Manchester United striker Cristiano Ronaldo won’t be re-joining his first club Sporting CP as they can’t afford to pay his wages, according to the Portuguese side's manager Ruben Amorim.
The 37-year-old’s future has again been the subject of rampant speculation recently, after his refusal to come off the bench during last week’s win over Tottenham.
Ronaldo, who also walked down the tunnel before the end of the game, was subsequently made to train alone and left out of United’s squad for Saturday's Premier League draw with Chelsea.
He has since returned to first-team training, but rumours continue to swirl about a January exit, with the five-time Ballon d’Or winner struggling to earn a starting place in Erik ten Hag’s side.
Ronaldo’s first club Sporting, who he left in 2003 to begin his first spell at Old Trafford, were among the clubs linked with the striker in the summer.
But Amorim shot down the suggestion in a press conference ahead of his side’s Champions League clash with Tottenham.
"Ronaldo is a top player, a Manchester United player," Amorim said.
"I'm going to respond the same way as a lot of journalists in Portugal ask me that question a lot. 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."
Ronaldo has started just twice in the Premier League this season under Ten Hag, but he has been used more in the Europa League, starting all four matches.
The Portugal captain’s return of two goals in 12 games in all competitions has been a disappointment, after he finished as United’s top scorer last season with 24 strikes to his name.
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Speculation over Cristiano Ronaldo's Manchester United future has intensified since he refused to come on against Tottenham last week, with Chelsea among the clubs linked with a January move.
However, Erik ten Hag wants the five-time Ballon d'Or winner to see out his contract at Old Trafford.
Meanwhile, United are reportedly prepared to fight it out with Chelsea and PSG to sign Inter centre-back Milan Skriniar – and have been linked with a mega-money move for Atletico Madrid and Portugal forward Joao Felix.
