Manchester United ace Cristiano Ronaldo could return to Sporting CP in the January transfer window

According to The Mirror (h/t The Express), Manchester United superstar, Cristiano Ronaldo could return to his first club Sporting CP with the Portuguese giants keen to seal the deal.

The 37-year-old was heavily linked with an exit last summer but a deal failed to materialise and he stayed put at Old Trafford. Despite winning the favour of Erik ten Hag of late, Ronaldo remains keen to call it quits at the Theatre of Dreams.

With the January transfer window just a little over two months away, the veteran could once again make a play to move on. A return to his homeland could prove to be the best foot forward given his current standing in the game.

Ronaldo’s return to Old Trafford has had its moments but has fallen considerably short of expectations. Add to it his petulant behaviour at times and the marriage looks set to end in a divorce.

Sporting are ready to pounce but will need both Man United and Ronaldo to compromise on their demands. To sanction the move in January, the Red Devils must hand Ronaldo a multi-million-pound payout so that he can then join Sporting for a lower wage.

Given that the 37-year-old’s contract is up next summer, there is little reason for Man United to pay him off just months prior to it. The Red Devils certainly have decisions to make.

Manchester United seem to have come to an understanding that Erik ten Hag as the manager will make the final call on Ronaldo’s future. The Dutchman has not been afraid to give the superstar the hairdryer treatment and can be trusted to do what is best for the team.

A lot could also depend on whether Man United brings in another striker in January. Apart from Ronaldo, the only specialist striker in their ranks is an injury-plagued Anthony Martial.

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One can argue that Ronaldo’s return to Old Trafford was an unwarranted move that was more sensationalist than pragmatic. While it makes for excellent headlines, it did little to aid the club’s rebuild. The sooner we leave the vestiges of the past behind, the quicker we can move on and rebuild anew.