Bruno Fernandes Puts Man Utd Tactics on Carrick After Como Thrashing

• Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes told TNT Sports “That’s on the manager and staff to see it, not me” when asked if Michael Carrick got his tactics wrong at Como.
• Carrick replied that “if you don’t run, and you don’t run forward, and you don’t run back, you aren’t going to win.”
• United are winless in seven games, their longest run without a victory after eight games under Louis van Gaal in 2015, and sit 13th in the Premier League.

Fernandes Wanted Bravery, Carrick Wanted Running

Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes did not hold back when he spoke to TNT Sports after the 4-1 Champions League defeat at Como. “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,” he said.

Asked directly whether Carrick got his tactics wrong, Fernandes pointed at the dugout. “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.”

Simon Stone, writing for the BBC, described Fernandes as widely accepted as a football obsessive who watches games regularly and reads the tactical side of the game as thoroughly as anyone in the United squad. Stone wrote that the captain’s comments inflicted more damage on Carrick.

Carrick was told of the remarks in his post-match press conference and gave a curt reply. “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.

Carrick Apologises but Gives No Answer on His Future

Carrick had already made his feelings public on the pitch. He ignored his beaten players after the final whistle and marched across the grass to hold his hands up repeatedly to the 700 travelling fans. The scene was similar to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer after a 4-1 defeat at Watford in November 2021, which led to his dismissal as United manager 24 hours later.

In the press conference Carrick refused to answer questions about his own future. He spoke instead about the fans. “I have to apologise to the supporters,” he said. “I care about this football club as much as anyone, if not more, with the position that I’m in and what I value this football club. For us to play in that way is not acceptable.”

He explained why he went over to them. “I always go over to the fans anyway, regardless,” he said, adding that it was a show of appreciation for what they have been through over a few weeks. “I was one of them,” he said. “I’m feeling the same as them.” He said he had not “given my own position any thought” and that the apology was for the supporters.

“There was a lot going through my mind watching that,” Carrick admitted. “It was tough to watch.” He added: “I’m giving my absolute best all the time, I care about it. My whole life is wrapped around it.”

Seven Games Without a Win

Carrick won 12 of his 17 games in charge last season to take United back into the Champions League after a two-year absence, and he was given a two-year contract. The new campaign has gone badly wrong. United are 13th in the Premier League, three points clear of bottom club Sunderland.

They lost on the opening day to newly promoted Hull, beat Ipswich the following week and have not won in the league after that. Their only other success in 11 games in all competitions came against Azerbaijan champions Sabah FK in the Champions League. The latest defeat made it seven games without a win, a run that only the eight games without a victory under Louis van Gaal between 25 November and 28 December 2015 beat.

At Como, Nico Paz opened the scoring after 118 seconds, created the second goal and added a third. Only Joshua Zirkzee’s injury-time consolation kept United from their joint second-worst European defeat of all time. When United were last crowned European champions in 2008, Como were playing semi-professional football in Serie D in front of a couple of hundred spectators.

United supporters sang against the Glazer family and Sir Jim Ratcliffe as the evening fell apart. Some have absolved Carrick of part of the blame, as he was let down in the summer transfer window. The club signed three midfielders but brought in no competition for Luke Shaw at left-back or Benjamin Sesko in attack. Sporting director Jason Wilcox has also been defended by some, as he had to work to a budget set by those above him, including chief executive Omar Berrada.

United flew straight back to Manchester after the game. Bournemouth, who are 15th, visit Old Trafford on Sunday. Before last season’s 4-4 draw, the Cherries had won 3-0 on their previous two visits to Old Trafford. It remains to be seen whether the position around Carrick changes before then.