Cristiano Ronaldo returns to Manchester United training after Portugal trip

Cristiano Ronaldo has returned to Manchester United's Carrington training ground today (Tuesday) after spending two days in Portugal.

Ronaldo — along with Raphael Varane, Edinson Cavani and Luke Shaw — was ruled out of Sunday's Manchester derby defeat to City with injury. The MEN understands he flew to Lisbon on Sunday and returned late on Monday evening with photographers snapping him driving into the Carrington complex as Ralf Rangnick reconvened his squad for Tuesday training.

Ronaldo's car sun visor covered his face as he drove past photographers. Cavani was also spotted entering the training ground, in a boost to Ralf Rangnick.

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United players were given Monday off to rest after their harrowing 4-1 defeat at the Etihad. Shorn of his main striking options, Rangnick played Bruno Fernandes and Paul Pogba as two false nines, with United impressing in the first half and drawing level through Jadon Sancho before fading badly after the interval.

The extent of Ronaldo's injury is yet to become clear, but he could well be fit enough to return against Tottenham Hotspur at Old Trafford on Saturday, providing he trains as normal this week. The weekend's results left United in fifth place in the Premier League, a point off in-form Arsenal who also have three games in hand and are favourites for the fourth Champions League qualification spot.

Ronaldo has scored 15 goals in 30 games since his seismic return to United in the summer. But he has netted just once in his past 10 outings.

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