Scholes Says Fernandes Cannot Be Trusted as Captain After ‘Unforgivable’ Carrick Remarks

• Paul Scholes said on his podcast that Bruno Fernandes cannot be trusted as captain of any team after the United midfielder questioned Michael Carrick in public.
• Fernandes criticised the decision not to press man-to-man in the 4-1 Champions League defeat at Como on 21 October, then was dropped to the bench for the Bournemouth match on Sunday.
• United sources confirmed on Tuesday that Carrick will be in charge for Saturday’s trip to Chelsea, per BBC Sport.

Scholes and Butt Turn on Fernandes Over the Como Answer

Paul Scholes had one word for what Bruno Fernandes said about Michael Carrick. “What Bruno Fernandes said last week, I think that’s unforgivable,” the United legend said on The Good, The Bad & The Football podcast. He was reacting to the captain’s public criticism of his manager. Then he turned to the captaincy. “How can Bruno Fernandes be trusted to be captain of any team he ever goes to now?” Scholes asked.

His answer to his own question kept going. “I think he probably needs to get away from European football and just go to Saudi, just get out the way,” he said. Scholes finished the thought on trust. “I don’t think any manager, any member of staff can trust him after that.”

What Fernandes Said and What Followed

Manchester United lost 4-1 at Como in the Champions League on Wednesday 21 October. Afterwards Fernandes criticised the decision not to press man-to-man against the Italian side and said it let Como grow in confidence. Asked whether Carrick had got things wrong tactically, the 32-year-old said: “That’s on the manager and staff to see it, not me.”

Carrick dropped him to the bench for the Bournemouth match on Sunday, and Fernandes played no part. Afterwards he liked an Instagram post that carried the caption “Never push a loyal person to the point where they no longer care”.

Butt Piles On, and Scholes Has Been Here Before

Scholes’s podcast partner Nicky Butt went after the same interview. “We sing his praises for his abilities,” Butt said, and he described Fernandes as the only player in the last 12 or 13 years to say he would carry the club on his shoulders and lead it. In one interview, Butt said, Fernandes undid that. His closing verdict was a single word: “Stupid.”

This is not the first time Fernandes has drawn Scholes’s fire on the podcast. After United opened the season with a 2-0 defeat at Hull City, Fernandes said the team had made the “same mistakes as we did last season” away from home. Scholes told him to “keep your mouth shut”. Scholes also accused Luke Shaw of undermining Carrick after the defender said United could prepare better for that game.

Inside Old Trafford

Carrick’s future was open for two days at United. On Monday morning an announcement ending his time as manager was widely expected, and none came. Fernandes was at Carrington that day for pre-planned treatment. On Tuesday Carrick, 45, arrived at 07:30 GMT, signed autographs and posed for photographs with fans alongside Fernandes and several other players. Four hours later United sources confirmed he would be in charge at Stamford Bridge. No timescale has been put on his chance to turn the season around.

A former senior United official said: “Ordinarily, Michael would have gone. The last two performances were unacceptable and team discipline is broken. Not doing it is fascinating and risky.”

Senior figures at the club think the players are underperforming badly and should share the blame. One player said: “The feeling is that we all want to put it right. Players, staff, everyone.” It is not known whether Fernandes is part of that, and nothing has been made clear about any conversations between the captain and his manager.

The Numbers Behind the Row

Fernandes joined United from Sporting Lisbon in 2020 and has consistently been one of the club’s best players. His form has dipped this season. Last season he broke the Premier League assists record with 21. This term he has one assist, against Ipswich, and three of his four goals also came against the newly promoted side. The other came against Sabah in the Champions League.

United are 16th in the Premier League, one point clear of the relegation zone. Their last win came against Ipswich at the end of August. A week before Fernandes spoke, defender Lisandro Martinez said he had expected more investment in the squad and “more from our technical director”, a reference to Jason Wilcox.

What Comes Next

United visit Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Saturday. A Champions League match against Roma follows three days later, then Aston Villa in the league and a two-week international break. Carrick will speak to the media on Thursday.