Youth development had to function as a complete system, one that became progressively more demanding as players grew older.
Take Rooney, for example. He was an exceptional talent, but why was there so little record of him playing regular youth-team football?
It was impossible to say that he had simply skipped youth football and gone straight into the first team because he was a genius.
Messi, Ishmael, Mikel, and Michael Johnson were only 13 or 14 years old, yet they had already represented New Manchester United's under-18 side because their talent and ability were far beyond their age.
If Rooney had already been that outstanding at 14, before reaching senior football, then he should have been playing for an academy team or competing above his age group.
So why had he not accumulated that kind of experience?
Because England's youth competitions were poorly organised.
From 1998 to 2001, the FA and the government had each contributed £5 million annually to support youth development at English clubs.
The money had been set aside specifically for academy football.
Starting the following year, however, responsibility for that funding would be divided among the Premier League, the FA, the PFA, the Football League, the Sports Council, and the government.
Several of those organisations had already made it clear that they intended to withdraw their contributions.
At a time when youth development was receiving greater attention across continental Europe, England was actually reducing its investment.
That would inevitably make smaller and medium-sized clubs even less willing to spend money on their academies, accelerating the decline of English youth football.
The problem was even more serious in the lower divisions.
Ethan's view was simple.
If the FA was unwilling to invest, the clubs should organise something themselves.
Professional teams from Greater Manchester, Liverpool, Leeds, Blackburn, and other nearby areas could create their own youth-league structure and arrange regular matches against one another.
Only through sufficient competitive football could young players improve more quickly and effectively.
Several Premier League clubs, including Manchester United, Manchester City, Liverpool, Everton, and Leeds United, had already expressed clear interest in the proposal.
Most of those clubs valued youth development.
Instead of forcing their academy players to take part in matches with little developmental value, they preferred to see them compete against opponents of a similar standard.
That would challenge them more effectively and accelerate their progress.
Expanding the competition beyond Greater Manchester to include surrounding cities would also cost relatively little.
For Premier League clubs, the annual expense would be insignificant.
As for professional clubs operating under tighter financial conditions, Ethan wanted the competition to be formally established through the FA.
That would allow the organisers to apply for a special development fund to help those teams participate.
Although New Manchester United were only in League Two, Ethan had no interest in taking advantage of such funding.
The club already allocated a fixed proportion of its annual budget to youth development, so whether the subsidy existed made little difference to them.
More importantly, players such as Messi would gain more meaningful match experience.
That mattered far more than anything else.
"Good. Get it organised as quickly as possible," Ethan said after hearing Cassell's report. "I want the competition to begin this year."
He was extremely pleased.
Mourinho, Moniz, Meulensteen, and the others had all complained repeatedly about the shortage of youth fixtures and the poor quality of many of the matches available.
If New Manchester United's academy teams could regularly face players from clubs such as Manchester United and Liverpool, it would undoubtedly increase their enthusiasm and accelerate their development.
"Recently, quite a few scouts have been watching our academy players," Ethan continued. "We need to take that seriously. If anyone tries anything behind our backs, we'll take them to court."
New Manchester United had already discussed the issue with several nearby clubs involved in the proposed competition, especially Manchester United and Manchester City.
If either club attempted to poach players improperly, the Red Rebels had made it clear that they would pursue legal action.
From the perspective of the larger clubs, it was not worth damaging relations with New Manchester United over one or two promising youngsters, especially when Ethan's position was so firm.
After all, no one could guarantee that any academy player would become a professional.
However, just because other clubs were not trying to poach New Manchester United's players did not mean New Manchester United had no intention of recruiting from elsewhere.
Oldham Athletic were the first to lose a prospect.
The League Two side had recently suffered a 3-1 home defeat to New Manchester United.
After that match, Ethan suddenly remembered a player and instructed the scouting department to investigate.
Micah Richards was a highly promising defender who, in Ethan's previous life, would become an England international at a very young age and begin his senior career with Manchester City.
At present, he was playing in Oldham's academy.
He had been born in Birmingham and had previously spent time with Leeds United, but Leeds had released him before he joined Oldham.
Oldham's academy was poorly funded and given little attention.
Richards did not feel particularly valued there.
He had also played against New Manchester United's youth side and suffered a heavy defeat.
The quality of the Red Rebels' facilities and coaching had left a deep impression on him.
So when a New Manchester United scout approached and asked whether he would like to train at Newton Heath, Richards agreed without hesitation.
