Cristiano Ronaldo's hopes of forcing through a Manchester United exit during the January transfer window have suffered a blow as the idea of him returning to Sporting Lison has been quashed.
It is thought that the five-time Ballon d'Or winner favoured a return to his boyhood club to mark the final chapter of an illustrious club career, but Sporting's boss Ruben Amorim is not optimistic a deal can be struck. This comes despite the fact that United are reportedly keen to offload the wantaway striker before he causes further disruption to the Old Trafford dressing room.
He has already been the subject of one punishment from manager Erik ten Hag this month, with the Dutchman temporarily banning him from the first-team fold in training and for the recent 1-1 draw away at Chelsea after he refused to come off the bench in the last knockings of the win against Tottenham last week.
