Edinson Cavani's insight into the view of Cristiano Ronaldo from inside the Manchester United dressing room has shed light on the conundrum facing Erik ten Hag.
Ten Hag has taken over as United's new permanent manager and is beginning to draw up his plans for the summer transfer window. At the top of his decision-making list is the future of Ronaldo, who returned to Old Trafford ahead of the campaign just gone.
It was a desperately disappointing season for the Red Devils, but Ronaldo still managed to score 24 goals in all competitions. Despite that return, there are major doubts over his future in Manchester, with Ten Hag set to introduce a high-pressing style.
There are concerns about Ronaldo's suitability to such a system, prompting some to suggest he could leave after just a year back at United. But Cavani, who has been his team-mate this season, has added his own argument to the mix, highlighting Ronaldo as United's best player this term.
“I think that the stand-out player for us this season, and someone who did show a little bit more consistency, playing well regularly and always being there for us, has been Cristiano [Ronaldo]," Cavani told MUTV.
"I think that, apart from having a short period when he wasn’t getting on the scoresheet, which can happen when you are a striker, Cristiano was probably our one player who showed the most consistency.
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"After him comes David [De Gea], as he has also been one of the most consistent performers in the squad, so together, they have been the most consistent and best players in the squad from our season this time around."
Cavani's insight only adds to the conundrum that Ten Hag is facing when it comes to his plans for Ronaldo. His standing in the squad is clearly high, meaning that a departure would likely prove to be unpopular.
But the new United boss has also been told that he must sell the Portuguese superstar to make his reign a success. Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher has frequently criticised United's decision to bring Ronaldo back and has now encouraged Ten Hag to cut him loose.
"It was like making that big bold decision straight away that makes everyone sit up and take note. I’m convinced that Ten Hag has got to do it with Ronaldo, whether he’s allowed to or not. I’ve said this consistently throughout this season: that was not a good signing," Carragher told The Overlap.
"Ronaldo is a million times a better player than I ever was, I am not fit to lace his boots obviously but I’m not saying that to be disrespectful to him – he’s amazing – but Ronaldo has never played in a team this bad. Man United can’t go into next season with a centre-forward who will be 38, even if he does score goals. That’s not right for Man United."
The decision that Ten Hag makes on Ronaldo will likely define his time at Old Trafford. The Dutchman has a huge call to make and Cavani's contrasting insight to Carragher's will not have helped him to find a clear path to making it.
