Jamie Carragher has labelled Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes 'a disgrace' for his comments after Manchester United's 4-1 defeat to Como in the Champions League
The former Liverpool defender criticised Fernandes, saying, 'In terms of attitude and the way he goes about things, it's not right at all'
Fernandes appeared to question manager Michael Carrick's tactics, by saying 'you have to be more brave' and urging the 'manager and the staff' to 'take the risk'
Carrick has 'major uncertainty' over his future but there is 'an appreciation in some quarters' of the squad's progress last season, writes Dan Roan
Carrick said he 'had to apologise to the supporters' and that he's 'really angry' about the situation
Manchester United are still to confirm whether Michael Carrick will be charge for Bournemouth, writes Simon Stone
Send your views and have your say in our poll - was Fernandes right to speak out? Paddy says he'd rather have 'academy players who care' | Sam says it shows the deeper problem at Man Utd
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Re: 11:48 - Spurs fans have also called for the club to be relegated to jolt the hierarchy into action to turn fortunes around, but look at Leicester - they're now down in League One. Once a club goes down it can take years, if not decades, to climb back up.
Rob, Huddersfield
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It's a captain's job to lead the team on the field. Fernandes didn't do that last night, was rightly hooked and has had a massive sulk about it. All too often he berates teammates instead of encouraging them; not good for a captain.
Martin, Wigan
I think there is a difference between calling out the owners which is justifiable and criticising your manager. As a skipper you have a responsibility to uphold standards and work with your manager. Bruno is out of order and also out of form-sort yourself out before pointing the finger.
Tim, Melton Mowbray
Como 4-1 Manchester United
Former Manchester City defender Nedum Onuoha drew parallels between the comments of Bruno Fernandes and Lisandro Martinez on BBC's Match of the Day.
It is a comparison made my countless others in the aftermath of Manchester United's heavy defeat at Como.
A key difference is Lisandro Martinez was not critical of his manager, and he was not speaking as club captain.
Michael Carrick was able to circle the wagons after Martinez made a formal apology, whether he can do the same after Fernandes questioned his tactics is another matter.
However, what both incidents have in common is that they offer a picture of disharmony within the club - the players, manager and hierarchy are clearly not singing from the same hymn sheet.
So why is this and who is to blame?
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Carrick played Wilcox tactics by the sounds of Bruno and I actually wouldn't be surprised. Bruno is a joke of a captain, if there is a hint of truth in what he said why is Carrick not picking the tactics? The board have to go! Relegation awaits.
Lea, St Helens
Must admit I don't understand our form right now. But such is the mess at this club, I wouldn't be in despair if we did get relegated because in my mind that's the only thing that will jolt the ownership and leadership at United. It's as sad as that.
Denley, Hereford
Como 4-1 Manchester United
Image source, Getty ImagesCasemiro left Manchester United when his contract expired at the end of last season and they brought in three midfielders for about £150m - Youri Tielemans, Andrey Santos and Carlos Baleba.
Michael Carrick has continued to favour a 4-2-3-1 formation, with Tielemans and Kobbie Mainoo playing most often as the midfield pair. While Tielemans is in the Premier League's top 10 for most line-breaking passes, he and Mainoo have been unable to provide the same defensive stability as last season.
Bruno Fernandes has not been able to get on the ball as much in dangerous areas, with all three of his goals in the Premier League and his single assist coming in the 5-2 win over Ipswich.
From seven games so far, United's xG is 11.6 and they have scored 10 goals while conceding 10. Their xG is 1.7 per game, which is slightly more than under Carrick last season, but United scored more and their goal difference was far better.
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I've wondered for ages what attracts players to United when they're so obviously in the mud. I wonder if their habit of blaming a manager for lazy players attracts a certain sort of player. Even the academy players seem to develop poor mentalities, it's systemic.
Jamie, Tonbridge
Image source, Getty ImagesThe Telegraph report, external highlights a number of factors that could work in Julian Nagelsmann's favour:
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The Glazers and Ineos are the problem. Not so much Carrick and Wilcox. Although they need to go also. Fernandes has done so much for Man Utd. He deserves the right to speak freely. Especially as he is correct.
Richie, Worsley
I like that Fernandes has had the courage to call out poor tactics… captain or not, someone needs to say it.
Scott, Blackpool
Como 4-1 Manchester United
Image source, Getty ImagesFormer Germany manager Julian Nagelsmann would listen to an approach from Manchester United if the club sack Michael Carrick, according to a report in the Telegraph, external.
The report suggests that the 39-year-old ex-RB Leipzig and Bayern Munich head coach, who resigned as Germany manager in July after they were knocked out of the World Cup by Paraguay in the last 32, is expected to be among leading candidates if a change is made.
Whether Michael Carrick manages to turn things around at Old Trafford or not, it seems potential successors are starting to jostle for position should the role of Manchester United manager become available...
