Ronaldo linked to boyhood club Sporting Lisbon: reports

Cristiano Ronaldo has reiterated his desire to leave Manchester United following meetings at the club's Carrington training base even as United continue to insist that Ronaldo is not for sale, reports said.

According to The Athletic, Ronaldo's primary desire is to play Champions League football next season so he can cement his scoring record in the competition. He currently has 140 goals and is 15 ahead of Lionel Messi even as the Argentine is two years younger. Ronaldo also wants to get ahead of Messi in number of group stage goals, currently three behind the Argentine.

Winning trophies and family reasons are also major motivations for Ronaldo.

According to The Athletic, talks have been held with Sporting Lisbon. Ronaldo's first professional club are in the Champions League after finishing second in the Primeira Liga. Covering Ronaldo's high wages would be difficult for his former club and Sporting coach Ruben Amorim is said to be wary of changing the dynamic of the team with a 37-year-old star.

The situation has been threatening to overshadow United and their coach Erik Ten Hag's preparation for the upcoming Premier League season. Reports suggest Ronaldo is four weeks behind his team mates in terms of physical and tactical readiness under the new manager