When Cristiano Ronaldo made it known to the world that he wanted to leave Manchester United he may well have thought his wish would come true shortly afterwards. He might have presumed that a long line of clubs would have instantly formed desperate to sign him. Why else make his desires so public?
Either way, the gambit to engineer his departure from United just a year after returning looks to have backfired spectacularly. That line didn't form. Europe's biggest clubs are steering clear. Even those in need of a striker aren't showing interest. In the meantime, Erik ten Hag has shown a glimpse of what the future could look like without him in the United side. The future looks bright.
Doom and gloom was beginning to set in once more in the build-up to United's pre-season tour thanks to Ronaldo's revelation, as well as a slow start in the transfer market, but those growing dark clouds have cleared after a few weeks in Thailand and Australia. The results - convincing victories over Liverpool, Melbourne Victory and Crystal Palace - have been galvanising but it has been the manner of the performances that have really grown optimism.
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It's hard to believe that the vast majority of the players involved in the matches are the same ones that served up such dross last season. It shows how important a talented coach is as United already look structured, tactical and creative under Ten Hag's stewardship. There is now a clear plan to stick to, a set-up to work within, instructions to follow and it's resulting in some lovely football.
There are still kinks to iron out - United look susceptible to counterattacks - and it's clear why Ten Hag is pushing for Frenkie de Jong so strongly to enhance his midfield but the difference that can be seen already is great. It just highlights further how idiotic United have been in not hiring a proper manager for so long.
The attack especially is where United really look exciting. Anthony Martial seems like a completely different person, let alone player. He is now working harder in pre-season friendlies than he did in his last competitive appearances for United and looks to have had his confidence inflated like a balloon, attempting audacious flicks, smart turns, neat passes with most of them actually working.
The Frenchman has been given a final chance - one he hadn't earned - to lead the line in Ronaldo's absence and he looks to finally be taking it. His three goals in three games, even if against weaker opposition in meaningless matches, is already better than his tally for the entirety of last season. Granted, it should be more as he wasted two good opportunities against Palace, but he's getting in the right areas for the chances and showing he has the necessary instincts to be the central striker.
Either side of Martial, Jadon Sancho and Marcus Rashford have also been getting amongst the goals, scoring two each, and look rejuvenated themselves. Both of them are back on their favoured flanks and, in unison, the three forwards are showing they could well make a dynamic, deadly and thrilling attacking trio.
If their progress continues it's hard to see why Ten Hag wouldn't stick with them when the Premier League begins. Which leaves Ronaldo in a precarious position.
The Portuguese put his neck on the block when he made his wish to leave so public and now no one has come in for him. Chelsea were said to be interested but Thomas Tuchel appears to have rejected the idea. Bayern Munich were linked but even after losing Robert Lewandowski have turned him down. Atletico Madrid were the latest club touted but that doesn't appear likely either. Who else is there?
Reports on Thursday suggest that Ronaldo's agent Jorge Mendes is desperately trying to find him a new club and he is apparently even willing to take a pay cut but still no suitors have come forward. At least none at the upper echelon of the Champions League where Ronaldo still sees himself.
Unfortunately for Ronaldo, none of those clubs appear to see him in the same light. There's no doubt he can still score goals, he bagged 24 times last season, but United as a team regressed. They didn't score as many as they did the previous year, they couldn't press and had to reshape the team to accommodate him. The best teams won't risk disrupting everything for an ageing megastar whose best days are now behind him.
And now his spot at the club he is still contracted to is under severe threat. With Ronaldo at home, United have got on with business without him and that initial frightening reality of life without their top scorer doesn't seem so daunting at all. In fact, it actually seems... better.
United have continued to maintain that Ronaldo isn't for sale while Ten Hag has repeatedly stated he is excited to work with him. But, at this point, his plans surely can't contain Ronaldo as a starter. He hasn't got the pressing capabilities or the mobility to work in a typical Ten Hag attack and hasn't been with the squad to train under the new manager and learn his methods. If he does come back in he is already miles behind.
Whether Ronaldo manages to find his escape route or is forced to stay he has been dealt a big reality check on his current standing in the game and even at Old Trafford. The future is looking bright for United and it's telling that he isn't in it.
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