Manchester United manager Michael Carrick has said that captain Bruno Fernandes is fully committed to the club ahead of the Premier League clash against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.
The Red Devils recently suffered a 3-0 league defeat to Bournemouth, where Fernandes was an unused substitute. The Portuguese was left on the bench by Carrick after he publicly criticised the tactics after the humiliating 4-1 Champions League defeat at Como.
Harry Maguire captained the side against the Cherries last weekend, but Carrick has insisted today that Fernandes will continue to wear the armband in future, and the playmaker is committed to making things better after a disappointing start to the season for United.
He told reporters (via Manutd.com): “Bruno is fully committed to the football club, there’s no issues with that. We look ahead to the game on Saturday.
“Listen, we are clear with the situation of the team and as a football club, at the moment. As I’ve just said, he is an important player for this group, he has been and he will be.
“He is fully committed to this football club, he is fully committed to make things better.
“It doesn’t change things, you know, he is the one that has led the team so well for many a game and for many a year, and he will continue to do that.”
Fernandes looks poised to return to the starting XI vs Chelsea
Carrick made a big statement by dropping Fernandes to the bench against Bournemouth. He did not bring him on at half-time despite the Red Devils trailing 2-0.
Matheus Cunha was the player chosen to replace Youri Tielemans, and Fernandes was left on the bench. Carrick used just four substitutes but ignored the Portuguese star.
Carrick has since held face-to-face talks with the captain, and his comments in the pre-match presser clearly hint that the 32-year-old will be reinstated into the starting XI.
Fernandes, who joined for an initial £47 million from Sporting CP in 2020, will no doubt be fired up with a point to prove. He should relish facing the Blues on the road, given his recent record.
The Red Devils skipper has four goal contributions in his last five meetings, including a couple last season as United did the league double over the west London outfit.
Fernandes will likely start in his preferred number 10 role, with Tielemans being dropped. Cunha could likewise start for United, replacing Mason Mount on the left wing.
Stats from Transfermarkt.com