Manchester United Bench Captain Fernandes Days After Tactics Criticism
15 sourcesUpdated Oct 25, 20261 min read
Manchester United manager Michael Carrick left captain Bruno Fernandes on the bench for Sunday's Premier League match against Bournemouth at Old Trafford, days after Fernandes criticized tactics following a 4-1 Champions League defeat by Como on Wednesday. That defeat was United's seventh consecutive game without a win. Fernandes told TNT Sports it was "a decision from the staff to not press man-to-man" and that the side sometimes had to be "more brave under pressure" and press high. Carrick told Sky Sports the benching was "Pure football," adding that options make decisions difficult and the right one must be made for the performance wanted. It was Fernandes's first Premier League match on the bench this season; he has four goals in 11 appearances after 21 assists last season. On Friday, asked about the captaincy, Carrick said he would always do what is best for the football club and would not go into detail on any talk with Fernandes. He said Lisandro Martinez was "not quite" fit. United began the day 15th with seven points from seven league games. Carrick had apologized to supporters after the Como loss. Carrick attributes the call to football reasons alone. United had won nine of their first 12 Premier League meetings with Bournemouth but were winless in the six since.
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If the captain keeps questioning tactics in interviews it risks undermining the manager before big games.
Carrick is right that team selection comes down to pure football and not who speaks out in public.
Benching Fernandes after that loss criticism looks like the right call to keep the squad focused on results.
