Harry Maguire and Cristiano Ronaldo lead Man United’s returning stars ahead of the Manchester derby

Both Harry Maguire and Cristiano Ronaldo have returned to Manchester United after poor international break showings with England and Portugal respectively, as the Red Devils prepare for Sunday’s Manchester derby. 

The United captain arrived on Thursday morning at Carrington as he makes his return from England duty, during which he was culpable for two goals in the Three Lions’ dramatic 3-3 draw with Germany at Wembley on Monday night. 

Wantaway star Ronaldo was also spotted reporting for duty, having endured a tough spell for Portugal including a particularly disappointing 1-0 home loss to Spain in which he squandered several chances. 

Wantaway forward Cristiano Ronaldo had an equally disappointing showing for Portugal 

Erik ten Hag’s side are continuing their preparations for Sunday’s Manchester Derby

Maguire’s arrival is not thought to signal any involvement in Sunday’s grudge match, having failed to give Erik ten Hag any reason to start him ahead of Raphael Varane or Lisandro Martinez with his England showings. 

The 29-year-old also picked up a muscular injury on Monday against Germany which has left him as an even bigger doubt for a role against City. 

The 37-year-old Portuguese striker was also in the wars at the weekend, after a hefty coming together with Czech Republic goalkeeper Tomas Vaclik left him with a nasty-looking black eye.  

Ronaldo was left bloodied and bruised from clash in the 13th minute of the Nations League tie

He was sporting a nasty-looking black eye after a collision with Czech goalkeeper Tomas Vaclik

Maguire, 29, has picked up a muscular injury whilst playing in England’s 3-3 draw on Monday

Ronaldo’s struggles for his country came at the other end of the pitch, and his poor form left many calling for him to be dropped ahead of the World Cup in November. 

Portuguese daily A Bola ran a front page on Monday that read ‘Less Ronaldo, more Portugal’, highlighting his fall from grace in his country. 

Erik ten Hag made the bold decision to drop both players this season, with Ronaldo making way for a seemingly resurgent Marcus Rashford, and Maguire losing his place to new signing Martinez. 

Cristiano Ronaldo was heavily criticised after Portugal blew a Nations League finals place

However, Maguire has still managed to retain his grip on the armband at Old Trafford despite starting only three games for his club and losing them all. 

Both players have been the subject of sensational claims to drop international football and focus on their club careers as a result of recent displays. 

In the vase of the 29-year-old centre-back, he has been publicly handed unwavering support from Gareth Southgate, but has shown on several occasions that he is unable to deliver on that faith. 

He claimed after England’s 1-0 defeat to Italy that he was not worried about ‘rustiness’, but looked anything but comfortable in either game as a result of limited game time for his country.  

Maguire had a difficult game against Germany on Monday which saw him concede a penalty

Maguire also gave the ball away for Germany’s second goal before England fought back

For Ronaldo, the suggestion is that his country’s steadfast refusal to drop him is hampering the development of the glittering array of attacking talent at Fernando Santos’ finger tips.

And as a result the 37-year-old’s sister has leapt to his defence, writing on Instagram: ‘He has his family and those who love him by his side. They will always be by his side, no matter what. 

‘But the current times don’t surprise me at all. The Portuguese spit on the plate they eat [from], it has always been that way. 

‘That’s why when someone appears from the ashes and changes mentalities, it bothers… With you always, my king. Calm down.’

Ronaldo has been criticised by some fans, but his sister Katia Aveiro has leapt to his defence