Will he stay or will he go? Cristiano Ronaldo is the talking point at Manchester United despite not yet lacing up his boots for pre-season training at their Carrington base.
Ronaldo, 37, missed the summer tour to Thailand and Australia due to a family matter and amid continued speculation over his Old Trafford future. His second coming may be brought to a premature end as newly appointed manager Erik ten Hag continues to set about his summer rebuild.
United have signed Tyrell Malacia, Christian Eriksen and Lisandro Martinez this summer and further recruits are well and truly on the radar. Frenkie de Jong remains the priority target and Ten Hag wants another defender and back-up goalkeeper to offset Dean Henderson leaving.
READ MORE: United seek clarification on Ronaldo
Denzel Dumfries has been mooted as a potential option at right-back and reports state he could be made available for transfer by Inter Milan despite only signing for them last summer. Diogo Dalot has impressed in that role, though, starting in all four pre-season friendlies to this stage.
Malacia and Eriksen add strength in depth and Martinez is expected to be first choice centre-back next season. But what other business will Ten Hag get over the line before formulating his perfect starting XI?
De Jong will almost-certainly become a focal point should United receive positive news in their pursuit for him and the current attacking quartet - Jadon Sancho, Bruno Fernandes, Marcus Rashford and a rejuvenated Anthony Martial - have impressed with their combination play under Ten Hag this summer.
It has given United some light at the end of the tunnel should Ronaldo depart. Him leaving would, also, prompt Ten Hag into signing another attack-minded option with Ajax player Antony on the shopping list if the manager gets his way with his former employers.
Here is one way United could line-up under Ten Hag next season. However, other players such as Raphael Varane, Scott McTominay, Dalot, Malacia and Eriksen will, also, be factored in depending on rotation or an alternative plan based on form and opponents in various competitions.
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