Michael Carrick's gift to Erik ten Hag can help solve Man United's Cristiano Ronaldo crisis

It would not be very 'Cristiano Ronaldo' to encounter the hectic scenes we mere mortals have to contend with while hatching our plans for a summer getaway. But in the ever-crowded Manchester departure lounge, there will be one rather notable absentee on Friday morning.

Of course, those alarming issues in economy class will be side-stepped by Erik ten Hag and his Ronaldo-less squad when they fly out to Australia - with stops in Thailand and Norway either side - yet the new manager has one early problem to solve to prevent his pre-season plans from going down under.

When the Dutchman was appointed to kick off a new era, a significant amount of focus was on that man Ronaldo and how the five-time Ballon d'Or winner might fit into his side and what he would give Ten Hag with his penchant for high-intensity. Concerns were alleviated in one simple word.

READ MORE: United reiterate Ronaldo stance

On his first outing in front of the world's media as United manager, Ten Hag was pressed on that very subject and his answer - "goals" - was coupled with a scoff as if to showcase his disbelief at the question. Ronaldo provided 24 examples to underline that faith last season as a nightmare unfolded around him.

Fast forward to the present and those barely believable scares have, generally, been replaced with revived dreams except for one unthinkable scenario. But will Ronaldo be sold amid reported interest from Chelsea?

When United sanctioned his return last summer, Ronaldo was never going to be the long-term solution. However, he was the talisman that United desperately needed in the interim.

Despite suggestions to the contrary, Ronaldo is not the problem at Old Trafford. However, while the team lack any natural replacement for him,