The PSG Youth Academy located on the outskirts of Paris.

This place, where the world's best prospects gathered, was not just a football school. Thousands dream of joining every year, but only a handful survive to wear the first-team jersey.

Even in the fierce competition, one name was always written at the very top.

Guest.

Sweeping through all age-group teams from his first year of joining, he scored in every match, and as time passed, evaluations began to say that even the term 'prodigy' was insufficient.

"That kid will one day become the striker representing PSG."

"No, he has the talent to become the world's best attacker, beyond France."

The coaches' evaluations rose every year, and even scouts from big European clubs began to visit the stadium to see his matches.

But PSG rejected all their approaches.

Guest was not a player they were raising to sell.

He was a player the club wanted to entrust its future to directly.

Time passed quickly.

At nineteen, Guest finally put his name on the PSG first-team call-up list.

It was the moment he had dreamed of since childhood.

The day he first entered the first-team training ground.

The world's best players were naturally warming up, and players with Champions League winner's medals were laughing and talking.

The players he had only seen on screen during his youth days had now become teammates wearing the same jersey.

Guest ran harder than anyone.

Even after training ended, he was the last to leave the pitch, repeating more shots than anyone else.

The coaching staff also recognized his talent.

"His skill is sufficient."

"He would hold his own even if he played right now."

But football was not decided by skill alone.

At the time, PSG was already at the pinnacle of world football.

Having conquered the UEFA Champions League for two consecutive seasons, they became the club every team feared most, and winning the league was considered a natural goal.

The squad was flawless.

Even the players sitting on the bench were at a level to play as starters for other teams.

The manager let out a long sigh in the meeting room.

"Guest is ready."

A coach said cautiously.

"Then use him."

The manager shook his head.

"Who are you going to take out?"

The meeting room went silent.

No one could easily answer that question.

It was an already completed team.

It was risky to take out a starting attacker right away, and rotation alone could not take responsibility for Guest's growth.

Eventually, the club reached one conclusion.

'We can't just keep him sitting on the bench like this.'

A few days later.

PSG Board Meeting.

Various executives began to offer their opinions.

"The transfer fee would be substantial right now."

"Isn't selling also a good option?"

"There's no room in the team right now anyway."

The meeting began to lean more and more toward a sale.

That's when the meeting room door opened.

The person who entered quietly was the only daughter of PSG's largest investor family.

Han Seo-yoon.

She was someone who had loved PSG since childhood and was more interested in the youth system than anyone.

Han Seo-yoon looked at Guest's data on the table for a long time.

And then she spoke briefly.

"A sale is not an option."

The atmosphere in the meeting room momentarily froze.

An executive asked.

"But right now, there's no place to play..."

"There isn't."

Han Seo-yoon nodded calmly.

"So you're saying we should sell him?"

"..."

"The best youth player PSG spent years investing in and raising?"

No one could answer.

Han Seo-yoon put Guest's match footage on the screen.

Dribbling.

Infiltration.

Finishing.

Pressing.

Movement.

After the video ended, she said slowly.

"This player is not someone the team needs right now."

"He is the player who will take responsibility for PSG in the future."

"Give him time to grow."

"Not a sale."

"Send him on loan."

The meeting room went silent again.

After a moment, the sporting director nodded.

"...Very well."

"Two years."

"A loan for growth."

That decision proceeded quickly.

Several clubs showed interest, but PSG chose only one.

Manchester United.

A prestigious club with history and tradition.

A team that was looking for a new attacker to rebuild its fallen reputation.

And above all.

It was an environment where Guest could grow while playing consistently.

The day the final signature was placed on the contract.

Han Seo-yoon quietly called out to Guest as he was leaving the training ground.

"Don't forget."

Guest looked at her.

"You haven't been discarded."

"You're coming back stronger."

A moment of silence passed.

"PSG's number 9."

"I'll keep it vacant for now."

Those words were a promise.

And Guest headed to England to prove his everything.

Manchester Airport, UK.

Coming out of the arrivals hall after a long flight, Guest looked up at the gray sky.

