Former Club Sporting Make Contact Over Cristiano Ronaldo Return

Cristiano Ronaldo is the subject of a shock move from Sporting, as the Portuguese club have made contact in an attempt to bring him back to the club.

Ronaldo moved back to Manchester United last summer after 13 years away from the club and, despite the team's horrific campaign, he managed to impress.

The five time Ballon d'Or winner scored 24 goals in his first season back with the Premier League team but because of their lack of success, and now the worrying delay in strengthening in the transfer window, Ronaldo is reportedly worried.

Reports a few days ago claimed that he is ready to quit the club and since then he's been linked with both Roma and Chelsea, with a meeting having supposedly already taken place between the Blues' new owner and Jorge Mendes.

It's not just those two sides who will be in for Ronaldo, if he's allowed to leave Old Trafford, with Sporting ready to bring him back to the club he left for Manchester in 2003.

Ronaldo playing for Sporting against Wolves in 2002. Image: Alamy

"Sporting know that Ronaldo loves winning trophies," a source told the Sun, who claim the club have already been in contact with the 37-year-old.

"That looks a long way away at United at the moment and time is running out for Ronaldo.

"So what better way to finish his career than move back home and play in Portugal. 

"It’s a strong league and a great lifestyle.

"Senior officials have made enquiries and let Ronaldo know they are interested if he wishes to leave United."

Despite his goals, it wasn't a happy first season back in England for Ronaldo. Image: Alamy

United certainly have looked short of winning trophies since Jose Mourinho, who wants the player at Roma, left the north west of England in December 2018.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer did reach a number of semi finals, as well as the Europa League final in 2021, but last season the team didn't look close to winning any silverware.

They finished 35 points off title winners Manchester City and were knocked out of the fourth round of the FA Cup, third round of the Carabao Cup and last 16 of the Champions League, winning just one knockout game.

United couldn't even claim the fourth place 'trophy,' after ending up 13 points behind fourth placed Tottenham Hotspur, and so there's no Champions League football for Ronaldo for the first time in a very long time.

Erik ten Hag has a lot to do at United, the last thing he needs is Ronaldo leaving. Image: Manutd.com

Sporting at least won the League Cup in Portugal and managed a second place finish, just six points behind champions Benfica, and look more likely than Erik ten Hag's side to win more silverware right now.

It's not the first time that his former club have been linked with Ronaldo, as Real Madrid's all time top goalscorer was apparently going to be persuaded to rejoin them, back in April 2021.

That claim from the player's mother, Dolores Aveiro, who said, "I'm going to go to Turin and speak to him. Next year he will play in Alvalade, I'll convince him and he will return."

He did of course leave Turin, but it was for Manchester, perhaps it's not just his mum who wish she'd persuaded him back to Sporting...