Ronaldo leaving Man Utd for Sporting Lisbon ruled out by manager – 'we don't have the money'

Cristiano Ronaldo leaving Man Utd to join former Sporting Lisbon has been ruled out by their manager as they 'don't have the money'.

Lisbon boss Ruben Amorim has praised the Man Utd star ahead of his side's game against Tottenham on Wednesday night in the Champions League group stage.

Ronaldo made headlines last week when he refused to replace Spurs. He was subsequently banned from first-team training and missed United's draw with Chelsea.

While the five-time Ballon d'Or winner returned to training on Tuesday and club boss Erik ten Hag has reiterated his importance in recent days, his future remains uncertain.

Sports boss Amorim played alongside Ronaldo at the 2010 and 2014 World Cups but knows a reunion is not possible at the moment.

"Ronaldo is a top player," he said.

"He's a Manchester United player. Everyone at Sporting dreams of Cristiano returning but we don't have the money to pay his salary.

"I think he's happy in Manchester but he's not playing, so that's the problem.

"But I have my problems so that's Ten Hag's problem! I'm very happy with my players, no problems at the moment, so I just want to beat Tottenham."

Sporting beat Tottenham in the clubs' previous meeting in September but know they need a great display to produce a repeat result.

Much of the visitors' fortunes will depend on Enfield-born Marcus Edwards, who will have additional responsibility in the absence of suspended Pedro Goncavles.

Wednesday will mark Edwards' return to Spurs' childhood, where he made an appearance in 2016 before being fired after struggling under former Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino due to a mix of injuries , of an incoherent form and question marks on its attitude.

Amorim spoke about the 23-year-old, but admitted there were many areas where he could improve.

He said: "Marcus is a very talented player and everyone in England was saying the same thing. The ex-manager said he had something a bit like Messi.

>

"He went to Portugal to develop and play for one of the big teams in Portugal. He's playing in the Champions League, he's maturing, something that comes with age, but I think that it can improve a lot.

"He has the talent but can still improve in terms of his training, his schedules and to maintain this high level on a daily basis, not only in matches but in his daily life when it comes to be a football professional.

"But he is a happy child. He is happy at the club and has a special relationship with (Issahaku) Fatawu and for example who helps the players to develop on a daily basis. He still has a lot to give and improve, but I see a very happy future for Marcus Edwards."

Edwards has been linked with a move to England before and that was also the case for Amorim this month.

The Sporting boss has been backed for the recent vacancy at Aston Villa and the current one at Wolves, who announced last week that goalkeeper Steve Davis will continue to lead the team for the remainder of 2022.

"I have no particular dream of coaching a particular club," the 37-year-old insisted.

"I'm happy. I want to get involved in big championships and I like to spread my identity to my players so that my team represents who I am as a coach.

"I'm still young and at a big club. I really like the uncertainty of not knowing what's coming tomorrow.

"It may be a goal, but I don't foresee where I will fall in my future. I just want to win against Tottenham and go from there."

READ MORE: Cristiano Ronaldo… Stunning U-turn and damning Man Utd stats may make Ten Hag 'regret'