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I can't see Carrick staying now but I also still just can't fathom how you go from title-winning form last season to this mess. There are superb players in the team - how can they be this terrible repeatedly?
Chris, Derbyshire
Como 4-1 Manchester United
Image source, Getty ImagesAfter just two wins from 11 matches this season and on the back of one of Manchester United's worst ever defeats in Europe, there is no doubt that Michael Carrick's position as head coach is under serious threat.
They are out of the League Cup, dropped down to 21st in the Champions League after back-to-back away defeats and are 13th in the Premier League, with just one win from seven matches.
Reports suggest that while United's owners are sticking with Carrick, who signed a two-year contract in the summer, the result in Sunday's Premier League match at home to Bournemouth could have a significant bearing on his future.
Carrick is scheduled to hold a news conference tomorrow to look ahead to the Bournemouth game and, as BBC Sport's Simon Stone reported, the key question is now whether he will still be in a job by that point.
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If Fernandes saw that the initial tactics were wrong, did he question that at half time? Did he try to implement a press during play, and lead like a captain? No. He was ineffective, sulky and then threw Carrick under the bus and didn't take any responsibity himself. Poor leadership.
James, Cumbria
When the going gets tough real captains dig in, roll their sleeves up, lead by example. Bruno unfortunately throws his arms around, huffs and puffs and spits his dummy out. As good as he is technically, he’s definitely not the type of character to captain Manchester United.
Aled, NorthWales
Image source, Getty ImagesFor most of his time as Manchester United manager, Ruben Amorim persevered with a three-man defence, but when Michael Carrick took over in January, he opted for a 4-2-3-1 formation, switching to 3-2-5 in possession.
Casemiro and Kobbie Mainoo anchored their midfield as a double pivot while Bruno Fernandes was able to get on the ball in dangerous areas, contributing to his Premier League record of 21 assists last season.
United had an xG of 27.1 from Carrick's 17 games last season, scoring 33 goals and conceding 18. Their xG was 1.6 per game.
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The Fernandes comments are distracting from the real issue. Neither Carrick nor Fernandes can take an ounce of credit from that performance. Something must change. A manager change or player changes could bring short-term success, but NOTHING will change until the ownership goes. They have ruined this club.
Henry, Reading
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I watched a live stream of Man Utd training a while back, I was shocked at how easy going it was. I guess it makes sense with what we see on the pitch.
William, Armagh
Como 4-1 Manchester United
Michael Carrick is the eighth permanent/interim manager to have had at least five games in charge of Manchester United since Sir Alex Ferguson, who retired in 2013 with a United win rate of 59.7%.
Carrick's win rate of 50% has recently dipped below many of his predecessors, leaving just interim boss Ralf Rangnick and Ruben Amorim with a worse record.
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It’s been the same cycle for a decade, with Fernandes present for much of it. First, the manager is sacked. Then a new manager arrives, results improve, and a contract extension follows. Eventually, players stop responding, the manager gets thrown under the bus, and the cycle repeats.
Rudy, Manchester
Como 4-1 Manchester United
Michael Carrick returned to Manchester United in January, initially as manager until the end of the season. After steering United to a third-placed finish and Champions League qualification, he was appointed their permanent manager in May on a two-year contract.
Last night's defeat was his 28th game in charge (not including his stint as caretaker boss in 2021) and his win rate is exactly 50% - 14 wins, seven draws, seven defeats.
But last season's record is in stark contrast to that in the current campaign. United won 12 of their 17 games under Carrick last season, with three draws and two defeats, giving him a win rate of 70.6% in 2025/26.
This season they have won two out of 11 games in all competitions, with four draws and five defeats for a win rate of 18.2% in 2026/27.
Como 4-1 Manchester United
Image source, Getty ImagesFormer Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher, speaking as a pundit on broadcaster CBS Sports, saying Manchester United "needs" to change the management.
"When he talks about pressing, whether it's man to man or zonal, for years, Bruno Fernandes has meant Manchester United can't press because he does things for the crowd.
"I commentate on games watching Man United and he runs all over the place like a kid in the schoolyard for the supporters. They all think he's working hard, he's not. He's killing the rest of the team doing it. He's not playing in a successful era for Man United.
"Years ago, there was a captain called Bryan Robson, one of the greatest players to ever play for Man United because he played for the club, he didn't throw the manager or the players under the bus.
"He kept fighting for Manchester United and watching him throw his arms up every week constantly in a game is an absolute disgrace, calling the manager out considering how he's performed this season on the pitch.
"Awful attitude and not what a Manchester United captain should be.
"It's not about the manager, it's everything about the club. There's no doubt, the manager needs to be changed now. This can't go on for a club of this stature. But I'm glad he came out and said that about Fernandes."