A cold air different from Paris.

Instead of the familiar PSG emblem, it was now time for the Manchester United crest to be engraved on his chest.

A club official approached with a smile.

"Welcome, Guest."

"From now on, you are a Manchester United player."

Medical tests and contract procedures followed immediately.

After all processes were finished, the kit manager asked the final question.

"The squad number has been decided."

The staff member carefully took out a red jersey.

On the back, bold white letters were engraved.

11

Guest looked at that number for a moment.

It wasn't number 7.

It wasn't number 9.

It wasn't number 10.

But he accepted the jersey without a word.

As a loan player, he had never expected an ace number.

What he needed now was not a number, but matches.

A few days later, at the official signing press conference.

Dozens of cameras were pointed at Guest.

"How do you feel about coming to the Premier League?"

"It's an honor to play in the world's best league."

"Why did you choose Manchester United?"

"I wanted to play a lot."

It was a short but unwavering answer.

A reporter asked again.

"Do you think you were pushed out of the competition for a starting spot at PSG?"

For a moment, the conference hall went quiet.

Guest shook his head.

"No."

"PSG is the best team in the world."

"I still need to grow more."

"That's why I came here."

That answer graced the headlines of British sports newspapers the next day.

『PSG's Top Prospect, Humble Determination』

But doubts were as large as expectations.

"Will a player who played in the French league work in the EPL too?"

"The physical battles will be much rougher."

"There have been many prospects, but also many who failed."

Discussions continued day after day on SNS and broadcasts.

However, Guest did not look at such reactions.

He only looked at training.

The first team training.

The Manchester United players welcomed him more warmly than expected.

Bruno Fernandes was the first to approach and offer a handshake.

"Welcome."

"Tell me whenever you need anything."

Casemiro patted him on the shoulder, and Mainoo and Amad also spoke to him first.

Once training began, the atmosphere changed.

The passing speed was not inferior even compared to PSG.

The physical battles were, if anything, rougher.

In the training match, Guest fell after colliding strongly with a defender but got up immediately.

The next attack.

Bruno's through ball headed into space.

Guest took off before anyone else.

After beating the defender with a single touch, a left-footed shot.

The ball shook the corner of the net.

The training ground went quiet for a moment.

Bruno said with a laugh.

"Nice."

"He's a striker who makes passing enjoyable."

The coaching staff watching the training also left notes.

'Infiltration ability: Top tier.'

'Finishing: Excellent.'

'Adaptation speed: Fast.'

A few days later, the first pre-season match.

Guest was subbed in at the start of the second half.

The first time wearing the Manchester United jersey.

The number 11 on his back shone vividly under the stadium lights.

8 minutes after being subbed in.

He just changed the direction of a cross from the left with his head.

Goal.

A huge roar erupted from the stands.

And just before the end of the second half.

This time, he directly penetrated the space behind the defense and even scored an additional goal with a right-footed shot.

The match was a 3-1 victory.

After the match, the local commentator said.

"This player."

"He's a much more dangerous attacker than I thought."

Pre-season continued.

Guest scored consistently.

His playing time wasn't much, but he proved his presence in every match.

The manager also wore a satisfied expression.

"Good."

"He's starting the opening match."

Everyone nodded at those words.

The Premier League opening.

Old Trafford.

Over 80,000 spectators created a red wave.

The starting lineup was revealed one by one on the electronic scoreboard.

Number 11.

Guest.

The home fans' applause filled the stadium.

At that moment, no one knew.

The fact that this young loan striker would become the one to change Manchester United's season.

Episode 3 - A Season Named Proof

The Premier League opening match.

The roar of Old Trafford shook the sky even before the match started.

Manchester United number 11.

Guest took a deep breath in front of the tunnel.

The stage he had imagined countless times since his youth days.

Now was the time to prove everything on the pitch.

The referee's whistle blew.

The opposing defenders bumped their bodies roughly from the start.

It was an intensity completely different from the French league.

But Guest did not back down.

18 minutes into the first half.

Bruno Fernandes looked up from the center.

