Cristiano Ronaldo may leave Manchester United this summer but that doesn't have to be a bad thing.
It's now been over three weeks since Ronaldo made public his wish to leave United, just a year after his return to Old Trafford, and plunged the mood around the club into further doom and gloom. However, a successful pre-season tour full of exciting football as Erik ten Hag's methods take root has begun to disperse those clouds.
With three victories and a draw, but more importantly dominant performances full of intricate passing, lightning counterattacks and coordinated passing in Thailand and Australia have shown a glimpse of a possible future without Ronaldo and it's looking bright. Despite the five-time Ballon d'Or winner making his availability clear there has been a lack of suitors to take him away from Manchester.
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Ronaldo was back at Carrington, along with his agent Jorge Mendes, on Tuesday to hold crunch talks on his future but he comes into them from a weaker position, with no interest and United looking promising without him. It's all in the club's hands.
Should Ronaldo finally get his wish and leave the club for a second time, there are actually three players who could really benefit.
Anthony Martial
The most obvious, of course, is Anthony Martial. After a dreadful past season in which he got his request to leave granted but went on to stink the place out on loan at Sevilla, the Frenchman's days at United looked numbered at the start of the summer.
But what a turnaround it's been. With Ronaldo absent from the tour, Martial was given the task of leading the line. He may not have deserved the chance to do so once again but he has grasped it with both hands. In four games he scored three times but even more impressively was always in the heart of the action, playing important roles in goals, holding the ball up, flicking it on, linking midfield and attack, trying audacious tricks and nearly everything he tried paid off.
Martial already looks completely rejuvenated and if Ronaldo does depart he will have a clear shot at finally being United's No.1 striker. If he can continue the momentum he has built in pre-season then he is in for a great campaign.
Jadon Sancho
When United finally got their hands on Jadon Sancho at the fourth attempt last summer he look primed to take the Premier League by storm. He had just come off the back of another excellent season and Borussia Dortmund and, as the club's marquee signing, was going to transform Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's attack.
However, on deadline day Ronaldo arrived and left Sancho completely overshadowed. The signing meant United's attack had to be rejigged to accommodate Ronaldo and Sancho was then shifted to his less-favoured left-flank and, already dealing with adapting to a new league and a complete lack of tactical attacking, was left to struggle. He showed flashes but they were few and far between.
But now he seems to have been given a renewed vigour and looks to have found his confidence again after returning to the right wing. If Ronaldo goes, Sancho will be an integral part of a much more dynamic attack which will suit his strengths better as has already been seen. He'll probably get the No.7 shirt, too.
Bruno Fernandes
What happens to a talisman when an even bigger talisman arrives? Exactly what happened to Bruno Fernandes, that's what. After being signed in January 2020, Fernandes was transformative to United and had a stunning 18 months. He quickly became the focal point of the side and the one his teammates looked to make things happen.
But since Ronaldo came in he has regressed significantly, with his fellow countryman taking the mantel off him, seeing his goal contributions being halved. Fernandes may be gutted to see his compatriot leave but being able to be the main man again could benefit him massively.
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