Sporting Lisbon step up Cristiano Ronaldo transfer pursuit with Man Utd star wanting to join Champions League side
SPORTING LISBON have reportedly increased their interest in Manchester United star Cristiano Ronaldo.
The Portuguese superstar, 37, has made it clear his desire to leave Old Trafford this summer in search of Champions League football.
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But he’s struggling to find an applicant who would take him – Chelsea and Bayern Munich are both ruling out an offer.
However, one option that still seems to be on the table is a loan deal or a permanent return to his former club Sporting Lisbon.
Ronaldo worked through the club’s youth department before joining United in 2003.
According to Foot Mercato, Hugo Viana, a former team-mate of Ronaldo and now Lisbon’s sporting director, is working hard to convince the Real Madrid legend to return to the club.
Sporting can offer Ronaldo Champions League football – something United cannot offer.
And Erik ten Hag’s side had the worst possible start in their bid to return to Europe’s premier class.
They lost their opening game of the season 2-1 to Brighton before being humiliated 4-0 by Brentford – two results that see them bottom in the Premier League.
Ronaldo, who started against Brentford, will be worried about United’s condition.
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Although he revealed earlier this week that his future will be confirmed in an interview in two weeks.
He wrote on Instagram: “You’ll know the truth when you do an interview in a few weeks. The media tells lies.
“I have a notebook and in the last few months of the 100 messages I’ve made, only 5 of them were correct. Imagine what it’s like. Stick to this tip.”
The post was furiously answered by his former teammate Gary Neville, who hit back at Ronaldo’s announcement.
He tweeted: “Why does the greatest player of all time (IMO) have to wait two weeks to tell the truth to Manchester United fans?
“Now get up and speak up. The club is in crisis and needs leaders to lead.
“He’s the only one who can grab this situation by the neck!”
Ronaldo scored five goals in 31 games in his early days with Sporting before moving to Old Trafford as a teenager.
He is Portugal’s all-time leading goalscorer, scoring a staggering 117 goals in 137 caps for the national team.
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