Queiroz in Portugal plea over Ronaldo

Manchester United want Portugal to rest Cristiano Ronaldo for this week’s games, and fear he could need surgery if he is played.

The 19-year-old has hernia trouble and the club believe the World Cup qualifiers against Latvia and Estonia could leave their winger needing an operation.

Assistant boss Carlos Queiroz, a former Portugal coach, is trying to persuade national boss Luiz Felipe Scolari to abandon plans to play Ronaldo and send him back to Manchester.

“We have a duty to defend our players’ interests and a moral responsibility to millions of fans,” Queiroz told the Manchester Evening News.

“Clinically, we can’t say he is unable to play but Ronaldo has been complaining about some discomfort and he has a problem we know could develop into something significant if we are not careful.”

The teenager played at the Olympics in Athens before starting the Premiership campaign for United.

Portugal team doctor Henrique Jones confirmed Ronaldo has a potential injury concern but the player is not ruled out of the two matches.

“I’m sure he will be available to play in the two internationals,” he said.