In an instant, Guest infiltrated, breaking the offside line.

A perfect through ball.

One-on-one with the goalkeeper.

Right-footed inside shot.

The ball accurately pierced the bottom right of the goal.

Debut goal in his debut match.

Old Trafford exploded.

"Guest!"

"Guest!"

Fans began to chant the name of the Korean striker they hadn't even fully memorized yet.

The match was a 2-0 victory.

Interview after the match.

"It's your first Premier League goal."

The reporter held out the microphone.

"How do you feel?"

Guest laughed briefly.

"It's just the beginning."

Those words were not a lie.

From then on, the goals did not stop.

Infiltration.

Headers.

Long-range shots.

Counterattacks.

Movement inside the box.

He created goals in different ways depending on the situation.

As the league progressed, opposing teams began to mark Guest intensively.

But the more they did, the more he brought his teammates to life.

He gave out passes after drawing out the defense,

And helped Bruno and the wingers score by creating space.

Before long, fans began to create a new chant.

"Eleven! Eleven!"

"He's everywhere!"

The number 11 gradually became one of the symbols of Old Trafford.

Round 12.

The Manchester Derby.

The opponent was Manchester City.

Before the match, most experts predicted a City victory.

But when the final whistle blew,

The scoreboard read 2-1.

Man Utd's victory was recorded.

The protagonist of the winning goal was Guest.

84 minutes into the second half.

He connected Bruno's cross with a diving header,

And the ball shook the net.

A roar erupted that was enough to shake the entire stadium.

After that day, the media said.

"He is no longer just a prospect."

"He is Manchester United's new problem solver."

Winter passed,

And the season entered its second half.

The most physically demanding period.

But Guest never once reduced his training volume.

He arrived at the training ground first at dawn,

And repeated shooting practice alone even after all the players had left.

The fitness coach shook his head.

"He simply doesn't rest."

Bruno said with a laugh.

"That guy is a player who suffers more on days he doesn't score."

That effort was proven by numbers.

25 league matches.

15 goals.

8 assists.

Man Utd was maintaining a much higher rank than expected.

The last two months of the season.

Fierce competition for Champions League qualification.

Every single match was a final.

Round 37.

Away match.

Man Utd was drawing 1-1 until just before the end.

94 minutes into second-half stoppage time.

Bruno's corner kick.

A chaotic situation.

The ball flowed out.

Guest did not hesitate.

A powerful right-footed volley.

Goal.

It was a dramatic winner.

Teammates all ran over and hugged Guest.

With that victory, Man Utd confirmed 3rd place in the league.

The day the final 38th round ended.

The records were announced.

38 Premier League matches.

20 goals.

10 assists.

First loan season.

It was a record no one had expected.

After the awards ceremony,

The manager called Guest aside.

"Well done."

"You were the best signing this season."

Guest bowed his head.

"Thank you."

The manager smiled.

"Let's look toward a higher place next season."

Guest also believed so.

At Man Utd,

And at PSG.

He thought everyone was expecting a bigger future.

But not long after the season ended,

A piece of breaking news that shook the football world was announced.

『Manchester United signs Danish national team striker William. Number 7 confirmed.』

Numerous fans welcomed the birth of a new ace.

At the same time, another news followed.

『Manchester United appoints Dutch manager Isaac van der Bergh.』

A new manager.

A new number 7.

And a new season.

A change no one expected,

Was quietly beginning.

Thank you. 😄 This setting has a clear conflict structure, so it's fun to write.

---

Episode 4 - The Chosen Number 7

With the end of the season, the players entered a short break.

Guest also returned to Korea for the first time in a long while to spend time with his family and recover his body and mind.

But even during the vacation, he didn't completely let go of football.

Weights in the morning.

Individual training in the afternoon.

In the evening, he repeatedly checked his match footage from last season.

20 goals, 10 assists.

It was certainly a satisfactory record.

However, Guest said to himself.

"I can do better next season."

He naturally believed it would be so.

He thought Manchester United would also need him.

---

July.

Returning to Manchester ahead of the pre-season, Guest discovered a unfamiliar face as soon as he entered the training ground.

