Fernando Santos focused on Ireland as world dwells on Ronaldo's Man United return

Portugal manager Santos is confident his superstar will be his usually determined self against an Irish side that has changed its spots rather than its shirts

Portugal's coach Fernando Santos looks at Cristiano Ronaldo while talking with his players during a training session in Oeiras, outside Lisbon. (AP Photo/Armando Franca)

The wider football world has been captivated by Ronaldo’s return to Manchester United but Fernando Santos couldn’t seem to care less.

The Portugal manager is concerned not with what his superstar striker can do at Old Trafford but with what he can continue to offer a national team whose next order of business is tomorrow’s World Cup qualifier against the Republic of Ireland in Faro.