Cristiano Ronaldo car pictured at Sporting stadium as Man Utd star responds to loan claim

Cristiano Ronaldo ’s car has been spotted at the stadium of Sporting CP amid claims he will re-join his former club on a loan deal from Manchester United.

Ronaldo is determined to depart Old Trafford this summer and he has not reported to the club's pre-season tour of Asia due to 'family reasons'. A potential move to Bayern Munich was ruled out by the German giants this weekend despite suggestions he could replace Robert Lewandowski, whose move to Barcelona was confirmed on Saturday.

The Portuguese superstar’s options have narrowed down after Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel came out against the idea – making any move to Stamford Bridge extremely unlikely – after new Blues owner Todd Boehly considered launching an extraordinary bid to sign the striker.

Ronaldo was left "upset" at seeing his pay slashed at United after each member of the squad was hit with a 25 per cent cut to their weekly wage – with the 37-year-old, who is the club’s highest earner, seeing the greatest impact to his pay packet. That was due to the club’s failure to qualify for the Champions League, which Ronaldo is desperate to continue participating in.

Former club Sporting offer the ideal opportunity for him to do so, having reached the Round of 16 of last year’s competition and eyeing another knockout qualification this season. On Sunday, Portuguese TV station Sport TV reported the Lisbon-based club were negotiating to sign the striker on a loan deal.

It came on the same day that Ronaldo’s car was pictured in the car park of Sporting’s Jose Alvalade stadium in the Portuguese capital, in a parking spot reserved for the club’s playing staff. It is unclear what the purpose of the visit was, but it has sparked speculation that a return to the club