Remarkably, less than a year after his emotional return, Manchester United are now ready to ease Cristiano Ronaldo's exit.

When the Portuguese icon returned to Old Trafford last summer, he received a hero's welcome reserved for very few

Remarkably, less than a year after his emotional return, Manchester United are now ready to ease Cristiano Ronaldo's exit.

His second home debut was closer to a coronation than a football match, with thousands and thousands ready to toast their returning legend.

And at least on that balmy September afternoon, Ronaldo played and scored twice in a 4-1 win over Newcastle United. King back on the throne.

Or so it seemed. But Ronaldo knew he was returning to a very different Manchester United to the one he left in 2009

Where Sir Alex Ferguson once was in the basement, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was now. And where there was once a side full of world-class individuals,

Where Sir Alex Ferguson once was in the basement, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was now. And where there was once a side full of world-class individuals,