Jamie Carragher has accused Manchester United manager Michael Carrick of deliberately leaving Bruno Fernandes on the bench to “embarrass” the midfielder during Sunday’s 3-0 Premier League defeat at home to Bournemouth.
Fernandes left unused in Bournemouth loss
Fernandes did not play at all as Manchester United suffered a 3-0 defeat, remaining among the substitutes from kickoff to the final whistle. Carragher argued that Carrick had not planned to use the Portugal international at any stage of the match.
The midfielder was omitted from the starting side only four days after he criticised Carrick’s tactics following United’s 4-1 Champions League defeat at Como. Carrick said the selection decision was made for “pure football” reasons.
However, Carragher said that explanation was difficult to reconcile with what he saw at Old Trafford.
Carragher questions Carrick’s explanation
Speaking on Sky Sports, the former Liverpool defender said Fernandes’ unused-substitute status appeared to be a pointed managerial decision rather than a tactical necessity.
- “I think he had no intention of bringing him on,” Carragher said.
- “It was a calculated move to leave him sitting on the bench and, in effect, embarrass him.”
At 32, Fernandes was named as a Premier League substitute for only the sixth time since joining Manchester United in January 2020, Opta data showed.
Bournemouth take control at Old Trafford
Bournemouth built their victory through goals either side of half-time, capitalising on key moments in a poor Manchester United display.
- Rayan Vitor opened the scoring in the 38th minute, volleying home after Justin Kluivert’s free-kick.
- Marcus Tavernier doubled Bournemouth’s advantage after Leny Yoro lost the ball to Adrien Truffert.
- Evanilson added the third goal in the 71st minute to complete the 3-0 result.
Carrick used four of the five substitutions available to him. Matheus Cunha replaced Youri Tielemans at half-time, while Lisandro Martinez, Joshua Zirkzee and Shea Lacey were later brought into the contest.
Fernandes also warmed up during the game, but Carrick ultimately chose not to send him on.
