Cristiano Ronaldo is in limbo over his future at Manchester United after he announced he wants to leave for a Champions League club.
United are desperate to retain the 37-year-old's services, but Ronaldo knows his playing days are nearly over and he wants to make the most of his career to ensure he continues breaking records at the highest level.
Erik ten Hag will have considered letting the forward leave as it may not be advisable to keep a player who publicly wants out. But it seems the Dutchman is still determined to change Ronaldo's mind and is hopeful he'll represent Man United this coming season.
"I cannot wait for [Ronaldo] to come in and then we will integrate him," the Man United boss recently announced, before he held crunch talks with the forward and his long-term agent, Jorge Mendes, at the club's Carrington base.
Ten Hag's reason for wanting Ronaldo to stick around for his first season in charge makes sense for a number of reasons.
The Portugal international was United's top goalscorer last season with 18 strikes in the Premier League. From a business perspective, Ronaldo also boosts the club's universal appeal, which in turn increases revenues.
But it's not just the financial benefits Ronaldo brings to United behind the scenes, he also has a hugely positive influence on the squad - and could hold the key to Ten Hag restoring harmony within the Red Devils' ranks.
Former Man United goalkeeper Lee Grant spoke out last year about the positive impact Ronaldo's behaviour was having on players behind the scenes.
Grant told Talksport: "To give you one instance of the impact he is having on the group, this was Friday night in the hotel.
"So, as you guys will be aware, you finish your dinner and usually on a Friday night you've got some cheat stuff out. You've got some apple crumble and custard or you've got a bit of brownie and cream.
"I tell you now, not one player touched the apple crumble and custard, not one player went up for that brownie because everybody was sat down.
"One of the lads said to me, 'What has Cristiano got on his plate?' Obviously, it is the cleanest, most healthy plate you can imagine."
Former Man United forward Dimitar Berbatov also spoke out on the player he knew during Ronaldo's first spell at the Old Trafford club.
In an interview with Mirror Football, he highlighted how the forward's infectiously positive behaviour benefitted the entire squad.
Berbatov said: "[He was] always sure of himself and his quality. I never saw him miss a training session, not ever to be honest.
"He was always training the right way and always stayed late after a training session to work on his free-kicks and his cutting into the box and shooting.
"Even after that, it was to the gym and then the swimming pool to take care of himself so he could get faster, stronger, well-balanced and we saw the results after that."
He added: "In football, there is a hierarchy when someone like Ronaldo comes into the team you give him the respect he deserves.
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"It is all there, all that he has achieved, and I think it's up to him to speak to the players and give them advice and help them develop."
Ten Hag inherited a broken Red Devils side on the back of their worst ever season in the Premier League and has vowed to restore unity.
His job will become much easier with Ronaldo on side, as the five-time Ballon d'Or winner is the perfect role model for the rest of his squad.
