Bruno Fernandes is one of four Portugal players to have been released from international duty after their first Nations League match during the pause from domestic football.

, alongside , and have been given permission to leave the Portugal camp to return to their club teams. has made the decision after his side confirmed their place atop League A, Group 1 with a game to spare.

's star played 90 minutes and scored in a 5-1 win over Poland on Friday. That result, in combination with Croatia's defeat to , ensured a place in the competition's semi-final stage.

Portugal are in action again on Monday, against Croatia, but have made changes to their squad. Fernandes, would miss that match regardless after receiving his third caution of the tournament against Poland, meaning he must serve a one-match suspsension.

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Speaking in his pre-match press conference, Martinez explained: "In the first stage, we made six changes from one game to the next.

"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, and , who is suspended - so we're going to call up Fábio Silva and [Geovany] Quenda from the Under-21s."

The decision will allow new United boss greater time to work and meet with his countryman. The 39-year-old was earlier this month and started to .

Amorim has been required to wait for his working visa, but is expected to take charge of United's first match following the international break against Ipswich.

Fernandes has already discussed his positive feelings towards his new boss. The ex-Sporting midfielder has been impressed by the connection Amorim develops with his players.

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"Obviously for me, what stands out as I said to you is the connection he has with the players,” Fernandes told club media. “You see it at the end of the game when a manager is going from your club in the middle of the season and with all the things that they have still to win.

“And you see the way they say goodbye to him, the way they feel, they make him feel part of the team and how they treat him. So it shows that this is a great character and he's someone that gives his all to the players.”

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