"Sunday the king plays" was commented by Cristiano Ronaldo's Instagram account on a fan-page's post last Friday - a slightly odd way to confirm his presence for Manchester United's pre-season meeting with La Liga outfit Rayo Vallecano two days later on Sunday afternoon.
Realistically, it probably wasn't Ronaldo who actually commented given the sizeable team that he has around him. But the essence was there and it still felt an inappropriate and quite abrupt way to announce his return to playing for the club after wide reports over the last month regarding his desire to leave the club for a Champions League outfit.
The comment was met with more accusations of arrogance than it was greeted with the sense of a hero making his return.
Anyway, the self-proclaimed 'king' did indeed play the first 45 minutes of United's final pre-season outing as they returned to Old Trafford. And he played quite well, understandably behind most others but looking sharp enough despite only returning to training with the team last week.
There has grown a perception that he reduces the dynamism of teams that he is involved in nowadays, especially in the attacking department, which is valid but also isn't the case to an extent as severe as is often perceived. Against Vallecano, he proved that he can fit well enough without Erik ten Hag having to stray from and shoehorn him into his regular system.
Further exaggeration comes through widespread belief that he drastically hinders the fluidity of teams, which is something that Ten Hag desires. And while Ronaldo doesn't offer the same positional versatility as the likes of Anthony Martial, which prevents a high volume of interchanges, Sunday's outing presented the fact that the team - which was heavily rotated and more alternative - still functioned effectively enough even if slightly differently.
One significant issue with teams that Ronaldo plays within is that, given his status, team-mates, even subconsciously, often feel the need to play through him and make his involvement central to everything. Though there were positive albeit early signs against Vallecano that he is still able to offer more than just being a focal point; he often dropped deeper into pockets to efficiently link play and supply others.
Overall, while it is clear that he still has to adapt his game further to align with Ten Hag's principles, such as through his off-ball work, you came away from the first half on Sunday feeling positive about Ronaldo as opposed to recent portrayals of him in a negative light.
It was understandable that he only lasted 45 minutes before being replaced. But it was hardly understandable as to why he never re-emerged with the playing squad after his withdrawal, then was pictured leaving the stadium before the conclusion of the match rather than continuing to support and be a part of the team that he had featured for.
Some reports have suggested that Ten Hag sanctioned Ronaldo's early departure from Old Trafford, yet more reliable others have indicated that the club declined to comment on the matter and no reason was cited as to why he left the ground prematurely. Sky Sports have today claimed that the club have 'no issue' with it.
But whether it was sanctioned or not, leaving the squad that he played for mid-match leaves a bad taste. The fact that there was anything to sanction in the first place would imply that Ronaldo had requested to leave the stadium rather than being given the option to do so.
It must be added that others left with him, but none of them were involved in the match-day squad having played against Atletico Madrid the day prior, so that can be excused to a much greater extent.
Regardless of any possible caveats that have been flagged, you can't help but feel that it leaves an adverse reflection on Ronaldo's attitude and, mainly, commitment - especially given that he was involved in a side consisting of a number of more youthful players. It sets a bad example to those of a much more tender age, while many of those young players will look up to him, only to find he wasn't in the dressing room at full-time. He is supposed to be a mentor, but in this instance wasn't there for those so willing to learn from him.
Some have argued that it was 'only a friendly' as an excuse, though, as a member of the team, Ronaldo should be involved in the debriefs et cetera nonetheless. It almost gave a sense of him feeling 'bigger than the team' at a time where there appears to be improving camaraderie amongst the group. The invoked sense of separation stemming from Ronaldo rushing out of the stadium seems as though it could be a hindrance to that progression.
Instances such as that won't go far in any attempts to re-endear a number of fans who the relationship has start to fray with. However it must be mentioned that Ronaldo did show a good touch pre-match as he mixed with supporters outside Old Trafford, posing for photographs and signing autographs.
Unfortunately though, the general views that some have started to form with regards to Ronaldo have grown negative due to his widely-covered desire to leave the club this summer. It is completely understandable that he wants to compete amongst Europe's elite in the Champions League in the twilight of his career, but the way that him - and his team - have gone about trying to engineer an exit has been somewhat displeasing.
The family issues cited for his absence from the club's tour in Thailand and Australia have to be respected and seem very much legitimate contrary to speculation. But reports have more recently suggested that United were left in the dark over Ronaldo's return to training, with the club unsure as to his plans in that regard until he arrived at Carrington last Tuesday. It is the latter side of things that have caused frustration.
It has now started to reach a stage where the saga has started to slightly overshadow pre-season preparations. There remains distinct uncertainty for Ten Hag in terms of whether Ronaldo will be around to be in his plans next season - which is quite a significant matter to have a lack of much clarity on.
In fairness, the club have contributed to the situation in their stubborn stance in terms of no willingness to allow Ronaldo to leave. Hereby, since Ronaldo's return to training, the divide between parties in terms of what they want has only seemed to become more clear.
The overriding issue damaging Ronaldo's attempts to leave, however, seems to be a lack of suitors amongst clubs in the Champions League. There is no doubting his pedigree as arguably the greatest football player ever, but he is unfortunately at an age where he doesn't fit into the long-term projects that the majority of elite clubs are trying to build. And even at his age, testament to his dedication to fitness and football as a whole, he would not settle for a rotational role.
At the end of the day, while maybe not in the same abundance as during his prime years, Ronaldo will still guarantee goals. But it is other aspects of his game, for example a lack of pressing, that make him unfavourable for managers - this could include Ten Hag given that his front-footed methods require pressing from the front. Thus other players have to over-compensate and get burned out, which can hamper other parts of the team.
Ronaldo also still demands high, often unaffordable wages too. And while commercial boosts are offered and appeal to clubs, there is an argument that Ronaldo's net impact on the footballing side of things is no longer worth financial set-backs in terms of wages and a possible transfer fee.
It would be a stretch to say that the present situation is inflicting damage to Ronaldo's legacy at United - at the end of the day nothing can take away from the successes during his first stint at the club and his impressive goals contribution last season in very tough circumstances. But the handling of his wish to leave the club has verged on becoming slightly atrocious.
It probably is at a stage where it is best that Ronaldo moves on, especially given the negative impacts of having a player that doesn't want to be at the club still there. Though the prospect of having Cristiano Ronaldo on your books is never going to be an overwhelmingly bad thing so long as he is in the right headspace and is willing to commit to the cause.
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