My Ultimate Gacha System

Chapter 368 43: The Simulation

4:55 PM — Role-Play: Manchester United Simulation

After the break Marco shifted into a different character and this time he was Darren Fletcher, and his energy was different from the Liverpool role-play—slightly more direct, more emphasis on United's specific situation rather than broader football philosophy.

"Demien, great to meet you properly," Marco-as-Fletcher said. "I'm Darren Fletcher, technical director here at United. Erik will join us shortly. Before we start, I just want to say—Monday night at Old Trafford, in our stadium, in front of our fans, two goals. You couldn't have scripted a better audition for this meeting."

The opening was more direct than Liverpool's had been, and Demien stayed quiet this time having learned to let the pitch develop.

"Manchester United is in a rebuild phase and we're not hiding from that reality," Marco-as-Fletcher continued. "Erik has implemented a clear philosophy since arriving—high press, possession-based football, technical midfielders who can both defend and create. You tick every box for what we're looking for. The question isn't whether you fit our system, it's whether we fit your ambitions."

Pause. Demien nodded but didn't speak yet.

"United's midfield needs reinforcement," Marco-as-Fletcher said. "Casemiro is thirty-one, brilliant but we need to plan for succession. Eriksen is thirty-one, same situation. Bruno is our captain and our creative leader but he needs support around him, someone who can share the creative burden. We see you as someone who can play alongside Bruno initially, learn from him, then potentially grow into a more central role as you develop physically and tactically."

Marco stopped and broke character. "Your turn now."

"Where do you see me fitting tactically?" Demien asked.

"We see you as an eight, occasionally as a ten depending on opposition setup," Marco-as-Fletcher responded. "You'd rotate with Mason Mount initially since Mount just signed this summer, and potentially with Scott McTominay depending on whether Scott stays at the club. We're also looking at another midfielder target, so competition for places will be genuine and healthy. Erik believes competition brings the best out of players."

Demien pressed on development pathway for year one specifically.

"Heavy pre-season involvement is guaranteed," Marco-as-Fletcher said. "You'll be with the first team from day one of training. Europa League matches are guaranteed because we need you there—that's fifty-plus matches across all competitions and we need squad depth to handle that. Premier League minutes will build gradually throughout the season. Erik rotates more than people think based on opponent analysis and fixture congestion. You will play, how much depends on form and fitness. But Old Trafford would be your home stadium if you choose United, and that matters for development and confidence."

That last line was an emotional appeal rather than tactical information, and Marco was showing how clubs mixed facts with feeling to make their pitch compelling.

They continued the simulation and Marco-as-Fletcher emphasized United's commercial power and global platform, mentioned the club's history of developing young players like Ronaldo and Rooney and Rashford, talked about Ten Hag's track record at Ajax with youth development.

Everything was designed to make Demien feel like United was the right place for his specific development needs.

Marco broke character at five-thirty. "That's enough role-play. You're getting the fundamental idea of how these meetings flow."

"They felt similar in structure," Demien said.

"They will be similar because both clubs want you, both have good pitches to make, and both will try to make you feel like the priority signing," Marco said. "The differences will be in tone, emphasis, and specific tactical details. Your job is to listen carefully and distinguish between what sounds good versus what is actually good for your development."

He checked his watch. "We need to wrap up soon because you need to rest before tomorrow's preparation continues. But before we finish—one critical point."

Marco's tone became serious.

"Don't commit to anything in either meeting," he said. "Not even verbally, not even casually. Both clubs will try to gauge your preference. Your response to everything should be that you're grateful for their interest, you need time to consider everything carefully with your family and representatives, and you'll make your decision by the deadline you've agreed to. Give nothing away."

"Understood," Demien said.

"Good," Marco said. "We'll meet again tomorrow morning at nine to go over final preparation details and potential curveball questions. Meeting ends now."

They stood and shook hands and Demien left at five forty-five while the London evening was still light outside.

Demien's Hotel Room — Kings Cross

7:30 PM

Demien returned to his hotel room at six-thirty and ordered room service because going out to eat meant potential recognition and unnecessary complication, and by seven he was eating grilled chicken and vegetables and pasta at the desk while both contract folders sat in his bag untouched.

He'd read them enough times. The numbers were in his head. More reading wouldn't clarify anything.

His phone buzzed with a text from Sophia: How did prep go? You okay?

He replied: Long day. Both offers are good. Makes it harder not easier.

Her response came quickly: That's good though. Means you can't make a wrong choice. Just different choices.

He read that twice and she was right—neither option was wrong, they were just different paths that led to different futures.

He didn't call her because talking through the decision out loud when it was still too close and too unformed wouldn't help, and he needed to sit with it quietly before articulating what he was thinking.

