Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes has been labelled a "disgrace" after questioning manager Michael Carrick's tactics following a Champions League defeat to Como.
Fernandes said his side failed to apply enough pressure and adopted a "mood of defeat" after conceding early in Thursday morning's 4-1 loss, a result that increased scrutiny on Carrick.
Como opened the scoring in the second minute and United collapsed, with only a stoppage‑time consolation goal from Joshua Zirkzee making the scoreline slightly less severe.
"We started on the wrong foot and they scored very early," Fernandes told TNT Sports. "There was not enough pressure on the ball and not many good movements off the ball. There were many things not going our way.
"It's a decision from the [coaching] staff not to 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.
Asked if his comments amounted to criticism of Carrick's tactics, Fernandes said: "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."
The Manchester United captain was heavily criticised by former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher for his comments.
Carrick raised his arms up in an apology as he approached Manchester United's travelling supporters after the full-time whistle. (Getty Images: Marco Luzzani)
"For Bruno Fernandes to do that, it's a disgrace really," he said on CBS Sports Golazo.
"Last season he got Player of the Year, that was on the back of Michael Carrick becoming the manager, he wouldn't have got that award without Michael Carrick.
"When you think of him as a footballer, he's a talent, but in terms of attitude and the way he goes about things, it's not right at all.
"He's reacted like that because he's been brought off and he's embarrassed tonight by the manager.
"When he talks about pressing … for years, Bruno Fernandes has meant Manchester United can't press because he does things for the crowd.
"I commentate on games watching Man United, and he runs all over the place like a kid in the schoolyard, for the supporters.
"They all think he's working hard, he's not, he's killing the rest of the team.
"Watching him play every week, throwing his arms up at the other players constantly in the game is an absolute disgrace what he's done there, considering how he's performed this season.
"Awful attitude and not what a Manchester United captain should be."
Carrick's position has come under increasing pressure with United now winless in seven matches, and he responded by questioning the players' lack of willingness to run.
"There's a little bit on whatever system you play, whatever tactics you play, if you don't run and you don't run forward and you don't run back, you ain't gonna win," he said in his press conference when notified of Fernandes's criticism.
"It was more than disappointing," the 45-year-old manager said in a separate interview for TNT Sports. "I think everybody's got to take responsibility for that. I'll take responsibility for the overall team and performance, it stops with me and I'm fine with that.
"But as a supporter of this football club, to see a performance like that is unacceptable, I have to say."
Carrick said his side had failed to show the required intensity.
"It's the motivation and the purpose and the intensity of a game of football that you have to bring. We didn't bring that today," he said. "I've got to apologise for the performance."
Fernandes also questioned United's mentality after the early setback.
"Conceding early makes us go into the game with a mood of defeat," he said.
United have three points from their opening three Champions League matches and host AS Roma in their next fixture in the competition.
Reuters/ABC