Bruno Fernandes was visibly angry after his substitution in the 4-1 defeat to Como and seemed to criticise Manchester United manager Michael Carrick’s tactics. ‘It’s a decision from the staff.’
This is the second Champions League game in a row where Manchester United have conceded in the opening five minutes, after their 2-0 defeat to Atletico Madrid.
They were simply outclassed at the Stadio Sinigaglia by Como, a team that was in Serie B only three years ago and in Serie C as recently as 2021, but ran riot today with a Nico Paz brace, Tasos Douvikas and Jacobo Ramon’s header.
Bruno Fernandes irritated with Manchester United
“It’s not the first time, we started on the wrong foot, and they scored very early,” Bruno Fernandes told TNT Sports.
“Not much pressure on the ball, not many good movements with the ball, not many things going our way. Conceding early makes us go into game with a mood of defeat, it’s difficult to get out of that, trying to be brave, to have the ball and make something happen.
“If we are not able to do that, it is going to be very difficult to get out of this situation.”
Como absolutely dominated possession and many times Manchester United seemed to back off them, allowing it to happen, but Bruno Fernandes suggested this was down to Carrick’s tactics.
“It’s a decision from the staff to not press man to man and sometimes leave space behind and try to get the ball, wait for them, but sometimes when you give space to these teams they get confidence.”
Does that mean the former Sampdoria, Udinese and Novara midfielder thinks Carrick is getting his tactics wrong?
“That’s on the manager and staff to see, not me. Sometimes you have to be more brave under pressure, take the risk of pressing high and making them uncomfortable. As you saw with them, the centre-back was coming to mark me in my own half. We need to do that as a team, but we were unable to.
“A team that plays through the middle with small connections, if you give them too much time and space then they can hurt you out wide.”
“I think sometimes we have to be more brave under pressure.”
Captain Bruno Fernandes gives his immediate reaction to Manchester United’s heavy 4-1 defeat to Como
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Bruno Fernandes was visibly furious after his substitution in the second half, and Sky Sport Italia’s touchline reporter confirmed he punched the bench in frustration when returning to the dugout.
Como now have six points from three games in their first ever Champions League campaign, whereas Manchester United have three.
This result will further fuel the reports that Manchester United are lining up Italy’s Antonio Conte as Carrick’s replacement.