Crisis? What Crisis?* *The Big Ronaldo One

Erik Ten Hag has a crisis on his hands – before his new team has even kicked a ball for him.

- Jeremy Cross

Welcome to Manchester United, mate.

When Ten Hag took charge of the Red Devils at the start of this summer he was asked about whether or not Cristiano Ronaldo would be part of his plans.

“Ronaldo is a giant, because of what he’s already shown and I think he’s still very ambitious,” said Ten Hag. “Of course I would like to keep him.”

Less than two months later it has now dawned on the Dutchman that Ronaldo’s ambitions don’t include messing about in the Europa League with a team full of egotistical failures who will win zero trophies next season.

Ten Hag has been naive to think he could keep Ronaldo at Old Trafford, but he was right about one thing.

Ronaldo is a “giant” – and it means one of the greatest footballers of all time has earned the right to decide where he plays.