Why Man United star Bruno Fernandes will return from Portugal duty early as huge update given

Bruno Fernandes will return to Manchester United from international duty - earlier than expected - after the nation's success in the UEFA Nations League. The United captain is among four players now released from the Portugal squad midway through November's break.

The midfielder played the full 90 minutes and was on the score-sheet in Portugal's 5-1 win over Poland on Friday evening. That win - along with Croatia's loss to Scotland - confirmed their top spot in League A, Group 1 and their place in the finals of the competition.

Portugal are back in action on Monday night when they meet Croatia away. But instead of him being part of the squad, Fernandes will be back at United, having been given permission to return to his club.

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The 30-year-old would have missed the game anyway through suspension. He was shown his third yellow card of the competition vs Poland - meaning he will have to serve a one-game ban which will come against Croatia.

Speaking in his pre-match press conference, Portugal manager Roberto Martinez explained his decision to let four of his key players, including Fernandes, leave the squad. "In the first stage, we made six changes from one game to the next," he said.

Martinez went on: "It's important for us to be first - and we already are. We need to be competitive to add to the group, it's getting harder and harder to get into the starting eleven. There's a World Cup finals in 18 months.

"The game against Croatia is important, we need to look at other players. We're going to let go of Bernardo Silva, Pedro Neto, Cristiano