It’s remarkable to think that less than a year on from his emotional return, Manchester United are now ready to facilitate an exit for Cristiano Ronaldo.
When the Portuguese icon returned to Old Trafford last summer, he was given the kind of hero’s welcome reserved for the very few. His second home debut was closer to a coronation than a football match, with thousands upon thousands ready to toast their returning legend.
And on that balmy afternoon in September at least, Ronaldo delivered, scoring twice in a 4-1 victory over Newcastle United. The king back on his throne. Or so it appeared. But Ronaldo knew he was returning to a very different Manchester United to the one which he left in 2009 - one that had dominated English football for the best part of three decades.