Blonde hair.

A large build close to 190cm.

And numerous reporters.

"That person is..."

A player nearby said with a laugh.

"The new number 7."

Guest turned his gaze.

On the back of the red jersey, a vivid number was engraved.

7

And below it.

WILLIAM

Danish national team attacker.

One of the best strikers in Europe.

Manchester United paid an astronomical transfer fee to sign him permanently.

William smiled brightly toward the reporters.

"I will bring this club back to the top."

Flashes went off one after another.

Cheers from fans followed.

A new ace.

A new hope.

All eyes were on William.

---

A few days later.

The club officially announced the new manager.

Isaac van der Bergh.

A young manager from the Netherlands.

He was a figure famous for tactical perfection and strong principles.

First meeting.

Isaac looked at the players and said.

"Names are not important."

"Last season's records are not important either."

"We compete only with current skill."

The players nodded.

Guest also believed those words.

Fair competition.

That was enough.

---

First pre-season match.

Guest was a starter.

31 minutes into the first half.

Receiving Bruno's pass, a calm opening goal.

In the second half, he even recorded an assist with a sharp infiltration.

The match was a 3-0 victory.

It was a good start.

---

Second match.

Subbed in during the second half.

Two goals in 25 minutes.

Third match.

One goal.

One assist.

His condition was top-tier even in training.

He scored the most goals among the attackers,

And received the highest evaluations.

Teammates also said.

"Number 11 is the starter this season too."

"It's obvious given last year's performance."

Guest thought so too.

---

However, there was one strange thing.

Tactical training.

William was always in the starting group.

Guest was always in the opposite group.

At first, he thought it was a simple experiment.

But one day.

Two days.

A week.

The same composition was repeated continuously.

---

One day after training ended.

Guest went to see Manager Isaac.

"Manager."

Isaac looked up.

"What is it?"

"If there's anything I'm lacking, please let me know."

"I will improve it."

Isaac was silent for a moment.

And then he said calmly.

"It's not because you're lacking."

Guest did not understand.

"Pardon?"

"I know your skill."

"Last season was also excellent."

Stopping for a moment, Isaac spoke again.

"But you."

"...are a loan player."

The air became heavy.

"The club invested a huge sum in William."

"He is the future of this team."

"I have to build the team around him throughout the season."

Guest couldn't say anything.

Isaac continued with the same cold expression.

"It's not because you're bad."

"It's just."

"That there is a player I must choose separately."

---

That night.

Returning to his quarters, Guest could not fall asleep easily.

He watched the training footage again.

The goal scenes.

The assist scenes.

But no matter which scene he watched, the answer did not come out.

It wasn't a matter of skill.

Because he had already heard the answer.

Loan player.

That one phrase explained everything.

---

A few days later.

The Premier League opening match.

The opponent was Bournemouth.

Old Trafford.

The starting lineup was revealed.

The fans' eyes first headed toward the striker position.

Number 7. William.

And.

Number 11 Guest.

His name was on the bench list.

A murmur spread through the stands as well.

"He had 20 goals last year?"

"Why is he on the bench?"

"Is he injured?"

But almost no one knew the reason.

Guest sat quietly on the bench and looked at the pitch.

The referee's whistle blew.

The match did not flow as intended.

William was isolated,

And attacks were cut off time and again.

39 minutes into the first half.

Bournemouth's opening goal.

73 minutes into the second half.

An additional goal from a single counterattack.

Cold numbers appeared on the electronic scoreboard.

Manchester United 0 : 2 Bournemouth

Match ended.

Boos poured out at Old Trafford.

Guest did not step onto the pitch for even a single minute.

---

Locker room.

The players couldn't say anything.

Only a heavy silence filled the space.

After a while, Manager Isaac entered.

After looking around at the players once, he said calmly.

"Today's match is over."

No one could lift their heads.

And Isaac left one final word while folding the tactical board.

"Next match."

"...William starts."

Guest looked down at his number 11 jersey without a word.

Just like that,

The second season was starting again from the bench.