Manchester United cannot be surprised by Cristiano Ronaldo's desire to leave Old Trafford, after the club endured their worst season of the Premier League era.
When Ronaldo rejoined United last summer, amid a frenzy of hype and hysteria, he stressed he had returned to win trophies not, in his own words, for “a holiday” in the twilight of what has been a glittering career.
United had just finished second in the Premier League, and with Raphael Varane and Jadon Sancho signed in addition to Ronaldo, there was the tangible prospect of a return to being title contenders alongside Manchester City and Liverpool.
