By Chris O'Brien
June 8 2004

Cristiano Ronaldo will be available for selection at the start of next season after having his suspension for two bookable offences at Villa Park rescinded. The youngster was sent off during United's 2-0 league win over Aston Villa, with Darren Fletcher also shown red that day.

Cristiano Ronaldo has had his suspension for being sent off at Villa Park rescinded. The teenage winger was dismissed after two bookable offences in United's final league clash of the season, a 2-0 win against Aston Villa which denied the Midlands club a place in Europe they had fought for all season.

The first yellow card picked up by the Portuguese winger for an alleged dive has been taken away, meaning only his yellow card for a 'kicking the ball away' incident that followed will stand. This means that the youngster will be available at the start of the forthcoming campaign, but Darren Fletcher, who was also dismissed in the match, will be suspended.

"We can confirm that Referee Rob Styles has advised that, having viewed the incident relating to the first caution in the above match, he was incorrect to send Cristiano Ronaldo from the field of play." read an official statement from the Premier & Football League body.

"Therefore the sending off has been reduced to a caution for the offence of 'delaying the restart".