Manchester United are proving Ralf Rangnick's transfer theory to be correct

When Manchester United confirmed that they had reached an agreement to bring Cristiano Ronaldo back to Old Trafford at 4:51pm on Friday, August 27 last summer, a quick glance at social media made you realise just how special a moment it was.

Just hours after being set to join City, Ronaldo was on the cusp of sealing a fairytale homecoming. It was a day no United supporter, or journalist covering the club, will ever forget. It was head-spinning few hours and in the words of Martin Tyler, I swear you'll never see anything like this ever again.

Despite signing Raphael Varane and Jadon Sancho earlier in the window, Ronaldo's return to Old Trafford was the headline moment. He instantly became the signing of the summer and all was rosy in United's garden.

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Now, following Saturday's defeat to Everton, United's garden is overgrown with weeds and in a state you'd expect to find it in as winter takes hold, not as Easter weekend looms. The Reds' latest embarrassment has all but ended their already faint Champions League hopes for next season.

Whilst the mathematics and statistics clearly show that United can still finish in the top-four, there is as much chance of it happening as Paul Pogba extending his contract beyond June 30. It's over.

Although United still have a greater chance of finishing in a Europa League or Europa Conference League berth, and that's if they can stomach that, all eyes are already on the summer and the expected arrival of Erik ten Hag. The size of the challenge awaiting the Dutchman is an enormous one and it is impossible to say just how many changes need to be made to the squad.

Considering United have now