The Europa League. The Europa Conference League. After 19 consecutive seasons of playing in the Champions League, it’s unfathomable that Cristiano Ronaldo could be playing second-tier or even third-tier European football next season. As the competition’s all-time top scorer and with five wins to his name, he is essentially 'Mr Champions League'.
As he took to the field to face Norwich City on Saturday, it was almost as though there had been a stark realisation of his Manchester United side's possible fate.
Ronaldo hadn’t scored since a hat-trick against Tottenham Hotspur last month - a match with a mass at stake given the two sides’ bids for Champions League football. With United teetering on the edge of being out of the running one month later, it was Ronaldo who took ownership and stepped up once more against Norwich.
Although Anthony Elanga did the bulk of the work in dispossessing Ben Gibson, Ronaldo was lurking opportunely in anticipation and burst into life to latch onto his teammate's ball across to give United an uncharacteristically early lead. Naming three attack-minded midfielders in a bold approach, Ralf Rangnick had injected attacking impetus into the side which enabled Ronaldo to operate on the front foot.
Just after the half-hour mark, Ronaldo sealed a brace having attacked Alex Telles's corner to execute a trademark header, leaving Gibson no chance. There was a display of Ronaldo's intelligence through his intent - a seemingly certain knowingness of his opposition's defensive frailties.
The dart to the front post was sprightly and hardly resemblant of a player recently turned 37 years-old. Really, Ronaldo is just about the epitome of the saying 'age is just a number'.
The goal boosted Ronaldo's tally into the 20s for the season, marking the 16th consecutive campaign that he has achieved the milestone for his club. Still racking up such impressive numbers despite nearing the theoretical end of his career, it's proof that he still has more to give in the game that he has already given so much.
When provided with apt service, even if only a half-chance, he has still proven time and time again that he will seize the opportunity and score goals. Too often this season, the supply has been substandard or non-existent to the extent that Ronaldo's involvement has been frequently limited.
Essentially, he has surpassed the 20-goal mark in a team largely devoid of invention, which is testament to his otherworldly ability in from of goal.
He is obviously no long-term solution given his age, with Ronaldo himself admitting it's only a matter of years remaining before he calls it a day. But there is no doubt that prospective manager Erik ten Hag can still get good use out of him next season.
Whilst the acquisition of a young striker is a necessity given that Ronaldo is at the stage where he won't be able to play every match in a season, it's likely that he can still play a prolific role, especially if more creative outlets are developed. His performance against Norwich, as against Tottenham, proved the virtue he can still possess when surrounded by players who are able to provide chances.
That Ronaldo has been major problem for United this season, or even a problem at all, has to be rendered a major misconception. Lack of creation has been a predominant, overarching issue that has often seen Ronaldo suffer.
Regardless, he has mustered moments of brilliance throughout the season in the times of most need. United would likely have exited the Champions League in the group stages without his array of game-salvaging goals. On a domestic front, performances against both Arsenal and Tottenham namely have kept United in the offing for a top four spot.
Norwich can now certainly be added to the conversation of games that have prompted the question: 'where would United be without Ronaldo?'
(The answer would probably be firmly out of European contention, by the way.)
Just as things were turning slightly sour around Old Trafford, with chants of 'you're not fit to wear the shirt' ringing around the stadium as Norwich pushed for a lead having drawn level, Ronaldo stepped up with the goods again. Having not scored since his hat-trick against Spurs, what better than to step up with another three-goal haul?
The 60th hat-trick of his illustrious career, in fact.
It was confirmed in style, too. Vintage, you may say. Whilst people may viably argue that Tim Krul should have done a better job given the attempt was aimed at his side of the goal, Ronaldo finally converted a free-kick, rolling back the years to his former days at the Theatre of Dreams.
He rounded off his day's work on a memorable note by gifting 17 year-old Alejandro Garnacho the match-ball as a memento for his first inclusion on the United bench. Contrary to some inexplicable reports earlier in the season suggesting that Ronaldo was a hindrance to the club's youth, he has really displayed his masterful status.
Wheeling away to conjointly perform his trademark celebration with Elanga after the pair combined for United's opening goal was a vivid marker of his connection with the younger generation.
Ronaldo's importance on a multitude of fronts since his summer return has to be acknowledged, overriding suggestions that he is significantly to blame for United's underperformance throughout the season. As it is, Ronaldo is largely to thank for the fact that United remain remotely intact with their rivals for a fourth-place finish.
It has somewhat become a case that 'nobody wants' to finish in that final Champions League spot given that Tottenham and Arsenal both lost on Saturday - the former have now lost each of their last three league matches. Yes, it’s that old cliche. But seriously, nobody does seem to have laid down a stealthy marker to suggest themselves as favourites.
Ronaldo’s rise to pre-eminence against Norwich could prove invaluable for United come the end of the season, possibly spurring them to an unlikely top four spot if they can string a run of improved performances together. Ronaldo would be centre of any run, no doubt.
Meetings with Liverpool and Chelsea in addition to a face-off with Arsenal make for a challenging run-in. But Ronaldo has always been a man for rising to a challenge. He always will be.
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