At eight he opened his laptop and searched for Liverpool tactical analysis videos, and he watched twenty minutes of Klopp's system broken down—the aggressive pressing triggers, the quick transitions, the overlapping fullbacks, the central midfielders operating in half-spaces.

He studied where an eight operated in Liverpool's structure and watched clips of Curtis Jones and Harvey Elliott moving in those positions, and he tried to visualize himself doing the same things with the same freedom and the same responsibility.

He closed that tab and opened Manchester United tactical analysis, and he watched fifteen minutes of Ten Hag's system—the possession-based buildup, the positional rotations, the higher defensive line than previous United teams had used.

He watched clips of Bruno Fernandes operating and how Mason Mount might fit and where a creative eight would function in this setup, and he tried to visualize himself in that system with those teammates in that stadium.

Both systems suited his profile. Both would develop him. Both had world-class managers.

The tactics didn't make the decision clearer.

He closed the laptop at nine-fifteen and lay back on the bed staring at the ceiling while the weight of what was coming hit him fully for the first time with nothing else to distract from it.

Thursday he sat across from Jürgen Klopp and Julian Ward at the Rosewood Hotel. Friday he sat across from Erik ten Hag and Darren Fletcher at Manchester United's London office. Monday he chose one and said no to the other.

This decision would define the next five years minimum, possibly his entire career trajectory if it went right or wrong.

He was nineteen years old. Six months ago he'd been ready to quit football after Fiorentina rejected him. Now he was choosing between Liverpool and Manchester United.

The speed of the rise made trusting his own judgment harder because everything had happened so fast that there'd been no time to develop the experience that usually informed decisions this significant.

He turned off the lamp at ten and lay in the darkness staring at the ceiling where shadows from the street lights created patterns that shifted when cars passed outside.

No easy answers. No clear path. Just two good options and the weight of choosing between them.

Sleep came slowly but eventually his body's exhaustion overrode his mind's activity and consciousness faded into fragments of dreams about tactics boards and contract numbers and stadiums he hadn't played in yet.

Wednesday, June 21, 2023

Rosewood Hotel — Room 512

9:00 AM

Wednesday morning Demien met Marco again in the same hotel room and Marco had coffee ready with a fresh notepad showing scenarios written in clean handwriting, and he directed Demien to sit before beginning without preamble.

"Two hours on curveball questions and responses," Marco said. "Then you have the afternoon free to rest before Thursday's meeting. We start now."

He began throwing scenarios without pause between them.

"What if Liverpool asks where United's offer stands?"

"Politely decline to discuss other clubs' offers," Demien said. "Say I'm treating each meeting independently."

"Good. What if Klopp asks directly if you want to play for Liverpool?"

"Express genuine appreciation for their interest. Say I'm impressed by their vision. But I need to complete all meetings before making any decision."

"Better. What if United asks if you're worried about competing with Mount for minutes?"

Demien thought. "Healthy competition makes everyone better. I'm confident in my ability to earn minutes through performance."

"Solid. What if Ten Hag asks what your biggest weakness is?"

"Adapting to Premier League physicality will take time," Demien said. "But I've shown I can handle elite pressing in Serie A and with England, so I'm confident in the adjustment period."

"Good answer because it acknowledges a real concern while showing you've already succeeded against similar challenges."

Marco continued throwing scenarios for the next hour—some straightforward, some designed to fluster or force preference revelation, and Demien's responses improved as the practice continued and the patterns became clearer.

At ten-thirty Marco called for a break and asked if Demien had any questions about logistics or timing or anything practical.

"What should I wear?" Demien asked.

"Suit, conservative tie, clean shoes," Marco said. "Professional but not flashy. You're nineteen—you should look like a serious young professional, not like you're trying too hard. The suit says you respect the meeting. The conservative choices say you're not here to show off."

They resumed at ten forty-five and spent thirty minutes on body language and tone—don't slouch, make eye contact, lean forward slightly when managers speak to show engagement, don't check your phone even if it buzzes, don't fidget, smile when appropriate but don't force it.

Be yourself but be the most professional version of yourself.

At eleven-fifteen Marco said they were done and his tone shifted from instructor to supporter.

"Spend the afternoon resting," he said. "Don't think about the meetings too much. Eat a proper dinner. Get good sleep tonight. Tomorrow at one-thirty PM I'll meet you at your hotel and we'll take a car together to the Rosewood where Liverpool's meeting is scheduled for two PM."

They shook hands and Demien thanked him for the preparation.

"This is what I'm paid for," Marco said. "More importantly, this is my job to make sure you make an informed decision without being manipulated by either club's pitch. The rest is up to you."

Demien left the Rosewood and walked back to his hotel through London streets that were busier than yesterday with tourists and business people and the general activity of a Wednesday afternoon in the city.

Wednesday afternoon and evening were his own time.

Tomorrow the meetings began.