I really admire diplomatic people. They have a skill which I lack, the ability to bring a clear head and the cool light of day to even the most frenzied of situations. Some subjects just divide opinion, there are topics that will have people gesticulating wildly, spittle jumping off their lips as they try and control their anger. Cristiano Ronaldo seems to have this type of effect on people.

There are voices saying ‘good riddance’, there is a chorus of relief even in some red circles, but just as pertinently there are a proportion of us who think ‘how the hell are we going to replace this guy?’ Quite simply, we cannot.

Ronaldo’s football has been from another planet for at least two seasons now and it has been a joy to behold. Tickets at Old Trafford now make a weekend in Vegas look cheap yet every single time Ronaldo played he did something to make the cost of that ticket worthwhile. Ridiculous things, be it a 40yard screamer or backheeling the ball when he was lying down. He is a truly sensational player. But he had to go.

Ronaldo, although a worthy occupant of the No.7 shirt worn with distinction by Cantona, Best and Robson was not United. His play was but, and this never sat well with me, he dived. A LOT.

Fergie has chats with players who do this and tells them to take it out of their game. Ronaldo didn’t. He was tolerated because of his space-age ball skills but the time had come.

We will read a million lines of copy over the summer now on the subject of who will replace him. Personally, I hope it is a player from the youth team.

There is no doubt that we, as a team, will be weaker without Cristiano Ronaldo but the ethos of Manchester United is now stronger than ever. No one player is bigger than the club, and certainly not one who dives. I take this opportunity to thank Mr. Ronaldo for the excellent football he has played for our club. But eighty million pounds? Thank you very much indeed.