Football Dynasty-Chapter 549: Another United, Another Keane vs Gattuso

Another day passed, and before the derby match, Manchester City held an official press conference.

During the public announcement, club CEO Miss Heysen revealed that Manchester City’s U-17 team had signed a sponsorship agreement with the British company Umbro. Training kits and equipment for the reserve and youth teams will be supplied by Umbro.

This announcement has stunned English football and caught the attention of the entire European scene.

Manchester City’s lower-tier teams securing a sponsorship? When media conducted further research, they were dumbfounded to discover that the deal is for two years, worth £1 million per year!

This figure is already higher than the sponsorship fees for many lower-table Premier League teams.

Umbro’s commercial representatives are optimistic about this partnership. They believe that City’s success is attributed to their strong youth training program. Over the last two seasons, statistics showed that Manchester City’s youth and reserve teams attracted spectators at rates much higher than average.

Aside from City’s dedicated fans, other supporters were also interested in attending their matches, perhaps hoping to catch a glimpse of a future star before they made it big.

For example, their youth team won their first FA Youth Cup during Peter Swales’ tenure—not after Richard took over. Although they did not win any trophies in recent years, this was because many of their players were physically weaker due to age. Other teams tended to field mostly 17-year-olds and above, whereas City often relied on players under 17. Unexpectedly, they often won matches with large scorelines, such as 4–0 or 5–0.

This performance was a significant reason for Umbro’s investment. Moreover, the youth team would also face European heavyweights during their UEFA matches, further enhancing their profile. For example, after winning their first FA Youth Cup in 1990 during Peter Swales’ tenure, Manchester City’s youth team continued to improve after Richard took over.

Although they did not win any trophies in recent years, this was believed to be because many of their players were physically at a disadvantage due to their age. While they haven’t won recent trophies, this is largely because many of their players were physically younger than their opponents. Where other teams fielded mostly 17-year-olds or older, City relied heavily on players under 17. Despite this, they frequently recorded impressive scorelines like 4–0 or 5–0.

Such performances played a key role in Umbro’s decision to invest.

Manchester City’s ability to package both their reserve and youth teams so profitably was no small feat.

Other clubs envied them. Probably only powerhouses like Real Madrid, Barcelona, and Bayern Munich—renowned for their exceptional academies—could remain unfazed by this. However, based on current trends, everyone knew Manchester City could catch up to them. No, they would catch up. Speaking of improving performance, it’s clear that even skeptics couldn’t deny that Manchester City’s teams were playing at a high level.

Of course, not all reactions were positive. Some media outlets dismissed it as nonsense. What was most concerning, they argued, was the turmoil within these clubs, where senior teams fretted over performance pressures while youth sides were neglected.

Richard and the others were initially confused by these statements but decided to let them slide.

Richard remained resolute in his commitment to youth training. After four and a half years, he had established a solid framework. If the senior team continued to achieve success, it would also drive commercial revenue for both the reserve and youth squads.

He was ambitious, planning to double the Umbro sponsorship as Manchester City moved to a new stadium in two years. The club’s revenue would increase, a prospect Richard welcomed—even though the previous season’s profit report had already shown £14 million. This season, they expected to surpass £100 million.

Thanks to selling Buffon over the summer for more than £50 million, it could be said that this season made the club one of the most profitable. Naturally, year after year, despite rising player wages and costs, as long as the team maintained strong performance, the club’s finances would remain balanced—excluding transfer income.

"But that wouldn’t be enough—not by a long shot," Richard thought to himself.

The club’s current scale couldn’t fully tap into the vast consumer market. Once the new stadium was completed, however, the diversified commercial opportunities surrounding it would generate a substantial leap in revenue.

After announcing the new sponsorship deal, Richard turned his attention to the upcoming City Charity Cup. He began reviewing his agenda, carefully planning the logistics and strategy for the event.

He then called Miss Heysen to discuss the details.

"We have several proposals here; you can take a look at them," Miss Heysen said.

"Have you already curated the best ones?" Richard asked.

Miss Heysen nodded.

Richard then went through the proposals—some from Brazil, France, Spain, England, and several countries in Asia and Africa.

"Do you have a recommendation?" Richard asked.

Miss Heysen nodded again. "If I may suggest, it’s Japan."

"Japan?"

"Yes. Take a look at this." She helped Richard find the proposal from Japan and went through it together.

The Japan Football Association had proposed sending two teams: a U17 squad and a senior squad. The U17 team would play two friendly matches, while the senior squad would compete in the Toyota Cup, facing Yokohama Marinos, Verdy Kawasaki, Urawa Red Diamonds, and Kashima Antlers.

According to her, this plan was more than just a series of friendly matches. First, Manchester City had just opened their first merchandise store in Japan, and these events could serve as a catalyst for merchandise sales. Second, they could capitalize on the presence of Japanese stars like Nakata, building excitement among fans and attracting media attention. Third, it was an opportunity to strengthen international ties and showcase City’s emerging talent on a global stage, paving the way for even greater commercial and sporting success in the years to come.

This was her analysis, but Richard found merit in her explanation, so he agreed and allowed Miss Heysen to quickly follow up with the itinerary for the trip to Japan at the end of the season.

The next day, representatives from the Japan Football Association responded promptly. They had quickly reached an agreement, confirming the participation of both the U17 and senior squads and finalizing key details for the friendly matches and the Toyota Cup.

One of the main reasons Richard agreed was the remarkable progress Japanese football had made in recent years. By attracting high-profile, late-career stars, Japan had successfully boosted public interest, while quietly but steadily developing its youth training programs.

The two friendly matches might not have offered immediate competitive value, but their potential impact was undeniable. They could inspire young players, spark excitement among fans, and strengthen football’s presence in a growing market.

