Sporting Lisbon have taken disciplinary action against Argentina defender, Marcos Rojo after the 24-year-old missed training in an effort to force through a transfer to Manchester United. Yesterday it emerged that United had made a £16 million bid for Rojo and although it was not satisfactory for Sporting Lisbon, it is understood that the player has responded by handing in a transfer request and failing to attend training today prompting an angry response from the club’s owner.

Sporting president, Bruno de Carvalho revealed his anger to reporters when asked about Rojo and Algerian striker, Islam Slimani.

Speaking to Sporting TV, de Carvalho said: 

“They will not play next weekend. This will take as long as it takes. If something doesn’t change, you’re going to end up with the players seeing out their contracts.

“They can watch the game on television. On Saturday, against Academica, we will play to win and we will win. There is no player bigger than the club. I would not give up the honour, the club’s history, for the attitudes of anyone.

“I give a piece of advice: don’t use the press, be professional. These two, in defence of our magnificent group, must be removed. They are subject to strong disciplinary measures. Both players have taken decisions that have caused sharp indiscipline at Sporting.

“A message: any player who does not follow the rules of the club can have illusions and pretensions, but with the way these two did things, the situation is just complicated.”

Sporting look set to take a strong stance here and so Manchester United may still find this a difficult transfer to conclude. As reported yesterday, Sporting only own 25% of Rojo’s economic rights and so any deal spread over time and for a lesser amount will be rejected as they try and maximise the amount that they can make.