Sporting Lisbon have ruled out the prospect of Cristiano Ronaldo making a dream return to the club.
Ronaldo’s future is uncertain after expressing a desire to leave Manchester United during the summer, with the forward having since had a bit-part role in Erik ten Hag’s plans since failing to secure an exit.
The 37-year-old was left out of the squad to face Chelsea last weekend, having refused to come on as a substitute during the 2-0 win over Tottenham on October 19. Ronaldo has since returned to first-team training, but has been linked with a January transfer.
Sporting Lisbon have been tentatively linked with a deal for Ronaldo. The Portugal captain came through the academy ranks at the club, before departing for his first spell at Manchester United as a teenager.
The Portuguese side’s manager, Ruben Amorim, has discussed Ronaldo’s future ahead of his side’s meeting with Tottenham in the Champions League on Wednesday, but admits Sporting do not possess the finances to seal the ‘dream’ return of the five-time Ballon d’Or winner.
“Ronaldo is a top player,” he said at his pre-match press conference.
“He is a Manchester United player. Everybody in Sporting dreams of the return for Cristiano but we don’t have the money to pay his wages.
“I think he is happy in Manchester but is not playing so that is the problem. But I have my problems so it is Ten Hag’s problem! I am very happy with my players, no problem at all at the moment, so I just want to beat Tottenham.”
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