Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes remains fully committed to the club and will keep the armband, manager Michael Carrick said before Saturday’s Premier League trip to Chelsea.
Carrick omitted the Portugal international from his starting line-up for Sunday’s 3-0 league defeat at home to Bournemouth. The move followed Fernandes’ public criticism of United’s approach after their 4-1 Champions League loss against Como.
Speaking on Thursday, Carrick said the decision to leave Fernandes among the substitutes had been made solely with the Bournemouth match in mind.
Quick facts
- United are without a victory in eight games across all competitions.
- The club sit 16th in the Premier League, one point clear of the relegation places.
- Fernandes, 32, has resolved his disagreement with Carrick following talks.
- Carrick, 45, replaced Ruben Amorim in January and guided United to third last season.
“It was a call based on what we believed was best for that game, nothing more,” Carrick said of Fernandes’ absence from the XI.
He insisted there was no continuing issue with the midfielder. “Bruno is completely dedicated to this club. There are no problems at all. We keep moving, make our choices as they come and turn our attention to Saturday.”
Carrick said Fernandes had led United effectively over many matches and several seasons, and would continue to do so. He added that the matter with the 32-year-old had been settled through clear-the-air discussions.
The United boss also rejected the idea that he required guarantees over his own position after the Bournemouth loss stretched the side’s winless sequence to eight in all competitions.
Senior figures at the club met on Monday as speculation grew over Carrick’s future. No statement was issued, however, and the former United midfielder has remained in charge.
“I understand the situation completely,” Carrick said. “I know this job, its duties and everything that comes with it, so I do not need reassurance from anybody on that front.”
Former United skipper Gary Neville questioned the club’s choice to continue with Carrick, saying that changing a manager in difficulty can at times serve both the team and the coach.
“Keeping him comes down to poor planning, a shortage of available alternatives and inadequate decision-making over the possible candidates,” Neville said on the Stick to Football podcast.
He also said a human-rights due-diligence process must first assess possible risks to LGBT teenagers who may be arriving, as well as staff, coaches and visitors.
“At times, dismissing a manager is for his own benefit. I needed to be dismissed at Valencia, and I was glad they ended my misery,” Neville added.
Carrick improved United’s results after taking over from Ruben Amorim in January, taking the club to a third-place finish last season. But United have not won a Premier League fixture since defeating newly promoted Ipswich Town on August 30.
