Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes broke ranks to send a clear message to his team-mates and the club hierarchy after the shambolic 4-1 defeat by Como in the Champions League
Bruno Fernandes of Manchester United
Bruno Fernandes had some alarming words post-match(Image: Getty Images)
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Bruno Fernandes has accused others at Manchester United of living in the past in a second eye-catching interview after the dismal defeat by Como.
Fernandes' words added fuel to the fire after United were thrashed 4-1 in northern Italy on Wednesday night. Speaking to TNT Sports, the United captain openly questioned Michael Carrick's tactics, piling pressure onto the manager just 11 games into the season.
While the United hierarchy are not about to pull the trigger on Carrick just months after handing him the job on a permanent basis, his position is far from safe. Director of recruitment Christopher Vivell is understood to be pushing for the appointment of Julian Nagelsmann if United sack Carrick, who desperately needs a win against Bournemouth on Sunday.
And the bullish words of Fernandes won't help the perception that not everyone at the club are pulling in the same direction. Speaking to Sky Sports Italy, the midfielder spoke his mind.
“Everyone at the club must understand that it’s no longer the same,” Fernandes said. “We’re no longer in the past and we must look to the future. We must create something different in the present.
“At this club, we focus too much on what was achieved in the past, but we are no longer the same. The club and the players must understand this.
“Unfortunately for us, especially the players, those who come think about winning trophies, matches, and reaching the highest level, but unfortunately it’s been very difficult at this club in recent years. That’s the situation.”
COMO, ITALY - OCTOBER 21: Michael Carrick Head Coach of Manchester United reacts during the UEFA Champions League 2026/27 League Phase MD3 match between Como 1907 and Manchester United at Giuseppe Sinigaglia Stadium on October 21, 2026 in Como, Italy. (Photo by Stefano Guidi/Getty Images)
Michael Carrick is clinging onto his job(Image: Stefano Guidi/Getty Images)
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Intriguingly, Sky Sports Italy reporter Pierluigi Bagnulo said that Fernandes was not allowed by the club to conduct the fiery interview in Italian, despite speaking the language fluently following time spent in his early career at Novara, Sampdoria and Udinese.
“It’s a very difficult moment for us, we’re not getting the points and results we want," Fernandes added. “The most important thing is that we’re not performing as we expect.
"Unfortunately, it’s one of those moments where it seems like we can’t get out of it. We have to do something to change this situation and start winning because it’s important.”
Bruno Fernandes gestures
Bruno Fernandes spoke openly about his frustrations post-match(Image: PIERO CRUCIATTI, AFP via Getty Images)
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Carrick raised eyebrows by replacing Fernandes with Joshua Zirkzee in the second half in Como. “Nobody likes to leave the pitch, especially with a result like that," the United captain said when asked about the decision.
“It was a very difficult match for us, it was almost impossible to play with the ball, we weren’t close enough to maintain possession and play in their half.
“Como were very brave in their man-to-man pressing, we never did that and we gave them too many opportunities to play between our lines, thus managing to create chances to score.”
United have won just two matches this season, against newly promoted Ipswich and Champions League minnows Sabah. They host Bournemouth in the Premier League on Sunday before travelling to Chelsea the following weekend.
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