CRISTIANO RONALDO has been released from international duty after being banned for Portugal’s next World Cup qualifier.
Manchester United have now received a huge boost ahead of their Premier League clash with Newcastle after the news was confirmed on Thursday.
Ronaldo, 36, was handed a one-match suspension after being booked at the end of Portugal’s dramatic 2-1 win against the Republic of Ireland.
And it saw him ruled out of Tuesday’s trip to Azerbaijan.
But Ronaldo will no longer have to stick around with Portugal, who first face Qatar in a friendly on Saturday, after being allowed to return to Carrington.
A statement from the Portuguese FA read: “Cristiano Ronaldo was excused from the National Team on Thursday.
“The yellow card against Ireland, being the second in this stage of qualification, forces him to fulfill an official game of suspension, which will happen against Azerbaijan.
“This morning, the captain of the National Team was part of the group of players who carried out recovery work at the hotel.”
MORE TO FOLLOW
BETTING SPECIAL – GET £60 IN FREE BETS ON ANY WORLD CUP QUALIFIER WITH BETFAIR
Read our Man United live blog for the latest news and transfer gossip from Old Trafford
