^Naruto did love Sakura, only for the ones you love you go to self - sacrificing lengths. I also believe, but this is an unpopular opinion, that Sakura loved Naruto. It is actually a term that goes over selfish claims, such as relationships, marriage, love stands on its own. It could have shown that Narutos love for Sakura was strong enough to let go of his feelings and let Sasuke step in. It would be hard for him! He would not go over to Hinata in an instant and confess his love to her. That's just weak and pathetic and shows that his feelings were not sincere. He appears like a moron that was protecting, keeping an eye on, carrying, and loving a person just as a "competition towards his no.1 rival".
If Kishimoto was really pressed to make NaruHina and SasuSaku canon, without actually ruining his characters and their motivation, he should have started with that long ago. Or just not at all. That would have been the best. If you have three fanbases that would equally shred you apart if their ship is not sailing, just skip the shipping part, end your story before they are forced to marry due to very traditional, Japanese standards. But then we would have nothing to rant about.