Manchester United and Cristiano Ronaldo are running out of ways to find a happy ending to a story that promised so much.
The returning hero was part of the major overhaul last summer, with Ronaldo fronting a United project that had been several years in the making.
With other long-term transfer targets brought in, the sleeping giant finally had a team capable of challenging for the title, with Ronaldo primed to finish off his glittering career on the ultimate high – back at the club who put a scrawny teenager from Madeira on the map.
Fast-forward 18 months, and it is safe to say things haven’t gone to plan. In fact, after his latest tantrum when he left a dazzling United display against Tottenham early, heading down the tunnel and out of the stadium before the final whistle, one of the greatest players in history has driven his club to consider the unthinkable – releasing him early from his contract.
Club sources have told i that an exit strategy is being considered, and if no suitor can be found by super-agent Jorge Mendes, United may be willing to cut their losses and let him go on a free in January.
What’s more, the club announced Ronaldo will not be part of the squad to face Chelsea on Saturday. i understands Erik ten Hag made the decision as a direct punishment, and the club are firmly backing him.
No decision has been made as to what to do with sulking Ronaldo in the long term as yet, with the dust still to settle after Wednesday’s nadir in the relationship. But the fact the club may be even willing to get him off the books, and take such a big loss, tells you all you need to know about where we are at in the saga.
Mendes has been looking for a new club for his star client since the summer, when it became clear Erik ten Hag was not afraid to leave the superstar on the bench.
His astronomical wages, and an ego to match, have put off the majority of clubs Ronaldo would be willing to see out his final days with.
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The toys have gone everywhere on several occasions this season, but Ten Hag has made his position clear, to which he deserves a great deal of credit. Dealing with an ego like Ronaldo and all that comes with him – the army of ex-team-mates calling for him to get more game time, the global fan base, the constant media attention – is not easy, especially for a coach finding his feet at one of the biggest clubs in the world.
Not only has the Dutchman stuck to his guns and given Ronaldo just two Premier League starts all season, he has also not shirked questions about the methods behind his tough decision-making.
“I don’t pay attention today, we will deal with that tomorrow,” he said after Wednesday’s incident, clearly annoyed the focus was taken off such a scintillating United display. “I want to focus on this team, on these 11 players.
“Against Tottenham, you need good pressing, good counter-pressing. So you need good pressing players. Offensive wise you need that dynamic. That’s what Marcus [Rashford] brings.”
He has wasted no time taking action this time around too. Ten Hag was very open to having Ronaldo as his main striker this season. It is understood he wanted the veteran striker to be an Eric Cantona-type figurehead, one for younger forwards to learn from.
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That thinking has very much changed, with the relationship between player and manager almost untenable.
January seems like a long way away, but some around the club feel it cannot come soon enough. Ronaldo’s return, on the whole, has done more harm than good.
Yes, there were goals last season, but his lack of team-work was detrimental to the cause – something Ten Hag is becoming increasingly aware of.
Even the United moneymen will be starting to lose interest. No game time severely diminishes his marketability.
As a result, the end seems nigh. A happy ending a near impossibility. Even on a free transfer, it remains to be seen which clubs Ronaldo would see as suitable could afford his wages.
But United are getting to a point where they won’t care where he ends up, as long it is not around M16.
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