Fernandes Lauds Carrick’s Decision To Drop Him After Man United’s Roma Comeback

Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes has admitted that manager Michael Carrick was right to drop him from the starting line-up after he criticised the coach’s tactics, insisting the decision did not affect his belief in the manager.

Fernandes made the admission after producing an influential performance in United’s dramatic 3-2 Champions League victory over AS Roma, scoring from the penalty spot and setting up Matheus Cunha’s equaliser as the Premier League side fought back from two goals down.

The victory also ended United’s nine-game winless run against the Italian club and provided a timely boost for Carrick, whose position has come under increasing scrutiny following the club’s disappointing start to the season.

The 32-year-old midfielder delivered his best performance of the campaign, demonstrating the quality that earned him the Footballer of the Year award in England last season.

However, his display came after a difficult period in his relationship with Carrick, who left him out of the starting XI for the match against Bournemouth following his public criticism of the manager’s tactics during a 4-1 defeat against Como.

Fernandes had questioned the tactical approach after that defeat, sparking speculation about tensions between the pair.

But the Portugal international insisted that Carrick was entitled to discipline him by dropping him, dismissing reports of a lingering rift between them.

“It’s been tough, there’s been a lot of speculation in the media. A lot of lies around many things that have happened between me and the manager, that we have cleared the air, then after that the manager took the decision to put me on the bench because I’m not performing,” Fernandes told Amazon Prime.

“Everyone thought that was a punishment for the words that I had. If it was, it was right. The manager is the one who makes the decisions.

“It doesn’t change the belief I have of the manager and the staff and every player in this club.

“And it doesn’t change my aim to win every f***ing game that I have ahead of me.”

Carrick has faced mounting pressure amid United’s worst start to a season since 1986, with the club managing just one Premier League victory so far.

The victory over Roma has therefore offered some relief, although Fernandes was quick to reject suggestions that the result was primarily about rescuing his manager’s position.

According to the United captain, the priority was to end the club’s poor run and restore confidence within the dressing room.

“We don’t need to save anyone’s job,” he said. “The club needed that win, the players needed that win.

“We have been working so hard to get out of this situation all together.”

Fernandes’ comments underline his desire to move beyond the controversy and focus on helping United recover, while his performance against Roma offered a reminder of the influence he can have when operating at his best.