It always felt unlikely this summer would pass without some speculation around Cristiano Ronaldo and, as Manchester United prepare to open the gates of Carrington once again, the future of their star man is being debated.
With around 15 members of Erik ten Hag's squad returning for pre-season tomorrow — but not Ronaldo — the last thing the new manager needed was a distraction centring on one of the most talked-about players in the game.
United have failed to strengthen Ten Hag's ranks before the first day of pre-season and the last thing they need is the only striker left on their books announcing he wants to go.
