ANALYSIS: Bruno Fernandes' blunt criticism after Manchester United's thrashing in Como threw down the gauntlet to Michael Carrick - he must respond with authority this weekend
Head Coach Michael Carrick of Manchester United
Michael Carrick knows the importance of handling Bruno Fernandes this weekend(Image: Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images)
View 3 Images
Michael Carrick decided to take a leaf out of the Sir Alex Ferguson playbook during his press conference on Friday.
Before a reporter was even given a chance to ask a question, Carrick launched into a passionate monologue which lasted five minutes and 36 seconds. In it, the under-fire Manchester United boss touched on the recent poor results, the importance of the supporters, the club's history and what he expects from his players.
Four words stuck out. Humble. Humility. Hard work.
"Manchester United is always bigger, and it always has been, always will be bigger than any single individual," he said before directly referring to United's legendary former manager and his mentor.
Carrick has to put his words into action this weekend. United simply must beat Bournemouth. But he doesn't just need a result; he needs to draw a line in the sand when it comes to his captain.
Get YOUR Mirror Football Newsletter
Get our comprehensive football coverage, with news, updates, opinions, analysis and everything that matters to you, straight to your inbox.
To get it, it's a quick and easy one-two:
Bruno Fernandes overstepped the mark with his comments after the embarrassing 4-1 thrashing by Como. He gave two damning interviews, openly criticising his manager's tactics in one before slating the club for 'living in the past' in the other.
His comments came just a week after Lisandro Martinez called out the hierarchy's poor recruitment and shows the depths they've reached. United have two wins from 11 games this season, which came against newly-promoted Ipswich and Champions League minnows Sabah.
Carrick needs to provoke a reaction. United's lengthy injury list is an issue. But he needs to act against Fernandes, who unlike throughout much of his United career, simply has not been producing the performances to back up his bluster.
Bruno Fernandes
Bruno Fernandes overstepped the line in Como(Image: Eleanor Hoad/Every Second Media/Shutterstock)
View 3 Images
The 32-year-old has four goals an assist this season. They have all come in two games, against Ipswich and Sabah. He has drawn a blank in the nine other games. That in itself is unacceptable. His words in Como undermined Carrick's authority and his close friend and former team-mate Wayne Rooney has given him an idea.
"I think it’s at a point now where he (Fernandes) might need a little break," Rooney said on The United Stand. "He might need the manager to tell him to go on a little holiday because he had a long season and then a long World Cup.
"He might need to go away and recharge the batteries because he’s played a lot of games and he doesn’t look like he’s got that sharpness or that bite about him. I remember Alex Ferguson did that with Cristiano Ronaldo.
"At random times Ronaldo would go and have a week off and we’d all be standing around wondering why. But he would be recharging his batteries, I think Bruno needs that.
"He needs to be taken out of the limelight a bit and come back fresher, otherwise he will just be running himself into the ground. That will only make him more agitated and frustrated and then we won’t see the best of him. Just to settle him down and let him get a rest and get his legs back a bit, go and take a week holiday and take him out of the firing line."
Cristiano Ronaldo and Sir Alex Ferguson of Manchester United in action during a first team training session at Carrington Training Ground in 2009.
Sir Alex Ferguson was the master of managing Cristiano Ronaldo(Image: Matthew Peters/Manchester United via Getty Images)
View 3 Images
It would be a bold move. Asked about whether he would take the captaincy off Fernandes, Carrick refused to answer.
"The most important thing for me is the team, first and foremost," he said. "It's the squad, it's the dynamics in the squad. And again, it's about the football club and I'll always do what's best for the football club."
Whether it is fair or not, Carrick has given the perception of being Mr Nice Guy. He was handed the job in the summer after galvanising the squad in the wake of Ruben Amorim's departure. He's been the man for the good times. Now he must show he can navigate through the bad ones.
Carrick needs to jolt his players into life. Dropping Fernandes could be the way to do so.
Join our new MAN UTD WhatsApp communityand receive your daily dose of Manchester United content from Mirror Football. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.