### Thicker Thighs than Carlos
In the office of Newton Heath's training ground, it was quiet. Levi was alone, leaning on the sofa, staring at the ceiling.
The players had already finished their morning training, so the entire training ground was very quiet. The remaining staff were collecting the sounds made by the training equipment, but it was very weak when it reached the office.
Today was the third round of the FA Cup draw, which would determine who would be the opponent of New Manchester United in the third round.
Frankly speaking, for a team in the tenth level of England to reach the third round of the FA Cup was rare, if not unprecedented. Additionally, the teams participating in this round included Premier League and English Championship teams. It was impossible for New Manchester United to draw a favorable match against these professionally strong teams.
For the current New Manchester United, whether it was a Premier League, Championship, or even League One and League Two teams, it was difficult for them to win if their opponents played seriously.
This was why Levi initially thought it was sensible to give up on the FA Cup.
Now, whether it was the media or the fans, they were surprised by New Manchester United's performance in the FA Cup this season. They speculated, and some even wrote to the FA suggesting a Red Devils derby between New Manchester United and Manchester United. It would be a historic FA Cup match.
But in truth, Levi did not want to meet Manchester United so early.
This year was a triumphant one for Manchester United. Winning the Premier League, FA Cup, and Champions League was enough to shock the world. If New Manchester United faced Manchester United now, it would surely be a disaster.
Although Levi believed the team should have a fighting spirit, he preferred to avoid Manchester United for now. He still had a choice, so he didn't want to face them just yet. However, he was curious to see what would happen if the new Red Devils played at Old Trafford.
Having been the boss of New Manchester United for some time, Levi's thinking had started to change.
If he were still a fan, he would long for New Manchester United to face Manchester United because it would be a sensational match. However, as the owner of New Manchester United, he felt the need to protect the team as if it were his own child.
The Red Devils Derby was inevitable, but it was too soon!
With a bang, the office door was pulled open, and a stream of cold air rushed in.
"Come out, Levi!" Walsh said excitedly.
Seeing his excited expression, Levi's heart leapt.
Although the FA had repeatedly emphasized that they would not manipulate the draw, everyone knew that absolute fairness was a myth, much like UEFA's handling of the Champions League draw.
The FA Cup draw had indeed been favorable to New Manchester United, drawing the two weakest teams in the second round together. This seemed like a deliberate arrangement to help New Manchester United advance.
The more Levi thought about it, the more it seemed true.
"Isn't it really Manchester United?" Levi asked, seeing Walsh's excitement.
Walsh's smile stiffened, and he sat down opposite Levi, pursing his lips. "I was hoping we'd draw Manchester United, but unfortunately, it's Arsenal!"
"Ah, Arsenal?" Levi was in a good mood when he heard the first sentence, but immediately became dejected when he heard the second.
Opting out was completely different from being eliminated!
"Does Bruce know?" Levi asked.
"Yes," Walsh nodded. "I just called him!"
"How did he react?"
"He was very calm, just whistled and said he was having dinner with his family before hanging up."
Arsenal were the new rivals for Manchester United fans. Just last year, they had snatched the Premier League title from Manchester United, and this season, Arsenal and Manchester United were neck and neck, with only one point separating them.
For the fans, the team competing with their beloved team for the championship was the enemy, especially one that had taken the title.
When the FA Cup draw was announced, the media immediately highlighted the upcoming match at Highbury Stadium. Television stations even provided live coverage, which was almost unimaginable for a tenth-level team in England.
Little Red Devil vowed to detonate the Arsenal!
The Red Devil brothers are determined to shame the big brother!
To help the Red Devils win, the Red Rebels swear to stop the Gunners!
The next day, almost all English newspapers published reports about the third round of the FA Cup, especially the game between New Manchester United and Arsenal.
Arsenal had snatched the league title from Manchester United last year and were fiercely competing with them again this season. The complicated relationship between New Manchester United and Manchester United added even more intrigue to the match, attracting the attention of nearly every major newspaper in England.
"Why don't you ask me what I think about this game?" Bruce asked Levi, who was sitting in the passenger seat while Bruce was driving.
"What do you think? It's just an ordinary FA Cup game. For a team like ours to reach the third round, I'm satisfied. I can't make more demands on you and the team, can I?" Levi replied with a grin.
"Although I want to treat this game as an ordinary FA Cup match, you and I both know that's impossible. I've heard that nearly two thousand fans in Manchester have already booked travel to Highbury. This is definitely not an ordinary game!" Bruce also smiled wryly.
Sometimes, the thoughts of the parties involved become secondary, and things happen beyond their control.
"Can they still expect us to beat Arsenal? Come on, Bergkamp alone is worth more than our entire team, not to mention Anelka, Shiman, Overmars, and Vieira. Each one is an international player."
Levi sighed. "Steve, sometimes I really hate this feeling of powerlessness. I have the money now. If I wanted to, I could buy a Premier League or even a Championship team and lead them to glory."
"But do you know? Whenever I see Fat Jim, Old Man John, and those fans who come to support the team every game, I wonder, does that make sense? Is it more fulfilling to build a club from scratch and lead it to glory step by step, like watching a child grow, or to buy a top-tier club and build on its existing traditions?"
"Which way is happier? More fulfilling? More satisfying? Steve?"
Feeling Levi's eyes, Bruce hesitated before sighing. "Levi, I can only say that everyone has different choices. New Manchester United is a magical club, and you are a person full of magic. I believe you will lead this magical team to glory."
Levi looked out the window, disappointed. Bruce's reluctance to commit to staying with New Manchester United saddened him, but it was understandable. Everyone has their own aspirations.
"Steve, no matter what, I hope you can stay next season, even if it's just for another year."
Levi said as they arrived outside his neighborhood, about to get out of the car.
Bruce froze, and Levi had already gotten out when he came to his senses.
Watching Levi walk into the neighborhood, Bruce felt ashamed. Levi had trusted him from the beginning, but he couldn't give any guarantees.
But he also knew that his ambitions did not align with New Manchester United's, and he wasn't the type to start from the bottom. Agreeing to coach New Manchester United was already a departure from his previous goals.
But then again, if Manchester United and Arsenal were just lower-level teams, would Ferguson and Wenger have stayed for over ten or twenty years?
Bruce drove away, and Levi turned back to look at the car's rear lights. In truth, he didn't blame Bruce because everyone's pursuits are different. Levi couldn't demand others to live according to his wishes; he was no longer a naïve kid.
"Hey, why are you frowning? Are you worried about playing against Arsenal? But no wonder, you'll lose!" Scarlett teased Levi as she came out of the apartment and saw him staring at the highway.
Levi took a deep breath, calmed his mood, and replied lightly to the beautiful blonde, "I was thinking, would you rather streak on this road or let me appreciate it in my own house? What do you think?"
"You gangster!" Scarlett kicked Levi's left calf with a high heel, causing him to scream in pain and grin.
"Hey, I tell you, you can't escape this time. Unless you want to break your word, but then I'll make sure you regret it!" Levi shouted at Scarlett as she ran back to the apartment.
Scarlett stopped, turned to stare at Levi, snorted coldly, and ran in faster.
"It hurts. This woman's legs are probably thicker than Roberto Carlos's; otherwise, how could she be so strong?" Levi dragged his injured left leg to the apartment, muttering complaints under his breath.