Manchester United's heir apparent, but can't play football.

Chapter 130: The Return, the Dawn of Dream Theater!
The afternoon sun at four o'clock swept obliquely across the Trafford railroad tracks as a freight train rumbled past behind the pub.

Dave's glass was still foamy at the bottom as he swiped his finger across Manchester United's official Twitter account on his phone screen, then suddenly looked bewildered. A red picture and the words "Li Luo, officially returning to Old Trafford" appeared abruptly.

"My God, old friend!"

He suddenly jumped up from the wooden stool.

"It's official! It's really official! Our Crown Prince is finally back!"

Old Tony, who was watching a rerun of "Manchester United's Glorious Moments" on TV, was the only one in the pub when he heard this, and his pipe fell onto the tablecloth with a "thud".

Dave slapped his phone on the bar, and another photo appeared on the screen: Li Luo shaking hands and hugging the Manchester United management at the airport.

"They're back!"

"Fuck you, I've been checking transfer news every day lately, feeling incredibly anxious, always worried that something unexpected might happen!"

"I'm really afraid he'll be sold to another club! There have been too many outrageous things happening in the world of football!"

"Thank goodness, God help us!"

"Li has finally returned!"

Crash.

The entire bar erupted in cheers.

A little boy wearing a Manchester United jersey clung to the edge of the bar, gently shaking his father's arm: "Dad, if Lee returns to Old Trafford, what number jersey will he wear?"

Without hesitation, the middle-aged man blurted out with a matter-of-fact expression, "Of course it's number 7!"

The little boy asked in confusion, "But...shouldn't a talented midfielder like Li wear the number 10 jersey?"

The middle-aged man sighed and began to patiently explain: "No, no, no, the number 7 for the Red Devils doesn't refer to a tactical role. Tell me, what tactical role did Cantona play? This number has nothing to do with tactical roles."

"This number carries too many legends: George Best, Robson, Cantona, Beckham, Cristiano Ronaldo. They are not only the core of the team, but also defined the different qualities of this number on the green field."

"Red Devil No. 7 has produced iconic figures who have amazed the world in every era of the past!"

"The most dazzling part of the Red Devils culture is not just a number, but a legendary symbol."

"Many Manchester United fans will feel regret and disappointment if Lee does not wear the number 7 jersey."

"He will make this number great again."

Bar owner Jimmy rushed over, still holding a freshly wiped glass, his apron still on: "Hurry up! Turn the stereo up, play the team anthem! And find that clip of Li Luo's Premier League debut goal from last year!"

Dave then remembered the photo hidden in the corner of the pub. It was a photo he had cut out of the Manchester Evening News two years ago when Li Luo scored seven goals in a single game for the youth team. Later, when Li Luo left on loan, he specially used transparent tape to stick the poster behind the liquor cabinet. Now, he had to stand on a stool to pull it down, and the creases at the corners were still clearly visible. The headline "Manchester United Crown Prince" on it was exhilarating.

Another train whistled past the window, but this time no one paid any attention; the cheers from the tavern even drowned out the sound of the train tracks.

Manchester United's crown prince is about to return to the red embrace of Old Trafford.

During the summer transfer window, clubs are actively engaged in signing and transferring players.

England's rising star Raheem Sterling joins Manchester City for €5800 million.

Barcelona's "magic weapon" Pedro joins Chelsea for €5700 million.

Serie A rising star Paulo Dybala joins Juventus for €3200 million.

"."

Followed by.

An unremarkable news headline overshadowed all other transfer news.

"Loan period ends, Li Luo returns to Manchester United."

Old Trafford Stadium.

Player tunnel.

Click!

Click!

The sound of camera shutters was as dense as a sudden downpour. Reporters stretched their lenses forward, their breathing rapid. Everyone knew that they were about to witness a historic moment, a moment that had already dominated the trending topics online: "The Return of the Red Devil Crown Prince."

When Li Luo finally appeared in the frame, all the light in the room suddenly found its direction and converged on him.

He didn't need to deliberately walk at the front; he seemed to be enveloped by an invisible gravitational force, easily drawing all eyes to him and turning the surrounding crowd, cameras, and even the shadows on the corridor walls into a blurred backdrop.

The walls on both sides are decorated with various Red Devil-themed ornaments.

Accompanied by an uplifting melody.

The light at the exit of the passage grew even brighter, as if awaiting the signature of a legend.

Number 7!
Red Devil No. 7 has finally welcomed the rightful successor of this era.

Li Luo remained calm.

But in my heart I was thinking: The Manchester United management is making such a big show of it, it's like they're making me the groom.
The moment Li Luo stepped out of the tunnel, the cheers in the Dream Theater erupted instantly. Like a mountain collapsing, like a tsunami, the air in the entire stadium seemed to tremble.

Countless fireworks streaked into the night sky with golden and red trails of flame, while the booming of cannons and cheers merged into a boiling wave. Cameras in 144 countries around the world focused on this moment simultaneously: this was not an ordinary return, but the opening ceremony of a new chapter for Manchester United.

Manchester United's management team went to great lengths to welcome the Crown Prince's return, organizing an exceptionally grand welcoming ceremony.

A huge red stage has been set up on the green field.

The eyes of more than 80,000 spectators followed the steps of the Red Devil Crown Prince.

