- Bruno Fernandes will remain Manchester United captain and will not be disciplined for his criticism of Michael Carrick.
- Inside Old Trafford there is sympathy for Fernandes, with disappointment at some of his comments.
- It is not yet known whether Fernandes will be picked for Sunday’s Premier League game against Bournemouth.
United Stand by Their Captain After the Como Outburst
Bruno Fernandes will remain as Manchester United captain and will not be disciplined for his post-match criticism of Michael Carrick after the 4-1 Champions League defeat by Como.
The United skipper criticised Carrick’s tactics for the game, then said it was up to the head coach and his backroom team, not the players, to spot any issues and change them. Many people outside the club saw this as a challenge to Carrick’s authority. It came just eight days after defender Lisandro Martinez criticised director of football Jason Wilcox and the club’s summer recruitment.
What Fernandes Said
Speaking to TNT Sports, Fernandes said: “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.”
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.”
Carrick was told of the comments at his post-match press conference and gave a curt response. “There’s a little bit of 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 aren’t going to win,” he said.
Why the Club Is Showing Sympathy
Inside Old Trafford there is sympathy for the position Fernandes found himself in. The Portugal midfielder did 10 post-match interviews in Como, even though he was replaced by Joshua Zirkzee midway through the second half.
There is disappointment at some of his comments, yet it is acknowledged that his annoyance was understandable given the manner of the loss, which was one of the worst in United’s European history.
Outside Voices Are Less Kind
Former United striker Wayne Rooney was among those who did not hold back. He said Fernandes “is putting pressure on someone else because he doesn’t want to face it” and called on the players to take responsibility as a group.
Fernandes’ form has dipped markedly from last season, when he was named PFA and FWA Player of the Year and broke the Premier League record for assists in a single season. That makes the criticism of his own level a natural talking point for supporters.
Sunday Brings the Next Test
It remains to be seen whether Fernandes will be picked for Sunday’s Premier League encounter with Bournemouth at Old Trafford. Carrick will be asked about the situation when he holds his pre-game news conference at 13:30 BST on Friday.
United are 13th in the Premier League, three points clear of bottom club Sunderland, and have gone seven games without a win. A captain who has publicly questioned his head coach, yet keeps the armband, leaves plenty to answer for on and off the pitch.