Behind the scenes, sponsors had played a pivotal role in making the connection possible. Initially, they had focused on arranging matches for City’s youth squads against European teams, believing that Japanese teams weren’t yet strong enough to offer a meaningful challenge and that such a trip would be more of a tourism exercise. But when the Japanese FA reached out with formal proposals—including sponsorship support—Richard recognized an opportunity too valuable to pass up.

By agreeing to the trip, he was not just sending his players to play matches; he was positioning Manchester City’s youth program on the international stage, creating commercial momentum, and forging relationships that could benefit the club for years to come.

The D-day had finally arrived: Manchester United versus Manchester City, League Cup quarterfinal.

Richard had spent the entire day in his office, immersed in working, so he arrived late, only making his way to the director’s box at Maine Road just as the match was underway.

But the moment he watched the game, he was dumbfounded.

A roar of astonishment erupted from Maine Road, then faded into complete silence. Everyone’s gaze turned toward the left wing of Manchester City’s half.

Richard saw Mourinho gesturing angrily to the fourth official, clearly unable to understand what had happened. But when he looked closer, he saw the player on the ground, clutching his leg and screaming in pain, one hand pounding the grass.

Richard’s eyes bulged.

Jonathan Woodgate!

You could see why Richard had signed him in the first place. The fact that Real Madrid had signed him was proof of how highly regarded he was beyond England’s shores.

Even at U-17 level alongside Terry, he carried himself on the pitch with a natural, shoulders-back authority. He was the kind of player who looked as if he was always in charge. When fit, he was a truly elegant defender—unlike many English centre-halves of the time, he was comfortable on the ball and capable of playing it out from the back. In many ways, he was ahead of his era.

Richard often said he was their best defender in years, and others also would readily agree. Watching him play, it was easy to see why he had been such a prized signing.

Richard stood up immediately, assessing the situation on the pitch.

Not far from Woodgate, Manchester United’s Roy Keane had just gotten to his feet and was moving closer when a sudden shove sent him sprawling to the ground.

He turned around, ready to curse—but before he could say anything, Gattuso was on him in an instant, pushing Keane back with raw intensity, his face inches from the United captain’s.

"You were going for his legs, eh? Ma che cazzo!" he shouted, eyes blazing. "If you want to play football, then gioca! But if you’re gonna play rough, you won’t find anyone taking that here! And if your team doesn’t want to play but just wants to fight, allora andiamo nel parcheggio! Those who don’t show up? Vaffanculo, insieme ai vostri maledetti Irons!"

Of course, Roy Keane—though he didn’t fully understand every word—knew he had been cursed at badly.

His face twisted in fury. "Fuck you!" he barked, stepping forward and headbutting Gattuso.

Keane shoved; Gattuso shoved back.

The incident ignited the players around them. United surged forward to protect their teammate, and City’s players rushed in to back their own. The tension crackled—one wrong move, and it could erupt into full-scale chaos.

Even Paul Robinson and Peter Schmeichel had already sprinted onto the pitch, joining the confrontation. Zambrotta darted toward Woodgate, shielding him from further harm, and barked at the approaching physio, Dave Fevre: "Hurry up!"

From the director’s box, Richard watched the scene unfold, stunned. Miss Heysen hurried to his side, her expression grave, covering her mouth to relay what had just happened.

Manchester United pressed high, but Gary Neville hesitated, and Ashley Cole intercepted the ball before Neville could pass to Pirlo.

Pirlo, in his usual style, slowed the tempo slightly, trying to control the ball. But Giggs immediately pressed him, forcing Pirlo to play it back to Woodgate.

Keane, already seething with aggression, charged in like a man possessed, lunging at the ball with a vicious tackle. Woodgate jumped to evade it—but Keane’s foot came up, smashing directly into his knee.

Richard’s heart skipped a beat.

PHWEEEEE~

The referee’s whistle blew sharply, halting play, but the tension didn’t dissipate.

At that moment, Mourinho was angry. One of his players had been maliciously targeted, and he couldn’t contain his fury.

The Manchester City bench had emptied as players and staff rushed onto the pitch, converging on the scene. All eyes were locked on Keane and Gattuso, the sparks flying between them threatening to ignite a full-blown brawl.

The referee and linesmen acted quickly, stepping between the two and managing to hold them apart, but the tension was electric. They then sprinted to the sidelines, calling for support to help restore order and alert the stewards and police.

PHWEEEE~

Without saying a word, the referee brandished his red cards, sending Keane and Gattuso off the pitch.

The decision set off another explosion. Baltema Brito, who had been holding Mourinho back, snapped. He stormed up to the referee, clenching his teeth, his voice shaking with fury: "What kind of decision is this? Why is Gattuso sent off too? WHY?!"

The situation had completely flipped. The normally calm and composed him was now the one raging, being held back, while the fourth official positioned himself in front of him, warning him not to act irrationally.

The sidelines quickly spiraled into chaos. Players and staff shouted, jostled, and gestured, their frustration boiling over.

Being pushed by Baltema Brito, the referee had no choice but to issue him a red card as well.

PHWEEEE~

Red card!

The moment the card hit, it seemed to snap Baltema Brito back to reality—but before he could respond, Mourinho himself tried to intervene. Though pulled back, he continued angrily denouncing the referee’s decision, and to his shock, he too was shown a red card.

From the director’s box, Richard watched the pandemonium unfold below. He let out a sarcastic clap in the direction of the referee, masking his disbelief. But his attention quickly shifted when he saw Woodgate being carried off the pitch on a stretcher, stretchered tightly, grimacing in pain.

This time, he truly lost his cool.

"Fuck! I hope it’s not a broken leg!"