Step onto the stage.

Li Luo, along with Van Gaal and Ed Woodward, unfurled the team flag. Thunderous applause erupted.

The commotion quickly subsided, and tens of thousands of people at the scene seemed to be anticipating something.
Li Luo took the microphone, beaming, and said, "I'm back."

The sound carried by the night wind to every corner of Old Trafford.

In an instant, the cheers at Old Trafford surged, as if the words contained an inspiring power, making countless fans eagerly anticipate how far the returned youth academy prodigy would lead Manchester United in the new season.
The stadium DJ was ecstatic, shouting: "The midfield maestro of Germany's treble-winning glory - Li Luo!!! Our crown prince has officially returned to Manchester United!!!"

An LED screen suspended in mid-air is playing a documentary about the return to the past.

Scene after scene evoked a complex mix of emotions:
In his former Premier League debut, Li Luo scored a header to equalize against Swansea.

The Veltins-Arena, the familiar silhouette of the Red Devils, the familiar curved sword;

That breathtaking arc at the top of Asia;

The credits then cut back to the live broadcast of this moment: the Manchester United heir returning home in triumph.
Under the watchful eyes of the world.

The Dream Theater was packed with people.

A glimmer of hope has arrived.

The CTV5 live broadcast room was filled with comments.
-
[Li Luo looks so handsome in a Manchester United jersey!]
-
Husband~
-
[The Prince of Dream Theater.]
-
[I've wanted to say this for a while now. Wolfsburg's home kit last season was way too effeminate; Manchester United's kit now has a more normal aesthetic.]
-
Thankfully, it's Li Luo wearing the number 7 jersey. Old Van Gaal had previously said he wanted to buy 'Black Depay' so that the selfish bastard would wear number 7.
-
Thankfully, the landing was smooth and there were no unexpected incidents. A safe return is possible.
-
[Those toilet paper tabloids were spreading rumors that I might not return to Manchester United, which kept my brother up at night. He even said he wanted to send someone to bomb those newspaper offices!]
-
The camera focuses on Sir Alex Ferguson, a calm smile on his face. The camera then pans down, revealing him trembling with excitement.
-
Li Luo's Manchester United first-team career has officially begun!

The reunification ceremony has concluded.

The pomp and circumstance were not wasted, as there were also official signing ceremonies for several players.

Maranda arrived at the press conference venue under the guidance of staff.

Wearing the red jersey and facing a barrage of cameras, he couldn't help but feel a little nervous; he had never received this kind of treatment at Wolfsburg before.

A male reporter asked, "Maranda, why did you choose Manchester United? When you were a child..."

"Do not."

Little Black Egg sat up straight: "Passing the ball to Li was the most wonderful moment of my career."

"My dream is to play football with Lee."

clap clap clap!
The applause was thunderous and lasted for a long time!
These two sentences struck a chord with Manchester United's mouthpiece media.

The reporters wrote furiously.

The Crown Prince's Loyal Deputy: Maranda.

Van Gaal and His Friday.

"Robinson and Friday's relationship is somewhat incompatible. Let's cross out the second title!"

After a while.

De Bruyne appeared in the auditorium.

The reporters were astonished: the Belgian prodigy seemed to have gained weight, especially in his glutes and legs, and was starting to look more and more like Hazard.

The male reporter couldn't help but praise, "Kevin, in just two months, your physique looks like it's adapted to the Premier League."

De Bruyne's cheeks flushed slightly as he said, "I've gained 8 kilograms."

As he spoke, he touched his shoulders, hips, and legs, explaining the function of these muscle groups to the reporters.

"I will readjust to the Premier League."

"I wonder if the Premier League can adapt to Li."

clap clap clap!
Applause started again.

The media reporters and fan representatives were increasingly pleased as they listened.

In the corner, Morata, dressed casually and having completed the joining ceremony some time in advance, couldn't help but open his mouth in surprise: these two guys from Wolfsburg were better at the art of conversation than he was.

Li Luo didn't rest. As soon as the return ceremony ended, Lao Fan and Giggs invited him to the conference room.

The technical team members all stood up in unison.

"Li, we will cherish the opportunity to experiment and work together during the preseason."

"First, we want to try the 4-1-4-1 formation to see if it can become the main framework for next season."

Li Luo took the draft paper.

It's a large-scale tactic!
He examined it carefully for a long time.

The coaching staff looked excited and eagerly awaited the midfield maestro's opinion.

"Where am I? Why isn't my name and number on it?"

"Sorry, I made a mistake."

The staff member quickly handed over another tactical draft: "Manchester United's tactical deployment is very detailed, down to the running range of each player, where they can make a long pass, and in which areas they can make a short pass."

Van Gaal's face flushed red, and he was itching to make a move.

Why do I say he's a bit abnormal? This guy's past coaching experience is quite interesting: once in the locker room, he was yelling at the players. While yelling, he suddenly took off his pants and said: "I'm a man with guts, do you have guts?"
It’s different in the past.

He can't do that at Manchester United; he has to maintain his dignity!

He waved his hand to interrupt:
"Ahem! We need to learn from Blackgold. Tactics don't need to be too detailed or complicated. A 4-1-4-1 formation, with Li orchestrating the midfield, will allow Manchester United to control the game! Freedom, you understand?"

(End of this chapter)