When Erik ten Hag was driven through the Carrington gates for the first time a week last Monday for the start of Manchester United's pre-season preparations, he would have been expecting Cristiano Ronaldo to follow suit seven days later.
However, the five-time Ballon d'Or winner is yet to make an appearance in at United's training ground this side of the summer break, failing to report for training on Monday and Tuesday, with his absence being cited as because of "family reasons." Ronaldo wants to leave Old Trafford this summer in pursuit of Champions League football, following the club's failure to qualify for the competition this forthcoming season.
The Manchester Evening News also understands that Ronaldo wants to leave the club because he is disappointed with United's lack of recruitment so far this summer and is "upset" about the squad being forced to accept a 25 per cent reduction in their salaries — as a result of failing to qualify for the Champions League. The prospect of losing him is the last thing Ten Hag and United needed with the new season looming.
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As things stand, United remain in the dark about when Ronaldo will return to Carrington and whether or not he will be part of the squad that is scheduled to fly on pre-season tour to Thailand on Friday. All eyes will be on Ten Hag later this week to see who he names in his squad and if Ronaldo makes the cut.
Given the uncertainty surrounding Ronaldo's future — despite United reiterating that he is not for sale — it is a situation the club needs to resolve as quickly as possible. They have already waved goodbye to one striker this summer in the shape of Edinson Cavani and they can ill-afford to lose another, especially someone of Ronaldo's ilk.
But if the situation drags on and he is not included in the tour of Thailand and Australia, Ten Hag is going to have experiment with his attacking options. United wouldn't have any senior No.9s in their squad without Ronaldo, prompting question marks over where the goals will come from. Marcus Rashford is the obvious candidate to fill in for Ronaldo, but his best position is out wide.
That means that the door could be left ajar for Alejandro Garnacho to prove his worth. Instrumental in helping the club secure their first FA Youth Cup crown since 2011 last season, the 17-year-old is already winning rave reviews from fans desperate to see him in the first-team more often. He is an exciting talent and his potential is already being hyped up, so much so that some people believe he could go on to become a household name around Old Trafford for years to come.
While suggesting that Garnacho would be the ideal candidate to directly replace Ronaldo, should he leave, is extravagant for a whole catalogue of reasons — not least the latter's iconic status in the game and the legacy he has set — the prospect of the former Real Madrid man not being present on the tour should give opportunities to Garnacho in the upcoming friendlies.
Ten Hag is known for blooding youngsters, so Garnacho will fancy his chances of earning an opportunity to impress over the next few weeks. He is a quick, skilful and highly exciting young player, meaning he should only develop further by getting the chance to rub shoulders with the likes of Bruno Fernandes and Jadon Sancho.
Pre-season is also the perfect time for managers to tinker and experiment. Garnacho, amid the uncertainty of whether or not Ronaldo will head on the tour, could take full advantage of that.
The Argentine will hope to be on the plane on Friday, regardless of whether or not Ronaldo joins him. But if the latter doesn't require a boarding pass, Garnacho could take full advantage, with Ten Hag trialling him and others in the a central-striker position. Having that expectation on his shoulders, even though there are no prizes for winning friendlies, could only strengthen Garnacho's development and give his manager something to think about.
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