Throughout his time at the club, there was a tedious debate about whether or not Manchester United were better off without Cristiano Ronaldo.
It was a polarising argument, one that pitted his impressive goal output against his overall impact on the team, with no definitive answer—not that everyone would have agreed with one anyway.
United now have no other option but to move on from Ronaldo. Whether or not he was a help or a hindrance doesn’t matter anymore, but some clarity on his role is still required as they go in search of a replacement in the coming weeks.
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Erik ten Hag has already advised the United board to back him with a new signing in January, though he appreciates that the club had no plans to do so originally, given that they spent more money last summer than they had initially intended.
The Dutchman is grateful and indebted to United for putting such trust in him already, and while he has certainly shown enough to vindicate further financial backing, it would also be understandable if the club was hesitant to do so.
United will certainly weigh up their options in January and consider signing a player if they add real value to the squad, fit in with the long-term philosophy, and still represent some value for money. It is all easier said than done.
Given that many top targets will effectively be off limits until next summer at least, United’s approach in the January window will likely be defined by who is available rather than who they want.
The most interesting factor of all those will be just how the striker fits into the squad and what type of player Ten Hag wants in his side going forward.
United have played their best football this season when they have utilised a mobile centre-forward like Anthony Martial, but the loss of Ronaldo leaves them without a more traditional focal point in attack if they need to change their approach.
It is a similar dilemma to the one Ole Gunnar Solskjaer had when he was in charge of the club. United reached their peak under Solskjaer with a fluid forward line that focused on mobility and movement, but he still sought strikers who would be ‘willing to break their nose’ to score a goal.
United signed Odion Ighalo, Edinson Cavani, and then Ronaldo himself, a trio of strikers who all offered something different in the final third, not only with their hold-up play but as targets for their crosses into the box.
This is especially important given the passing quality coming out of midfield right now. United have the creativity to break down defensive sides with precise passing, but that approach only works if they have someone on the other end of it as well.
It presents Ten Hag with a difficult dilemma in his search for a new forward, given that no matter who he pursues, they must fit into the overall vision he has for his side going forward.
There is an argument to suggest that another mobile forward is needed so that United have a direct replacement for Martial when necessary, but the demise of Ronaldo should not mean that more traditional central strikers should be discounted entirely either.
It will be fascinating to see what type of player they pursue next year, and whoever it is will shed clear light on Ten Hag's long-term vision for the team.
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