Steve McClaren's mystic prediction over Cristiano Ronaldo could make his potential return to the club awkward after the ex- Manchester United assistant claimed the 37-year-old would "make or break" Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's reign as manager.
The former England manager has already enjoyed one period at Old Trafford when he was second in command to Sir Alex Ferguson from 1999 to 2001. During that time, McClaren helped the Red Devils win their historic Premier League, Champions League and FA Cup treble in what was his first season at the club.
Recent reports have suggested that McClaren could make a comeback as Erik ten Hag's assistant in what would be a role reversal of the 2008/09 campaign. It was that season that saw the pair first work together at FC Twente when McClaren was manager with Ten Hag as his deputy.
United's search for a permanent managerial appointment to succeed Ralf Rangnick once his interim tenure ends continues, but Ten Hag is now viewed as the most likely figure to become the club's next long-term manager. With that in mind, the Guardian claim the current Ajax boss would be keen on reigniting his partnership with McClaren at Old Trafford.
He is not the first notable name to be linked with Ten Hag's potential assistant vacancy as Robin van Persie and Ruud van Nistelrooy have also both been touted for the deputy position. However, if McClaren is to get the gig he'll come face-to-face with Ronaldo.
The Portuguese superstar is United's top goal scorer this term, but question marks over whether he is harmful to the overall tactical plan have marred his return. McClaren's claim earlier on this season that overseeing the return of Ronaldo was a risky move from Solskjaer's perspective ended up ringing true.
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"You see from his [Ronaldo's] body language, you saw it from the game against Atalanta, he's driving the team on, it's reminding me a little bit like Roy Keane," McClaren explained.
"He was more vocal, direct, honest but I see that body language that I need more from these players, we've got to do more. Bringing in a person into the dressing room like that can make or break you. He can do the job, he can do it.
"What you have to do is use him, he's the solution but he's also the problem, if you don't handle him right then that can be a problem for the manager."
It would be harsh to put Solskjaer's sacking last November entirely down to the way he handled Ronaldo, especially given there was no reported falling out between the pair. On the other hand, there were rumours Ronaldo's 'win at all costs' mentality did not align particularly well with other members of the United side.
