David sat quietly in his seat on the team bus, gazing out of the window as the familiar sights of the city passed by a city he and his dad had visited long ago when he was younger. The sky was overcast, with dark clouds looming ominously in the distance. His mind was elsewhere, wandering through memories of the past week—performances that had propelled Derby County into their most anticipated match of the season.
It had been an intense few days. After their 2-0 win against Huddersfield at Pride Park, the team had embarked on a whirlwind journey. The 1-1 draw at Fulham had been a hard-fought battle, with David's late penalty which Wayne Rooney the legend slotted in securing a crucial point. They'd then gone on to defeat QPR 2-1, a match where David's two assists had set up Martyn and Tom for the goals. And of course, there had been the 3-0 thrashing of Sheffield Wednesday, a match where David had been in his element—scoring the final goal in a match that saw him complete 12 successful dribbles and create three big chances. Unfortunately, none of his assists had been converted, but the result had been a strong one nonetheless.
David ran his fingers through his hair, trying to clear his mind of the fatigue that had settled over him. The past week had been a heavy one, with moments of pure brilliance mixed in with missed opportunities. He had been proud of his performances, but it wasn't enough. There was always more to be done. He had to push harder, do better, and constantly remind himself of the responsibility that came with being the "wonderkid."
He didn't notice Jason, who was sitting beside him, until he felt a light tap on his shoulder. "Hey, what's with the frown?" Jason asked, his voice filled with the usual upbeat energy that always seemed to lift David's spirits. "We're about to play our biggest match of the season! We're on a roll after those last few matches."
David looked over at Jason, forcing a smile. "We are, aren't we?" he said, feeling the pressure of the moment but also the excitement building within him. His thoughts drifted back to those recent games, the highs, and the lows. They had been on fire lately, and with this match ahead, everything felt like it was culminating into something massive.
"Remember how we went away to Fulham after that 2-0 win against Huddersfield?" David continued, his mind shifting gears. "Wayne's penalty equalizer in the last minute was a huge moment for us. We could have easily lost that game, but we came through." He paused, remembering how the atmosphere had been tense as the penalty was about to be taken. "Then there was QPR—2-1 away win, two assists from me. Martyn and Tom slotted them in, and we came out on top." David grinned at the memory of that game. "That felt good."
Jason laughed, nodding. "You've been on fire lately, mate. We all have."
David couldn't help but nod in agreement. Their 3-0 demolition of Sheffield Wednesday had felt like the peak of their current form. But even in that game, where David had netted a brilliant goal to seal the win, he couldn't shake the feeling of what could have been. He'd completed 12 successful dribbles, created three big chances, yet none of his chances had been converted. It was a frustrating but familiar feeling, one he knew he couldn't dwell on. He had to keep pushing forward.
Jason leaned back in his seat, grinning. "Games like this are insane, mate. But we've been playing like we belong. Do you reckon we could play for them one day?" Jason asked, a note of admiration in his voice as he nodded toward the front of the bus, where Wayne Rooney sat in his usual position, eyes focused ahead, mentally preparing for the game.
David's gaze followed Jason's, and for a moment, he allowed himself to think about the possibility. Playing for one of the biggest clubs in the world. It seemed so far away, yet it was becoming increasingly clear that this was the path he was on.
"I know so," David replied confidently, his voice firm. "We're both good, Jason. We've got everything we need."
Jason grinned, but then his expression softened. "And they're at the pinnacle of football, aren't they?" he said, his tone filled with respect for the opposition. David nodded in agreement. Whoever they were playing today, they were no slouches. The team they were about to face was the very definition of success, and to compete with them would be an honor.
But then, from the back of the bus, a voice called out, breaking the contemplative silence. "You guys do know we're playing them for this 5th round of the FA Cup, right?" The voice belonged to Max, one of the senior players on the team. "We're their competitors, not their fans."
There was a moment of awkward silence, and David glanced at Jason, who looked a little embarrassed. Max's words had hit a little too close to home. The excitement of the upcoming match had been overshadowed by the reality of what they were facing.
"Yeah, yeah, we get it," Jason replied, a sheepish grin spreading across his face. "We're the competitors, not the fans."
The others on the bus laughed, the tension lifting as the mood returned to its usual pre-match lightheartedness. David couldn't help but smile at the banter. It was moments like this that made the journey worth it—the camaraderie, the banter, and the knowledge that they were all in it together, no matter how big the challenge.
As the bus continued its journey, David's mind began to wander again, this time to the present. His heart was racing now as they neared the stadium. The sight of the towering structure in the distance sent a shiver down his spine. He remembered the first time he had visited this city, the first time he'd seen the iconic stadium up close. His heart had pounded in his chest then, just as it was now.
He could feel the energy building, the anticipation of the match. As the bus pulled closer to the entrance, he could hear the roars of the crowd, even from inside the vehicle. The fans were already chanting, their voices growing louder as they neared. David glanced out the window, catching sight of a sea of red and white scarves waving in the air.
"Hey," David heard someone shout from the front of the bus. "We're just going to do a light stretching session, guys. Then we head back to the hotel to rest."
David's mind was elsewhere, the words barely registering as he gazed out the window. It was all so surreal. He had grown up watching matches at stadiums like this, dreaming of the day he would play on these hallowed grounds. And now, here he was, on the verge of taking that step.
The bus came to a stop, and the players began to shuffle out. David stepped onto the pavement, his heart racing. As he walked towards the entrance of the stadium, he couldn't help but glance to the side. There, standing on the side of the stadium wall, was the unmistakable logo of one of the biggest clubs in the world. It was the emblem of a team that had been etched into football history, the team his father had always supported.
His heart pounded in his chest. This was it. He was about to step onto the pitch of Old Trafford—the legendary home of his father's favorite team Manchester United the most successful team in England despite them being in the lows just being here got his heart beating wildly. The atmosphere was electric, the crowd buzzing with excitement as they filtered into the tunnel. David took a deep breath, trying to steady his nerves.
Old Trafford. The dream.