Cristiano Ronaldo's return comes amid signs of optimism for Manchester United

It had been a long three months for Cristiano Ronaldo’s adoring public, starved of seeing their hero in action.

They have been told that Ronaldo is not suited to how Manchester United want to play, while the man himself is desperate to leave. But on his first appearance since United’s chastening 4-0 defeat at Brighton in early May, there was nothing but love for the veteran superstar as his side finished their pre-season off with a 1-1 draw against Rayo Vallecano at Old Trafford.

It is anyone’s guess whether he will even don the red shirt again, as the transfer saga of the summer looks set to rumble on. The 37-year-old’s 45-minute cameo was full of enthusiasm and drive to persuade his enamoured fanbase that staying in Manchester is still on the table nonetheless.

But what will have pleased new coach Erik ten Hag most, given how frustrated he was with his side’s performance in their 1-0 defeat to Atletico Madrid on Saturday in Oslo, was how two new arrivals got their feet under the table right from the off on their United bow.

Ten Hag shoehorned this extra friendly in, less than 24 hours after their previous one, specifically to get a look a three players, in Ronaldo, Christian Eriksen and Lisandro Martinez.

Ronaldo, who Ten Hag said after the Atletico loss was a “long way off” the rest of the squad in terms of fitness given he missed the club’s pre-season tour for “family reasons”, looked especially up for it.

He had fans off their seats at Old Trafford after only 12 minutes having dragged the ball on to his left foot before firing just over.

First appearance in United red