Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes has raised concerns over his side’s tactical approach after a damaging 4-1 UEFA Champions League loss to Como, with manager Michael Carrick also apologising to the club’s travelling fans.
Key takeaways
- Como took control early and scored four times against United.
- Joshua Zirkzee registered United’s only goal late in the match.
- Fernandes felt United did not apply sufficient pressure or make enough purposeful runs without possession.
- The Portuguese midfielder called for a bolder, higher press to disrupt opponents.
- Carrick said effort in both directions matters regardless of the system used.
Fernandes questions United’s approach
Como established an early advantage before adding three further goals, leaving Zirkzee’s late strike as little more than a consolation for the visitors.
After the final whistle, Fernandes said United had allowed Como to control too much of the contest. The midfielder pointed to weak pressure on the opposition in possession and a lack of effective movement from his own team-mates.
“We did not put enough pressure on the ball and there were not enough good movements off it,” Fernandes said. “A lot of things were not working for us.”
United’s captain also suggested the side should have taken greater risks by pushing their press further up the pitch, arguing that Como had made United uncomfortable through precisely that approach.
“At times we have to be braver with the press, take the risk of going really high and make them uncomfortable, just as they did to us,” he said.
Carrick highlights work rate and apologises to fans
Carrick did not accept that United’s pressing plan alone explained the defeat. The manager noted that his players had used a partly man-to-man press after the interval, only to concede from it.
“In the second half, we did partly press man to man and we ended up letting in a goal from that,” Carrick said.
“No matter what tactics you choose, if you do not run — forwards or backwards — you will not win.”
The United manager made clear that he was unhappy with the performance and offered an apology to the supporters who had travelled to watch the team.
“I have to apologise to the supporters,” he said.
United now face the task of responding to the issues laid bare by the heavy defeat as they attempt to raise their level and rebuild confidence within the squad.
