Sporting Lisbon boss Ruben Amorim admitted a “dream” move for Cristiano Ronaldo is impossible, despite the forward’s apparent desire to leave Manchester United.
Ronaldo missed his side’s last-gasp draw with Chelsea after being disciplined by Erik ten Hag following his refusal to come on as a substitute against Tottenham, the latest saga between the 37-year-old and United.
He looked likely to leave the club for much of the summer before eventually staying, however he is clearly not viewed as an integral part of Ten Hag’s first-team and a permanent exit in the coming months looks increasingly likely.
However, Amorim, who played alongside Ronaldo at the 2010 and 2014 World Cups, admitted finances will prevent the forward from returning to Sporting almost two decades after he left the club.
“Ronaldo is a top player,” Amorim said.
“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.
“But I have my problems so it is Ten Hag’s problem! I am very happy with my players, no problem at all at the moment.”
Amorim’s focus is on preparing his Sporting side for their clash against Tottenham in the Champions League on Wednesday night, looking to back up their win over the Premier League club earlier this season.
Sporting will go above Spurs in Group D with victory in north London, with Marcus Edwards making a return to his boyhood club. Mauricio Pochettino’s comparisons between Edwards and Lionel Messi have not been forgotten, though Amorim chose to focus more on the 23-year-old’s room for improvement.
He said: “Marcus is a player with a lot of talent and everyone in England was saying the same. The ex-coach said he had something a bit like Messi.
“He went to Portugal to develop and to play for one of the big teams in Portugal. He is playing in Champions League, he is maturing, something that comes with age, but I think he can improve a lot.
“He has got the talent but can still improve when it comes to his training, to his schedules and to keep up that high level daily, not only in matches but in his daily life when it comes to being a football professional.
“But he is a happy kid. He is happy at the club and has a special relationship with (Issahaku) Fatawu and for example that helps players develop daily. He still has a lot to give and to improve but I see a very happy future for Marcus Edwards.”
