Bruno Fernandes has delivered a pointed criticism of Michael Carrick’s tactical approach after Manchester United’s 4-1 Champions League defeat at Como intensified scrutiny of the head coach’s position.
United endured one of the most damaging European nights in their history, with Fernandes suggesting the team’s reluctance to press aggressively had allowed the Italian side to dictate proceedings.
The captain, who is regarded as one of the squad’s most tactically astute players, questioned the decision to defend without applying sustained pressure on Como’s players.
“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,” Fernandes told TNT Sports.
Asked whether Carrick had got his tactics wrong, the Portuguese midfielder 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 responded sharply when confronted with Fernandes’s comments at his post-match press conference.
“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.
The former United midfielder refused to discuss his future but apologised to the 700 travelling supporters, acknowledging that the performance had fallen far below the club’s standards.
“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,” Carrick said. “For us to play in that way is not acceptable.”
Carrick’s post-match appearance was made more uncomfortable by his decision to approach the supporters after the final whistle while seemingly ignoring his defeated players. The gesture recalled Ole Gunnar Solskjær’s response to United’s 4-1 loss at Watford in November 2021, which preceded his dismissal the following day.
Carrick insisted he had not considered his own position, saying his priority was acknowledging the supporters’ frustration.
But with Fernandes publicly questioning the team’s approach and United’s European campaign in turmoil, the pressure on the head coach has intensified.
