SPORTING LISBON have reportedly stepped up 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.
But he has struggled to find a suitor who would take him – with Chelsea and Bayern Munich both ruling out a bid.
However, one option which seems to still be on the table is a loan or permanent return to his former club Sporting Lisbon.
Ronaldo came through the club's youth set-up before leaving for United in 2003.
According to Foot Mercato, Hugo Viana, a former team-mate of Ronaldo's and now the sporting director at Lisbon, is working hard to convince the Real Madrid legend to return to the club.
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Sporting can offer Ronaldo Champions League football – something United are unable to provide.
And Erik ten Hag's men have made the worst possible start in their attempts to return to Europe's premier competition.
They lost their opening game of the season 2-1 to Brighton, before being humiliated 4-0 by Brentford – a pair of results which leave them bottom of the Premier League.
Ronaldo, who started against Brentford, will be concerned about the state of United.
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Although he revealed earlier this week that his future will be confirmed in an interview in two weeks time.
He wrote on Instagram: “They know the truth when they interview in couple of weeks. The media is telling lies.
"I have a notebook and in the last few months of the 100 news I made, only 5 of them were right. Imagine how it is. Stick with that tip."
The post was met furiously by former team-mate Gary Neville who hit back at Ronaldo's announcement.
He tweeted: "Why does the greatest player of all time (in my opinion) have to wait two weeks to tell Manchester United fans the truth?
"Stand up now and speak. The club is in crisis and it needs leaders to lead.
"He’s the only one who can grab this situation by the scruff of the neck!"
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Ronaldo scored five goals in 31 appearances during his first spell at Sporting, before he left for Old Trafford as a teenager.
He is Portugal's greatest ever goalscorer, netting a breathtaking 117 times in 137 caps for the national team.
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