Manchester United have a plan for Cristiano Ronaldo's second season

On a night a walkout was threatened, two players with a combined age of 71 played at anything but walking pace. Juan Mata and Cristiano Ronaldo's names were chanted by the tens of thousands of Manchester United supporters who remained in their seats for the lap of honour.

Mata was still stood outside Old Trafford as midnight loomed, signing autographs and posing for selfies with the last few supporters milling around the players' car park Nobody left disappointed.

Ronaldo has excelled at quick getaways as much as finishing this season yet was upbeat as he applauded the matchgoers. "I'm not finished," he uttered in front of the on-pitch cameraman. Those three words are ambiguous though Ronaldo's body language must be as reassuring for United supporters as his phenomenal performance level in the last two months.

READ MORE: Mata and Ronaldo get what they deserve from United fans

"As far as I know, he will be here next season again," Ralf Rangnick told one of the rights holders when pressed on Ronaldo's future. Rangnick's opinion has been devalued by confirmation of Erik ten Hag's appointment and the German's dual role with the Austria national team. He is merely a sounding board for the football director John Murtough.

Rangnick has been borderline ungrateful to Ronaldo after hat-tricks, determined to remain consistent in his assessment that Ronaldo's role at United next season is tenuous. Gradually, Rangnick is warming to Ronaldo retaining an integral role under Ten Hag.

Ronaldo has two games to match the 26 goals he tallied in his last United season in 2008-09 when he turned 24. On an individual basis, his season is already a success: 24 goals; 18 in the Premier League and six in the Champions League, with Premier League