Photo by Alvaro Medranda/Quality Sport Images/Getty Images
Photo by Alvaro Medranda/Quality Sport Images/Getty Images
Marcus Rashford’s past comments on Unai Emery suddenly look very interesting
It's already clear who the biggest winner will be if Man Utd hire Unai Emery
It's already clear who the biggest winner will be if Man Utd hire Unai Emery
Man Utd's 'four-year cycle' analysis from Peter Schmeichel is only real optimism fans can cling to now – opinion
Man Utd's 'four-year cycle' analysis from Peter Schmeichel is only real optimism fans can cling to now – opinion
Michael Carrick already thinks manager who could replace him at Man Utd is a ‘top coach’
Michael Carrick already thinks manager who could replace him at Man Utd is a ‘top coach’
Photo by Neville Williams/Aston Villa FC via Getty Images
Photo by Neville Williams/Aston Villa FC via Getty Images
Photo by Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images
Photo by Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images
Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images
Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images
Photo by Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images
Photo by Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images
It was only a matter of time before Bruno Fernandes imploded and the 32-year-old Manchester United midfielder felt like a ticking time bomb this season.
Fernandes went one step further than Lisandro Martinez with his own bombshell interview and I think the United captain only added further fuel to the fire at the club.
In this piece for United In Focus, here are three points that Fernandes was well off the mark on when it came to Michael Carrick and the only thing that I think he did right.
READ MORE: Man Utd fans have lot to say about Amad after humiliating defeat to Como as one point is perfectly clear
1. Bruno Fernandes initially bit his lip over commenting on Michael Carrick’s tactics — POSITIVE
I feel that this was Bruno Fernandes’ most important contribution from Wednesday evening, even beyond his performance in Manchester United’s 4-1 defeat to Como.
Speaking to TNT Sports after the Man Utd vs Como match, Fernandes said: “That’s on the manager and staff to see, not me.”
Fernandes said everything right in that moment and acted like the captain that he should be for United. However, I could tell Fernandes was ready to take the bait and then he did so by subsequently criticising Michael Carrick’s tactics for United.
READ MORE: Man Utd fans react to Bruno Fernandes’ performance vs Como and all conjure Michael Carrick theory
2. Bruno Fernandes pretends to be the Man Utd manager — NEGATIVE
Sigh. I feel like we have reached the point where Fernandes has done more harm to his reputation than anything positive and meaningful. Fernandes’ filter slipped off here and the Red Devils skipper decided to play United manager for his post-match interview.
“Sometimes you have to be more brave under pressure, take the risk of pressing high and making them uncomfortable,” he explained.
Just like that, it feels like Fernandes has thrown United legend Carrick right under the bus with his comments. What does it achieve by saying United needed to be ‘braver’ after previously suggesting that his views are not important on Carrick’s tactics?
READ MORE: Steve Bruce claims ex-Man Utd figure who was ‘slaughtered’ already proved what Michael Carrick would ‘face’
3. Bruno Fernandes points out Como’s strength while throwing his Man Utd teammates under the bus — NEGATIVE
The more that Fernandes spoke, the more I rolled my eyes as a United fan. I actually admire what Fernandes has done during his time at Old Trafford and have defended him on multiple occasions. But this was not the one from the former Sporting CP midfielder, nor the right time to do it.
“As you saw with them [Como], the centre-back was coming to mark me in my own half,” Fernandes continued, before adding: “We need to do that as a team, but we were unable to.”
Fernandes might as well have named United players from the team and thrown each of them under the bus. I do not see the point of comparing United to a team like Como when the Red Devils should be setting the standards for other teams to reach.
READ MORE: Why Jose Mourinho’s ex-Man Utd star does not want extra Premier League medal if Man City are stripped
4. Bruno Fernandes’ criticism of Man Utd’s playing style should see him put his own hand up and admit that he was poor — NEGATIVE
“A team that plays through the middle with small connections, if you give them too much time and space then they can hurt you out wide,” Fernandes said.
Sure, United did not play well in the match against Como, but I don’t think Fernandes, of all people, should be giving out his insights into how his team performed. After all, outside of his stunning hat-trick in Man Utd’s 5-2 comeback win over Ipswich Town at Old Trafford in August, I don’t think Fernandes has played well at all this season.
I would even argue that Fernandes looks like a shadow of his former self from last season and the player who broke the Premier League assist record looks like a distant memory right now.