Cristiano Ronaldo's mother at Man City game vs Sporting as son plays for Manchester United

Rather than watch her son in action for Manchester United, Cristiano Ronaldo’s mother instead chose to take in their neighbours on Tuesday night - because they were playing her beloved Sporting!

Ronaldo was named in the United side as they aim end their recent winless run against Brighton at Old Trafford this evening.

The Portuguese superstar has come under fire in recent games, with the 37-year-old in his longest drought since returning to the club in the summer, having gone six games without a goal.

But rather than watching her son in action in the Premier League, Dolores Aveiro instead decided to watch United’s rivals Manchester City instead due to their opponents.

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Pep Guardiola’s side were in action in Ronaldo’s homeland as they took on his former side in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie against Sporting Lisbon.

Ronaldo began his career in the Portuguese capital before making the move to Old Trafford in 2003, and he and his family have remained supporters of the club ever since.

Aveiro was seen at the Estadio Jose Alvalade wearing a Sporting scarf ahead of kick-off, sharing a picture on Instagram along with the message: “Let's go Sporting, here I am to support.”

Ronaldo has been linked with a possible return to Sporting, with his mum desperate to see him make a return to the Portuguese capital.

Speaking on the ADN de Leao podcast in September, Aveiro said: “Ronaldo has to come back (to Sporting), he’d be here for me.

“He likes watching Sporting’s games. I’ve already told him: ‘Son, before I die I want to see you return to Sporting’. ‘Let’s see…’, he said.”

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