this was an internal training match, there were no spectators.
A few academy coaches acted as match officials, with U19 head coach Warren Joyce serving as the main referee. The others filled in as linesmen and assistants.
McGuinness and Bincer chose not to referee—instead, they stood to the side, watching intently.
This game was a test. No fitness drills or technical assessments could match real match performance.
Some players might ace the lab tests—quick, agile, skilled on paper—but freeze on the field. Those players didn't last.
Under McGuinness's focused gaze, the match kicked off.
And as expected, U19 dominated immediately, pressing high and pushing into the final third.
Pogba and Lingard were in sync. Their passing rhythm, positioning, and coordination kept U18 on the back foot.
Pogba stopped the ball with a calm touch, facing the defender. His whole body moved like liquid—shoulder feints, hips twisting, sharp glances. Talent oozed from every movement.
The coaches on the sidelines couldn't help but smile.
Everyone believed Pogba would become the core of Manchester United's midfield in the near future.
But out on the field, Alessandro stood firm.
Focused.
Eyes locked.
He felt the [Max-Level Anticipation] System kick in again.
As soon as Pogba got the ball, Alessandro predicted his next move.
Breakthrough attempt incoming.
Alessandro moved preemptively, positioning himself perfectly to block the lane. If Pogba tried to dribble, he'd run straight into him.
From the touchline, McGuinness's eyes lit up.
"Great positioning."
He murmured, impressed.
Pogba noticed the obstruction but didn't give it much thought. He glanced around and quickly spotted Lingard making a run.
Time to pass.
---
"It's coming… He's going to Lingard!"
Alessandro saw it.
He didn't just see it—he felt it.
Like he could see the future.
Every movement Pogba made, Alessandro read it like an open book.
The moment Pogba released the ball, Alessandro sprang forward like a shot, surging into the passing lane just as the ball left Pogba's boot.
Intercepted.
"Brilliant!" McGuinness clapped, nearly tearing his cap off.
Some might've blamed Pogba for a sloppy pass—but McGuinness saw the truth.
Alessandro's positioning had forced Pogba to abandon the dribble.
Then, he'd read the passing lane perfectly and made the interception.
Two defensive actions, back-to-back—both decisive.
"He's a natural," McGuinness muttered, turning to Bincer. "That's instinct. Can't teach that."
Bincer nodded in agreement. "We've got something special here."
They exchanged a relieved glance.
Thank God they didn't let him go.
A true defensive midfielder—a Makelele-type—was priceless in any team.
And United? They hadn't had a real midfield enforcer since Roy Keane retired.
If Alessandro kept this up, he could reach the first team even faster than Pogba.
McGuinness felt it in his bones.
He didn't just find a player.
He'd found a treasure.
---