Bruno Fernandes and Michael Carrick clash over tactics after Man United’s 4-1 UCL loss to Como, with the captain questioning the team’s pressing approach

Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes and head coach Michael Carrick have appeared to disagree over the team’s tactical approach following their humiliating 4-1 Champions League defeat to Como.

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The damaging result has increased pressure on Carrick, with United’s poor performance leaving travelling supporters frustrated and raising fresh questions about the manager’s position.

Carrick apologised to the around 700 United fans who travelled to watch the match after the final whistle.

The former United midfielder also crossed the pitch and repeatedly raised his hands towards the supporters in an apparent acknowledgement of their disappointment.

His gesture drew comparisons with former United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s reaction after the club’s 4-1 defeat to Watford in November 2021, a result that was followed by the Norwegian’s dismissal the next day.

However, it was Fernandes’ post-match assessment that attracted the most attention.

Speaking to TNT Sports after Wednesday’s defeat, the Portuguese midfielder questioned United’s decision not to press Como aggressively.

Fernandes suggested that allowing the Italian side too much possession gave the hosts confidence and enabled them to dictate the game.

“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 said.

When asked whether Carrick had got his tactics wrong, the United captain avoided directly blaming his manager but made it clear that responsibility for the approach rested with the coaching staff.

“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,” he added.

Carrick was later made aware of Fernandes’ comments during his own post-match press conference.

The United boss responded by placing greater emphasis on the players’ work rate rather than the specific tactical system.

“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,” Carrick said.

Although Carrick did not directly refer to Fernandes, his response appeared to highlight a different priority from that expressed by the captain.

While Fernandes argued that United needed to take greater tactical risks and press higher up the pitch, Carrick stressed that commitment and intensity were essential regardless of the formation or game plan.

The exchange is particularly significant because Fernandes is United’s captain and one of the most influential figures in the dressing room.

His public criticism of part of the tactical approach could add to the scrutiny already facing Carrick after a heavy European defeat.

Fernandes, however, did not call for Carrick to be sacked, while the manager similarly stopped short of directly criticising his captain.

The contrasting comments have nevertheless raised questions about United’s tactical direction and whether the players are fully aligned with the coaching staff’s approach.

Also read: UCL: Nico Paz Inspires Como to Thrash Man United 4-1

Carrick now faces the difficult task of restoring confidence, improving United’s performances and ensuring his players show the intensity required to recover from the damaging defeat.