Noel Whelan has backed Cristiano Ronaldo to return to Sporting CP this summer amid the latest “unrest” in the Man United dressing room.
The former Leeds striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, suggested the 37-year-old will be desperate to play Champions League football at any cost.
According to The Athletic (28 July), Ronaldo's agent, Jorge Mendes, has held talks with Sporting about a potential return to the club he left in 2003.
The Portuguese club are in the Champions League from the group stage this term after finishing runners-up in their top flight last term.
Ronaldo played the opening 45 minutes in his first appearance of pre-season in a clash against Rayo Vallecano last week (31 July) – but left Old Trafford while the match was ongoing.
New boss Erik ten Hag told Dutch outlet Viaplay on Wednesday (3 August) that the striker's behaviour was “unacceptable”.
Whelan claimed Ronaldo has been “really unhappy” at Man United – and that discontent dates back to last season.
He told Football Insider's Ewan Kingsbury: “It's a club that's close to his heart [Sporting] – we know that.
“He's just really unhappy at Man United, and we saw glimpses of that coming through last season.
“It's not the Man United he knew and loved before, and now you're starting to see disagreements off the field and rumours of him being a nuisance under different managers.
“There's unrest in the changing room, and I think it boils down to not having that challenge of the Champions League.
“This would be the first season he hasn't played in the Champions League.
“You can't imagine that competition without him, and I think going back to Sporting would be something he would relish.”
Colito
0
you're shameless, I hope united will get relegated this season
hello there is Manchester United getting relegated this season?
Kibdempruz
0
Ronaldo this time is a virus. Any team that signs him will get the Virus.
Your time is ending not cr7 okay bad Doctor
FrankUtd
0
No Ronaldo news No All football app
kadbdost
0
Behold a new virus called Rejecto Immune Virus has been detected at Manchester, the city of Manchester United
you're shameless, I hope united will get relegated this season
kadbdost
0
let ronaldo leave
United conceding 2 goals in the 1st half against Brighton is due to Ronaldo, right?
Daeadepy
1
CR7 go to Sporting
micarger
0
yet he failed Juventus 3 times in arow
Remember he was bought for CL
cuzdeiklru
1
let ronaldo leave
Hucelmsy
0
oh just do one spoilt brat
Siwdkpt
2
[maskMan U should respect Ronaldo decision.
Meeikmpuz
0
please AF list strange names in football history for us 😹😹🥰🥰 I have ALIXIS BEKA BEKA from Toulouse for u😻😻😻
nazeebnazbu
0
Ten hag put cr7 on bench. may b not to leav stadium after subbing
luoknopt
2
Ronaldo should stop his stupid behavior over Manchester united, united was doing well before he came, instead of rising, he categorically bring united to Europe, is time for us to know that, Ronaldo time is ending. united should get a high profile striker,, and allow Ronaldo to leave the club.
rohbmnoz
1
Ronaldo this time is a virus. Any team that signs him will get the Virus.
Charmingboy
1
buuclntyz
2
But sporting doesn't need him 😂
Colito
0
Behold a new virus called Rejecto Immune Virus has been detected at Manchester, the city of Manchester United
Jscr7
1
yet he failed Juventus 3 times in arow
yet he was the top scorer for them three times in a row
Picbiknouz
1
I loved him but the way he came and destroyed our progress and later leave us after all the mess ain't acceptable I know he scored lots of goals but he did the same for Juventus and look at them the team tht had been winning league title for 7 consecutive season suddenly trying their ass off for UCL
it's not becoz of ronaldo all prime juve players got old left the club and it's not his fault that juve appointed inexperinced beginner as coach of main team and not signing correct players for team and signing avg players on free deals
Romilopy
0
ryyyy you I am not the intended addressee please U I am not able to get the uuuuuuuuuuuuuuuyuyuuuuuuuu I will be able to WordPress site and I will
micarger
2
yet he failed Juventus 3 times in arow
itzcblinkz
0
why couldn't he helped the club to qualify if knows as much, but he ran away many times the club is about playing big clubs ( man city, Chelsea, Liverpool) he only played in smaller clubs that beat n bruised united nose as well, so how useful is he?
the games he missed was because he was told he wouldn't start, and even the small games the team could not win without him
fayadelsty
0
I loved him but the way he came and destroyed our progress and later leave us after all the mess ain't acceptable I know he scored lots of goals but he did the same for Juventus and look at them the team tht had been winning league title for 7 consecutive season suddenly trying their ass off for UCL
repcdiprst
3
English pundits are very biased. Ronaldo should sort himself out
Yuuabepy
1
why couldn't he helped the club to qualify if knows as much, but he ran away many times the club is about playing big clubs ( man city, Chelsea, Liverpool) he only played in smaller clubs that beat n bruised united nose as well, so how useful is he?
Jawcloprsz
2
agree. cr7 means championship
Meeadstyz
7
"Imagine the competition without him". This statement is annoying. His club didn't qualify,he should deal with it and stop throwing tantrums like a 5 year old.