Youri Tielemans appeared to join Bruno Fernandes in questioning Michael Carrick’s tactics following Manchester United’s humiliating Champions League defeat to Como.
The Serie A side, competing in Europe’s premier competition for the first time in their history this season, outclassed United on Wednesday night, cruising to a 4-1 victory.
United are now without a win in their last seven with club captain Fernandes lashing out in his post-match interview with TNT Sports, ruthlessly throwing his manager under the bus with comments that leave the club in more chaos.
‘It’s a decision from the staff to not press man to man and sometimes leave space behind and try to get the ball, but sometimes when you give too much the ball to these teams they get confidence,’ Fernandes said.
Get personalised updates on your favourite club
Sign up to our daily football newsletter, pick your team and get the latest news sent directly to your inbox every morning.
Asked directly whether Carrick got his tactics wrong, Fernandes added: ‘That’s on the manager and staff to see it, not me. Sometimes you have to be more brave under pressure, take the risk of pressing high and making them uncomfortable.’
Tielemans also spoke to the broadcaster after the game and attempted to find an explanation for the woeful performance and result.
While the Belgium international suggested a lack of effort from some players was an alarming issue, he also pointed out tactical problems as reason for the club’s latest disaster.
‘It’s a combination of everything: tactical, technical, effort,’ Tielemans said when asked what has specifically gone wrong at United.
‘It’s everything. You can be good tactically but if the effort isn’t there, or the other way round, you have to be good at everything, but tonight we were poor at everything.
‘It’s the same message as we’ve had the last few weeks. We can be here and talk about it, but we have to show it on the pitch.
‘We can only apologise to the fans who travelled, the fans who watched us from home and support us. They’re disappointed and we’re disappointed.
‘The only thing we can do is try to show something on the pitch, which we haven’t done over the last few weeks.’
Defeat in Como was United’s worst result in Europe since 1996 having already made their worst start to a Premier League season in 40 years.