Manchester United skipper Bruno Fernandes turned on head coach Michael Carrick following one of the most humiliating nights in the club’s European history.
A 4-1 Champions League hammering at Como led to Carrick fielding questions about his future.
He apologised to the 700 travelling fans, having ignored his beaten players after the final whistle to march across the pitch and repeatedly hold his hands up – in a manner similar to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer following a 4-1 defeat at Watford in November 2021 which led to his dismissal as United boss 24 hours later.
However, Fernandes – widely accepted as a football obsessive who watches games regularly as understands the tactical side as well as any player in the United squad – inflicted more damage when he spoke to TNT Sports.
“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 space to these teams they get confidence,” he told TNT Sports.
Asked directly whether Carrick got his tactics wrong, Fernandes added: “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.”
Told of Fernandes’ comments in his post-match press conference, Carrick offered 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.”
More to follow.
