Chapter 81: Breakaway
David sat in the chair opposite Wayne Rooney, his heart pounding with a mix of excitement and nervousness. He had spent days mentally preparing for this moment—finally telling the man who had been his mentor and biggest supporter about his decision to leave Derby County.
Rooney’s sharp blue eyes bore into him, his expression unreadable. For a moment, the room was silent except for the faint hum of the air conditioner. Then Rooney leaned forward, his voice firm but calm.
"David," he began, "what’s all this I’m hearing about a transfer?"
David forced a smile, trying to stay optimistic. "Yeah," he said, nodding. "It’s true. I’ve decided to go. Manchester United... it’s a dream, Coach. I mean, you of all people know what that means."
Rooney’s brow furrowed slightly, but his tone remained measured. "I get that, David. Manchester United’s a big move. But what I don’t get is... why didn’t you come to me first? Why am I hearing this from the club instead of from you?"
David hesitated, suddenly feeling less confident. "Uh... I didn’t know how to say it," he admitted, avoiding Rooney’s gaze.
Rooney leaned back in his chair, folding his arms across his chest. "David, listen. I’m not going to tell you what to do. This is your career, your life. But you need to understand something—Manchester United isn’t the same club it was when I was there."
"What do you mean?" David asked, frowning.
"They’re in a bad spot right now," Rooney said bluntly. "The squad’s a mess, the board’s a mess. It’s not the same United that I played for under Sir Alex. Everything’s different."
David leaned forward, his voice rising slightly. "Come on, Coach. Look at you! Didn’t Manchester United help you become the player you are today? Even better than you were before?"
Rooney sighed, shaking his head. "It’s not the same, David. That United had Sir Alex Ferguson—a man who built a legacy, who knew how to turn talent into greatness. The United you’re talking about now... it’s not the same. Trust me on that."