Bruno Fernandes sent home early from Portugal squad

Bruno Fernandes has been sent home from the Portugal squad, but is not set to return to Manchester United until after the international break.

Fernandes featured in Portugal's 5-2 win over Sweden on Thursday, where he earned a goal for his team. Now, he will return early from international duty before his nation's side face Slovenia.

Despite leaving the camp, the 29-year-old will not return to United until after the international break, when they face Brentford on 30 March.

Portugal manager Roberto Martinez says it's important to work on different concepts, as he sends several players home from the team including both Fernandes and Manchester City defender Ruben Dias.

He said: "It's important to work on different concepts, especially because Slovenia has a very similar structure to Sweden, also with two strikers so the players who leave are all taken care of. They are Bernando Silva, Ruben Dias, Joao Palhinha, Nelson Semedo, Toti Gomes, Rafael Leao, Bruno Fernandes and Goncalo Ramos.

"There are another eight players who will arrive at a high level for the second game, with hunger and a lot of energy I hope."

United's captain Fernandes has featured in 38 games for his club this season, registering eight goals and nine assists in that time.

Erik ten Hag has given the players not on international duty time off this week, but some of the injured players will be carrying out individual training programmes at Carrington. The rest of the squad, who are not with their nations, are expected to join on Monday.

United return to Premier League action with a journey to west London to face Brentford on 30 March.

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