Cristiano Ronaldo has finally broken his silence to quash claims that he could re-join Sporting Lisbon this summer - but his Manchester United future remains uncertain.
The Portuguese veteran dropped a major bombshell on Erik ten Hag earlier this month when he made it clear that he would like to quit Old Trafford this summer if the club receive a suitable bid for him - just 12 months after he made a stunning return to the Premier League.
Ronaldo is desperate to play Champions League football next term and has been linked with a host of clubs who would be able to offer him what he craves. However, talk of a return to Sporting Lisbon, Ronaldo's boyhood club, has emerged in recent days.
It had even been claimed that Ronaldo's car had been spotted outside Sporting's stadium, with Portuguese outlet Sport TV claiming that the United ace was in talks over a potential loan move. But the 37-year-old has now hit back at those reports, branding them "fake" in a social media post.
Ronaldo spent just one full season on the books at Sporting before he was lured to the Premier League in the summer of 2003. However, his decision to snub a potential return to Portugal appears to indicate that the striker is determined to land a move to one of Europe's biggest clubs - particularly as he has so far refused to shut down links to any other potential suitors.
Despite Ronaldo's desire to quit Old Trafford this summer, it remains to be seen whether or not the former Real Madrid and Juventus man will get his wish.
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United's Premier League rivals, Chelsea, were also linked with a shock move for Ronaldo, but Blues boss Thomas Tuchel and the club's new co-owner, Todd Boehly, decided against pursuing a move for the forward. Bayern Munich have also ruled out trying to sign the United ace, who plundered 24 goals in all competitions last term.
With Ronaldo seemingly running out of options to rescue him from his Old Trafford nightmare, a return to Sporting would have enabled the 189-cap star to play in next year's Champions League.
Meanwhile, United's forward have impressed without Ronaldo on the club's pre-season tour of Asia. Anthony Martial, Jadon Sancho and Marcus Rashford have all been amongst the goals for United, who have notched four goals in consecutive games against Liverpool and Melbourne Victory.
But Ten Hag has made it clear that the door remains open for Ronaldo at Old Trafford after insisting that the club have no appetite to sell their talisman. The Dutchman said: "We are planning with Ronaldo for this season, so that’s it and I am looking forward to working with him."
