The result of the big win against Getafe was great, but when the whole team returned to England and looked at the drizzling sky, it wasn't so great.
The players' mood wasn't too good when they thought about training and playing in such rain and fog.
Who doesn't like sunshine?
"Alright! Guys!! Everyone go back and rest for a day, remember to be on time for training the day after tomorrow!"
The bus picked up the team members from the airport and brought them back to the training base. Gao Bo announced to the players before getting off.
There were quite a few fans waiting at the training base. When Gao Bo got out of the car, the fans were already standing at the entrance of the training base, cheering for the team through the iron gate.
Gao Bo took the initiative to walk over. By now, he had to get used to signing autographs for fans.
Gao Bo himself didn't have the habit of chasing stars. Although he used to be a fan who liked watching football, he didn't have any particular favorite star.
His habit of watching football was different from ordinary fans. Ordinary fans liked to pay attention to the performance of stars and liked to see wonderful goals, while Gao Bo liked to watch the team's formation, tactical changes, and other things. These things seemed quite boring to ordinary fans.
So he couldn't understand why fans liked to chase after star autographs. But not understanding didn't mean that Gao Bo would despise this behavior. He still respected what others liked, as long as it wasn't illegal.
Moreover, to some extent, if there were no such fans, professional football wouldn't be able to operate. They were completely relying on these fans to make a living. So even though Gao Bo didn't like signing autographs, he still looked quite approachable when facing the fans.
The players also got off one by one. The distance from flying back to England from Spain wasn't very far, and they still looked radiant.
After signing autographs for the fans, Gao Bo rubbed his face, which was a little stiff from smiling, and returned to his office.
However, before he could even sit down, he received a piece of news that made him feel terrible!
"Manchester United wants to recall Drinkwater early?!!"
Gao Bo was about to jump up when he received the fax from Manchester United.
He was really too surprised.
"Are there any clauses about early recall in Drinkwater's contract details?"
Gao Bo remembered that when he signed the loan contract with Manchester United, Drinkwater's loan period was two years, and there was no agreement on early recall.
"Doesn't this mean we can ignore Manchester United's request?"
Gao Bo called in the team's legal counsel, Maurice Wiggins, an employee of a local law firm, a middle-aged fat man in his thirties who was already bald.
"That's right, Gao!" Wiggins sat opposite Gao Bo, shifting his body slightly, causing the chair to creak.
Gao Bo frowned: "You should control your weight, Maurice!"
"I want to, but who told Burger King to be nearby? Unless they move," Wiggins said, opening the document.
"I've looked at the contract carefully, Manchester United has no right to recall Drinkwater early!"
Gao Bo nodded. Maurice's professionalism was still good, at least he wouldn't be ambiguous on these issues.
"That's good!" Gao Bo turned his head and instructed John: "Reject them directly!"
Gao Bo thought for a while, and then said: "Also ask them how much Cleverley costs."
Of course, Gao Bo didn't think that Ferguson would let Cleverley go. The reason why he brought this up was purely to vent his anger a little and disgust Manchester United by the way.
Gao Bo quickly found out why Manchester United would propose to recall Drinkwater early at this time.
On a TV show, Ferguson rubbed his iconic red nose.
The Scottish old man spoke eloquently when facing reporters: "Yes, we have decided to recall Danny early. He performed well at Luton last season, we have been following his performance for a long time, and I think he is ready for the Premier League."
Gao Bo angrily turned off the TV.
He had heard about Ferguson's cunningness for a long time, but what Gao Bo didn't expect was that for a Community Shield, the old man would use this trick!
It's just a Community Shield, did the old man need to do these things?!
Gao Bo absolutely didn't believe that Ferguson didn't know that there was no recall clause in Drinkwater's loan contract. Then the only reason Ferguson did this was—to disrupt the opponent's morale before the Community Shield!
Psychological warfare!
One of Ferguson's best tricks!
Gao Bo quickly calmed down after being angry. It seemed that he was still a bit naive. He knew that the other party was playing psychological warfare, but he was still indignant!
Did Ferguson's trick work?
Gao Bo thought it did, because from the moment Ferguson gave that interview on TV, the media started discussing it enthusiastically.
Who can Drinkwater replace if he returns to Manchester United?
Is Drinkwater really one of the best players in Manchester United's youth academy?
What is his level?
Etc. etc. etc.
And Gao Bo also heard the players on the training ground discussing whether Drinkwater should return to Manchester United.
For Luton's players, Drinkwater was undoubtedly an important member of the team's midfield. If Drinkwater was recalled by Manchester United before the start of the new season, it would undoubtedly be a very serious weakening of the team's strength, because at this time, it would be very difficult for the team to find a suitable replacement in the transfer market again.
Drinkwater himself was also a little inexplicable, because no one from Manchester United had contacted him, but when he heard Ferguson say this in the media, he seemed to be vaguely expecting it.
However, Drinkwater thought about it carefully. If Manchester United really wanted to recall him, they should communicate with him.
And even if he was recalled, it would be difficult for him to start.
Currently, Manchester United's midfield has Carrick, Fletcher, Scholes, Park Ji-sung, Giggs, and other well-known players, and Cleverley also has a fixed amount of playing time in the first team.
So Drinkwater also knew that it would be difficult for him to get a chance at Manchester United. Rather than sitting on the bench at Manchester United, it would be better to finish this season at Luton and then make plans. Anyway, now at Luton, at least his playing time is absolutely guaranteed.
Gao Bo also wanted to stabilize Drinkwater, but he didn't expect Drinkwater to come and express his loyalty himself.
"I won't leave the team this season, boss!" Drinkwater said.
Gao Bo breathed a sigh of relief after receiving the guarantee. Drinkwater was an important part of his season. If he really chose to go back to Manchester United, Gao Bo would have to find a replacement in the transfer market.
"The other party rejected our request!"
Carrington Training Base, Ferguson's office.
Ferguson's assistant Phelan reported from the side.
Ferguson wasn't surprised either. At this time, asking to recall one of the other party's main players, it would be strange if Luton didn't refuse.
"If they reject, then they reject. Anyway, even if Drinkwater comes back this season, there's no place for him. It's good for him to stay at Luton," Ferguson said with a smile, not at all like he was full of appreciation for Drinkwater in the media.
Phelan also nodded. Ferguson was just playing a psychological war.
"I don't know what impact this will have on them."
"It doesn't matter what impact!!" Ferguson spread his hands.
"It's just a side effect."
"That's because you're too competitive," Phelan complained in his heart.
Even for the Community Shield, Ferguson would never allow a loss.