Bruno Fernandes has been sent home early from the Portugal squad but is not expected to return to Manchester United until after the international break.
Although he has left his nation’s camp, United have given the 29-year-old the entire international break off before they face Brentford on March 30.
Fernandes featured — and scored — for Portugal during their dominant 5-2 friendly win against Sweden in Guimaraes on Thursday night.
Roberto Martinez, the Portugal manager, has sent several players, including Fernandes and Manchester City defender Ruben Dias, away before the national side’s second friendly against Slovenia on Tuesday.
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“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: Bernardo Silva, Ruben Dias, Joao Palhinha, Nelson Semedo, Toti Gomes, Rafael Leao, Bruno Fernandes and Goncalo Ramos,” Martinez said.
“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.”
Fernandes, who is United’s captain, has featured on 38 occasions for his club this season.
United manager Erik ten Hag has given the players not on international duty this week off, while some of the injured squad members will be coming into Carrington on individual training programmes to continue their recovery.
The remaining players, who are not currently with their national teams, are expected to join on Monday.
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