Oldham raised little objection, provided New Manchester United paid a modest development fee of several thousand pounds.
"We also went to Stevenage, one of our former Conference opponents," Cassell continued. "We couldn't find the player you mentioned in their academy, but we eventually located him in a nearby neighbourhood.
"His name is Jack Wilshere, just as you said. He's only nine years old and supports West Ham United."
Ethan immediately smiled.
"Can we sign him?"
Wilshere was another future England star.
Under the guidance of youth-development specialists such as Moniz and Meulensteen, Ethan believed he could achieve at least as much as he would have at Arsenal.
"We invited his parents to Manchester and showed them around the training base. We also took them to visit several nearby schools.
"They've already agreed to let Jack join our academy," Cassell replied with a smile.
As New Manchester United's academy director, Cassell had evaluated countless young players.
He could naturally recognise Wilshere's potential.
No matter how determined Ethan was to turn New Manchester United into a major club, he understood that every great club needed a group of players developed within its own academy.
That was not only because of future UEFA squad-registration rules, but also because of the practical needs of the team.
Every club required a core of players who were deeply loyal and willing to remain through difficult periods.
Liverpool had Gerrard.
Real Madrid had Raúl.
AC Milan had Maldini.
Juventus had Del Piero.
Strong clubs needed players they had developed themselves, players whose loyalty belonged to the badge.
Only a team built around such a core could possess genuine unity and fighting spirit.
New Manchester United already had homegrown players such as Curtis, along with academy prospects like Messi and Ishmael.
But no club would ever complain about having too many players of that kind, especially when Ethan already knew how talented they were.
English football also offered a large number of competitive fixtures, giving young players more opportunities.
If the new youth league was successfully established, it would provide even greater support for their development.
"Jack Rodwell is currently playing for Southport's youth team," Cassell continued. "Their academy coach is his uncle, Tony Rodwell, a former Blackpool player who moved into youth coaching after retiring."
Ethan breathed a sigh of relief.
Rodwell was another prodigious talent, and fortunately, he had not yet joined Everton.
Southport were a semi-professional Conference club, so the standard of their youth system was easy to imagine.
"We've already spoken with his parents, and they've agreed to consider moving him to Manchester.
"Jack will probably visit the club within the next couple of days to see the facilities for himself."
That was standard procedure when recruiting academy players.
Parents naturally cared about their children's education, living arrangements, and training environment.
When young players such as Wilshere, Rodwell, and Richards arrived in Manchester, New Manchester United would arrange for them to live with carefully selected local families who supported the club.
They would attend nearby schools and travel to Newton Heath several times a week for training.
The purpose was to help them develop loyalty and a sense of belonging.
New Manchester United's supporters around Newton Heath were famously passionate.
Under their influence, the club believed these young players would identify more deeply with the Red Rebels.
New Manchester United would also do everything possible to make them feel comfortable and valued.
Ethan wanted the club to feel like a home.
Whether someone belonged to the coaching staff, the first team, the academy, or the support in the stands, the club should give them a genuine sense of belonging.
"Honestly, Boss, every player you've named has real talent," Cassell admitted. "I'm beginning to suspect your information is more accurate than our entire scouting network."
Ethan laughed heartily.
Of course it was.
He was providing names from the list of English stars who would emerge over the next several years.
Naturally, nearly every player they found would be exceptional.
"Oh, Jim, I've also received some feedback from the schools," Ethan said. "Several of our academy players are struggling academically.
"We need to take that seriously. Hire tutors to help them catch up.
"If their grades aren't good enough, they don't play."
His tone left no room for argument.
Ajax's academy followed a similar principle.
They believed education taught young players how to think, something that was vital to their long-term development.
A player's education could shape his entire life.
Not every academy prospect would become a professional footballer.
For those who failed to make it, Ethan wanted them to have the opportunity to continue their studies and build a future elsewhere.
That was why New Manchester United had always placed great importance on education.
Even several young first-team players, including Essien and De Rossi, received tutoring arranged by the club.
The players might find those requirements difficult to accept while they were young, but their parents would understand.
And once they grew older, the players themselves would realise that the club had acted in their best interests.
(To be continued.)
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◇ One bonus chapter will be released for every 200 Power Stones.
◇ You can read the ahead chapter on Pat if you're interested: p-atreon.c-om/Blownleaves (Just remove the hyphen to access normally.)