It's easy to say that Cristiano Ronaldo's return to Manchester United hasn't gone nearly as well as the Portuguese star had hoped.

The euphoria that greeted Ronaldo's return to the club 12 years after his departure to Real Madrid has been utterly extinguished by the dismal season that has ensued after his return. Since his initial Old Trafford departure, the five-time Ballon d'Or winner has won every trophy imaginable, and he intends to continue the winning streak when he returns to Manchester United.

"I believe it is the best decision I have ever made," says the author "In an interview with the club's official website, he explained why he chose United over Juventus. "It is, in my opinion, perfectly on point. Having left Juve, I've started a new chapter in my life with Manchester United, and I'm excited about it. I want to make history, help the club achieve great achievements, win trophies, and be number one, and to win big things."

For the fifth year in a row, however, Manchester United has come nothing near winning anything in another season of upheaval. Furthermore, rather than attempting to win the Champions League, United will very definitely fail to qualify for the next season's edition of the competition.

In order for United to turn around their poor run and claw back the points that Tottenham and Arsenal have gained on them in the race for fourth place, it will take a miracle, and as a result, Ronaldo's future is in doubt just a year after his return to the Premier League.

When the competition was known as the UEFA Cup, the Portuguese international played for Sporting Lisbon as a teenager. With his name becoming synonymous with Europe's premier competition, it's tough to see him agreeing to play on Thursday nights in one of the final years of his professional career.

Ronaldo's contract has one year left on it, with the option to extend it by another 12 months. As a result, the club will have to make a choice on what to do with its aging star before the summer transfer window shuts down.

Manchester United's dilemma with Cristiano Ronaldo has been debated by MEN writers.

Samuel Luckhurst is a fictional character created by author Samuel Luckhurst.

As they contemplate Ronaldo's future, it is an odd state of affairs to find themselves willing to follow the advice of an ad hoc coach who has previously worked at Hoffenheim, Schalke and RB Leipzig. Ralf Rangnick's opinion is no longer valid, and he is already phasing out several Manchester United careers as a result. I think it would be rude of us to throw Ronaldo in the same trash can as them.

Ronaldo has scored twice as many goals as their next highest scorer despite all the pseudo-intellectual analysis around him this season. United have won one of the nine games in which he hasn't started, and Ronaldo has scored twice as many goals as their next top scorer. Premier League and Champions League goals have been scored so far this season, with half of them coming in the second half of games.

The fact that Ronaldo tracked back into his own area against Tottenham was almost as impressive as his first goal against them. He has become more immobile (what footballer isn't when he's 37?) Other managers, on the other hand, have had success with Ronaldo, the 30-year-old centre striker.

If Cristiano Ronaldo wants to continue playing in a season in which he may not get Thursday nights off, Erik ten Hag will have to make the most of his opportunities by rotating him with a more youthful striker. He would then be able to consider both short- and long-term possibilities.

Manchester United may have made a mistake in signing Rich Fay Ronaldo last summer, but he has had an enormous impact on the team this season, despite the fact that his demands have upset an otherwise placid dressing room.

Cristiano Ronaldo scores against Tottenham

United would be foolish to allow him depart despite his fantastic scoring record. However, if he is content to stay for one more season, then the club would be foolish to let him go. He is not only a wonderful asset to have in the squad, but he is also an incredible role model for his colleagues, and having him as a constant throughout the season would be a blessing in the coming season.

United should consider buying a younger forward for next season, since this would be the ideal succession plan for the club. A new acquisition would learn from the best ever goalscorer before stepping up to try and replace him in a year's time, as has previously been advised by Rangnick.

Whatever Ten Hag wishes to do in his first summer as manager must be followed by the rest of the club, regardless of who is in charge.

Daniel Murphy
With only four players having scored more league goals than Ronaldo, it would be a mistake for United to let him go unless they are forced to. Ronaldo is clearly a fading force now, but he is still one of the Premier League's most dangerous finishers.

Manchester United's next manager will have a restricted number of options in front of goal after Edinson Cavani's imminent exit and with Anthony Martial and Mason Greenwood out of the picture, his options will be severely constrained. Summer transfer market needs another striker and if Cristiano Ronaldo leaves, that would necessitate a new acquisition when other parts of the team need attention.

Also, despite the fact that Ronaldo is losing a yard of pace and that his lack of pressing off the ball frequently causes United to be stifled, the fact that he has played under two less-than-stellar coaches this season raises the possibility that he could return to his best under a manager who designs a better system for him to play in. If Ronaldo wishes to remain at United, the club should commit to keeping him for at least another year.