One step forward and one step back, Manchester United’s stop-start summer was summed up in the space of a few hours on Monday.
The news that Christian Eriksen has agreed to move to Old Trafford — and could be joined by Frenkie de Jong, Lisandro Martinez and Tyrell Malacia — was eclipsed by more dramatic developments in the Cristiano Ronaldo saga.
There is no doubt the wheels are starting to turn under new manager Erik ten Hag but the uncertainty over Ronaldo’s future is threatening to throw a spanner in the works.