Manchester United fans believe the club should say goodbye to Cristiano Ronaldo this summer but his future certainly splits opinion.
It has been far from the glorious comeback Ronaldo perhaps envisaged when he returned to United last summer, 12 years on from his departure for Real Madrid in 2009. The Portuguese went on to win every possible trophy on multiple occasions in the Spanish capital and aimed to continue to lift silverware back at Old Trafford.
“I think it’s the best decision that I have made," he told United's official site upon signing for the club from Juventus. "It’s right on point in my opinion. I moved from Juve now to Manchester, it’s a new chapter, I’m so happy and glad, and I want to carry on again, to make history, to try to help Manchester achieve great results, to win trophies and number one of them, to win great things.”
ALSO READ: Only nine Manchester United players might be truly committed in this shambolic squad
Things haven't panned out that way in the slightest. A season that already had high expectations following the signings of Jadon Sancho and Raphael Varane, which only increased upon Ronaldo's arrival, has failed by every possible measure.
There was hope that United would end their trophy drought but they haven't come close to winning any competition and it would now take a miracle for them even to qualify for next season's Champions League. There have been heavy, humbling defeats to fierce rivals and humiliating results to clubs at the bottom of the table. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has been sacked and interim manager Ralf Rangnick has done no better. The football has been boring, the players have been uninspiring and the year has been an absolute disaster.
As a result, doubt has been cast as to whether Ronaldo will still be at the club for the start of the next season. While the decision might be out of United's hands if he decides to push to leave due to a lack of Champions League football, United will need to consider whether it's worth keeping him even if he does want to stay.
Ronaldo has had his hand in the terrible year, too. Though it could be argued that United would be even worse off without him as he is by far the top scorer on 18 goals, scoring twice as many as the next best scorer, his arrival undoubtedly changed how Solskjaer lined up his team.
While the Norwegian's tactics weren't exactly excellent, he had set his side up to be lethal on the counter and attack with their pacey, incisive forwards. Ronaldo's forced inclusion disrupted that way of playing, which did achieve good results the previous season, and the manager couldn't adapt. Costing him his job.
Ronaldo still has undoubted quality but the gaps between his moments of magic are becoming larger. Though he has 18 strikes only four of them have come since the turn of the year and three came in a single match. The goals are drying up.
As well as that, at 37 Ronaldo just isn't as mobile or energetic as he used to be and he was hardly a renowned presser when at his peak. With him up front, United effectively play with 10 men when they don't have the ball as he offers very little contributions in closing down the opposition or winning the ball back.
Yet, there are obviously several reasons why the club should keep Ronaldo. He remains one of the best players in the world capable of doing things that no one else in the squad can. United are already low on attacking options as it is and they look likely to see Edinson Cavani and Anthony Martial depart in the summer as well. A new striker is already needed and another one will have to be signed should Ronaldo leave. That would be costly.
To add to that, in his first season back in Manchester, Ronaldo hasn't exactly played for great managers and perhaps the new coach the club brings in this summer could get the best out of him again?
ALSO READ: Ruben Neves wanted by Arsenal and Barcelona amid Manchester United transfer links
It's certainly a hard decision with plenty of pros and cons in each direction and that has been reflected in a close vote on the matter. MEN Sport asked United fans: "Should Manchester United look to move Cristiano Ronaldo on in the summer or keep him at Old Trafford?"
The narrow winner with 56 per cent of the 6,273 votes was for Ronaldo to leave, with the remaining 44 per cent of voters believing he should be kept. The club certainly have a tough call to make in just a few weeks.
Sign up to our United newsletter so you never miss an update from Old Trafford this season.
