September 15, 2012 Manchester United vs. Reading – Old Trafford
The sky over Old Trafford was overcast, but nothing could dull the electricity Alex felt in his chest.
The team sheet was pinned up.
He stared at it.
There it was — under the list of substitutes.
#42 – A. Marshall
He was on the bench for the senior team.
"Don't pass out," Jesse chuckled, nudging him.
Alex couldn't stop staring. The crest beside his name looked like it belonged.
The Dressing Room
Alex sat silently between Anderson and Jhonny Evans.
Everything looked sharper here — the kit was folded neatly, warm-up jackets freshly steamed, boots aligned like weapons in a soldier's locker.
Fletcher approached, voice low and calm.
"Stay ready. If we're comfortable, you might get your minutes today."
Alex nodded, heart thumping.
Match Begins
United vs. Reading kicked off at Old Trafford in front of a crowd just shy of 75,000.
Sir Alex had rotated the squad slightly — no Van Persie today, rested after international duty. Instead, Wayne Rooney led the line as a false nine, with Shinji Kagawa drifting in from the left and Antonio Valencia offering his trademark pace down the right.
Behind them, Carrick and Cleverley formed the midfield double pivot, controlling the tempo, while Evra, Evans, Smalling, and Rafael held the backline, with David de Gea between the sticks.
Reading had set up compact — two solid banks of four, content to absorb pressure and play on the break. But it didn't take long for class to show.
20th minute – 1–0.
Kagawa picked the ball up on the left, danced inside, then slipped a clever ball between two defenders. Rooney, always sniffing for space, darted in, shrugged off his man, and rifled a low shot into the bottom corner.
Old Trafford erupted.
Rooney didn't even celebrate much — just pointed toward Kagawa and jogged back.
"Sharp today," Anderson muttered from the bench. Alex nodded silently, eyes locked on the movement off the ball.
41st minute – 2–0.
This time, it was Valencia doing damage. He torched the Reading left-back with a burst of speed and fired in a low cross that skidded through the six-yard box.
Kagawa dummied.
Cleverley arrived late and met it cleanly — side-footed into the top corner.
United were cruising.
By the time the second half rolled around, the tempo had dipped.
Not from laziness — just control.
Carrick was doing what Carrick did — two-touch passes, steady rhythm, always offering himself. Rooney dropped deeper to link play. Rafael started making more overlapping runs, testing the legs of Reading's midfield.
Fletcher, watching from the technical area, leaned in toward Sir Alex. "Comfortable lead. Might be time to blood the boy."
The gaffer gave a faint nod.
Fletcher turned to Alex. "Warm up. You're going in."
Debut: Minute 68
Alex stood at the touchline. The fourth official raised the board.
OFF: Tom Cleverley ON: Alex Marshall
The crowd clapped politely — they didn't know who he was yet.
But they would.
Rooney jogged past and slapped his hand. "Show me what you've got."
Alex's first few minutes were simple: keep possession, recycle the ball, press intelligently.
The pace was faster than youth or U21, but not unmanageable. He kept it tidy, focused on not forcing anything.
But then came the moment.
Valencia collected the ball on the right, burst past his marker, and cut it inside.
It found Alex near the top of the box — he had one touch to control.
A Reading defender closed quickly. Behind him, Rooney was drifting into space.
Alex didn't think — he just acted.
A perfectly weighted, reverse-threaded ball behind the centre-back.
Rooney latched onto it and hammered it home.
3–0.
The stadium roared.
Alex stood still for a second, stunned.
Rooney jogged back, grinning, and ruffled his hair. "Didn't know you had that in you."
Alex grinned back, barely able to contain himself.
The Crowd Notices
"Who's the kid?" someone in the crowd asked.
"42 — Marshall, I think. Academy lad."
"Nice pass, that."
By full-time, United had won 3–0.
And Alex had made his first mark.
In the Tunnel
As the players filtered off, Alex walked beside Jesse, both still buzzing.
From behind, Fletcher called out, "Good composure. You're training with us all week."
Then came Sir Alex Ferguson himself, nodding briefly as he passed. "Well done, lad."
Just three words — but they echoed louder than any stadium cheer.
System Notification
Match Complete: Senior Debut
22 Minutes Played
1 Assist
94% Pass Accuracy
1 Key Pass
+10 Experience+2 Vision+1 Short Passing+1 Composure
You've made your mark. The fans are starting to learn your name.
At Home – Late Night Buzz
Alex lay on his bed, still in partial kit, staring at the ceiling.
His phone buzzed non-stop — Twitter mentions, Instagram tags, texts from friends and family.
Then a new message lit up the screen:
Rooney:Didn't know you had that in you.Let's see if you can do it again.
Alex smiled.
Challenge accepted.