Sir Alex Ferguson used to bang the drum about no player ever being bigger than Manchester United.
But in the case of Cristiano Ronaldo, even Fergie might have to make an exception. Ronaldo's long farewell to the United fans this week following his side's final home game of the season against Brentford felt like the end of his second coming in Manchester. When Ronaldo agreed to re-join United last summer, Fergie had a hand in the deal.
He rang the Portuguese icon and told him his place was back at Old Trafford. The conversation left Ronaldo in no doubt as to what he had to do next, and it lasted less than 30 seconds. But the lure of going back to Old Trafford must now feel like some sort of trap to Ronaldo. While he has excelled and continued to score goals, like he's done wherever he's been, he's also found himself engulfed by mediocrity, disenchantment, upheaval and failure.
To be blunt, Ronaldo has been sold a dud. It wasn't supposed to be like this. He wanted to finish his career at United in the same vein he once started it there; by winning trophies. But even at the ripe old age of 37, Ronaldo has proved too good for the club.
While United still need him, he doesn't need them. He will now consider his options this summer and will not be short of offers. He knows United cannot fulfil his remaining ambitions and few could blame him if he turned his back on his spiritual home.
It was always in danger of being a vanity signing - and so it has proved.
He has carried United on his back at times this season but doesn't fit into the long-term plans of incoming manager Erik ten Hag, who faces the challenge of rebuilding a new team. So United fans will have to prepare for life without him once again - because the man himself deserves much better than what he's been subjected to this season.
