Cristiano Ronaldo offered Manchester United exit route by Sporting

The Portuguese has made clear his desire to leave the club amid a disastrous summer on and off the pitch

The Portuguese has made clear his desire to leave the club (AP)

Sporting have offered Manchester United and Cristiano Ronaldo the option of taking their former prodigy on a free transfer, at least clearing a way out for one of the summer's most contentious sagas.

The Portuguese has made clear his desire to leave the club amid a disastrous summer on and off the pitch, culminating in Saturday's 4-0 defeat at Brentford.

Ronaldo's behaviour in that game formed part of the discussions the United staff had in the aftermath, as they attempt to work out how to navigate the team back to good form.

There is increasing debate within the club over whether it would be better to get rid of the megastar, although the hierarchy have so far been completely resistant.

Joel Glazer is said to have been a particular backer of the Portuguese, both due to his goal return and his commercial value.

It is similarly open to question whether Ronaldo would agree to return to his boyhood club. He wants to stay in the Champions League, but at a level he feels he can win it again.

Sporting have approached United about a deal, though. Ronaldo's agent Jorge Mendes has spent the summer investigating potential options, but none of the super clubs want the 37-year-old, and few below that would be able to afford a fee or his wages.

Sporting can make a deal work if they can sign Ronaldo on a free. Atletico Madrid, who also have a strong relationship with Mendes, have been considering a similar move but are still mindful of backlash for their fans.

Any deal with the Spanish club could at least aid United's long-standing interest in Joao Felix, who is commonly seen as Ronaldo's successor as Portugal's next megastar.