Manchester United cannot risk Cristiano Ronaldo's legacy with shock transfer decision

The two words 'BACK HOME' were printed in bold capitals across the front page of the Manchester Evening News after Cristiano Ronaldo re-signed for Manchester United in August last year. It was the story of the summer and a fairytale return.

"I'm so happy to be home," Ronaldo admitted in his first interview back at the club. The move suited all parties, but it quickly became apparent after just a few weeks into the season that Ronaldo's return wasn't going to be what he expected.

Although Ronaldo scored twice on his second debut against Newcastle, defeats against BSC Young Boys, West Ham and Aston Villa followed. Ronaldo walked straight off the pitch and down the tunnel after the defeat to Villa at Old Trafford, and he did it again after United drew 1-1 with Everton in the Premier League just one week later.

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Ronaldo had scored an injury-time winner against Villarreal in the Champions League in between those two defeats. He was performing but United were capitulating around him.

United's performances and results worsened, but they could have been much worse without Ronaldo's interventions. He single-handedly kept United in the Champions League with goals against Villarreal and Atalanta at Old Trafford and Bergamo.

Ronaldo was helpless in preventing Liverpool from humiliating the club, but sources after that debacle outlined that he was holding the dressing room together and that he had encouraged teammates to support the ill-fated Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

Although United endured the worst season at the club for decades last term, Ronaldo scored 24 goals across all competitions and he was one of only two players — David de Gea