Not much has happened since the last issue of United Matchday, has it? Well, there was Ronaldo’s Piers Morgan interview and subsequent departure from the club, United being put up for sale by the Glazers and the small matter of one of the most exciting World Cups ever. But apart from that … It could take us a few issues to unpack it all, so please bear with us.

There’s probably been enough written and said about the whole Ronaldo debacle and it’s water under the bridge now, but suffice to say that it is probably best for everyone concerned that the great man has moved on. In time we will forget the acrimonious end to our relationship with him – or at least, it won’t feel so raw – and we’ll be able to look back again with pride and with misty eyes at his exploits for United in both of his spells at the club. Although you could argue that much of it is of his own making, Ronaldo doesn’t deserve to bow out of football on this note – especially given the stark contrast to the fortunes of arch nemesis Lionel Messi – so let’s hope he finds a club, finds some form and finds the net a few more times before he hangs up his boots.

As for the Glazers selling the club, most of us are still in shock and can’t quite believe it. There is, of course, still a chance that they will just sell part of the club and remain on board. Rumour has it that Joel and Avram have always wanted to stay but the rest of the siblings have wanted out for some time. But the most likely outcome now surely is an outright sale when they climb down from their ridiculous $7 billion asking price. They have also told the Raine Group to get the deal done by the end of March, so this could move very quickly.

The big question is, of course, who will buy the club? Red Billy has heard a rumour that Qatar is looking for its next big project and this raises a number of ethical dilemmas that has had him tossing and turning this week.

Speaking of Qatar, what a World Cup it was! And United stars excelled pretty much everywhere. Harry Maguire was superb and in our lead feature we discuss what that now means for his United future. Marcus Rashford also impressed so much that we have gone from a summer debate on “should he be sold?” to rumours of a £400,000 per week, 5-year contract. What a difference a month in the Middle East makes. Bruno Fernandes was also superb until Portugal were dumped out by Morocco, Diogo Dalot won Portugal’s left back slot from João Cancelo and Casemiro was sublime for Brazil. Every one of the 15 who went to Qatar can come back brimming with confidence and with their heads held high.

But while all that was going on, United’s non-World-Cuppers went on a mini tour of Spain and it was a chance for some youngsters to stake a claim for the first team squad. Zidane Iqbal once again put in two superb performances and there was a brilliant outing for local lad Rhys Bennett that could even put him in line for a competitive debut against Burnley. In our second feature, Ayantan Chowdhury takes a look at Bennett’s meteoric rise.

With Derick Kinoti and Red Billy debating in the Devils’ Advocate about what to do with Jadon Sancho and an encouraging insight into United women’s quest for Champions League football from Zoe Hodges, there are plenty of controversial discussion points in this issue. We hope you enjoy reading it and that you are as happy as we are that club football is back.