Erik ten Hag might have some convincing to do to keep Cristiano Ronaldo at Manchester United - but there is an easy solution.
Much has been made of the impact that the Portuguese superstar has had on his second spell at Old Trafford. But there is no denying that without his goals, the Red Devils would be at rock bottom right now.
His 18 goals in the Premier League are the only reason why they could keep up with the likes of Arsenal and Tottenham in the top-four chase. And his six Champions League goals were the only reason they managed to qualify from their group.
United have ultimately failed in their objectives this season but that cannot be levelled at Ronaldo's door. If anything, he has looked the only able to muster something out of nothing.
And there are serious question marks that the five-time Ballon d'Or might ditch his romantic return to Manchester just one year in. Does he, at 37 and time running out, want to waste what little football he has left in his legs for the Europa League?
But while the sight of a frustrated Ronaldo has been common at Old Trafford this season, there was a distinct difference to his demeanour on Monday night. He was smiling.
The United talisman was putting on a show, busting out the party tricks and giving the home fans something to celebrate on the final game of the season at the Theatre of Dreams. In the first-half alone, there were four back heels from the former Real Madrid star and he was strutting his stuff.
Why? Because he was playing with someone technically gifted in the shape of Juan Mata, who he could bounce off of. The two were robbed of a goal and assist by the thinnest of margins when the pair combined in the first-half.
The Spaniard has been criminally underused this campaign - as he has been throughout his United career - and will be off this summer when his contract expires. The bottom line is that Ten Hag will have to wrestle with - who replaces him?
Surrounding Ronaldo with players like Mata who are gifted on the ball is exactly how the Dutchman can convince the veteran star that his remaining years are best served at United. It is how you get the best out of him, while the current crop cannot be called outright technicians.
There will be much talk of a squad revamp at United this summer and Ten Hag will have a busy few months finding the right profile to arrive. Nearly every position needs strengthening - a defender, a defensive midfielder and a striker are the priorities.
But what should not go under the radar is the need for a pure playmaker, who can put a ball on a tuppence and can leave opponents dizzy. There are few left in football and even fewer on the market - but that should be Ten Hag's main goal if he wants to keep Ronaldo.
