Bruno Fernandes was back in Manchester United's starting line-up to face Chelsea, having been dropped in their last match after criticising Michael Carrick's tactics
LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 31: Bruno Fernandes of Manchester United arrives ahead of the Premier League 2026/27 match between Chelsea FC and Manchester United at Stamford Bridge on October 31, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images)
Bruno Fernandes made his return against Chelsea(Image: Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images)
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Manchester United have been told to strip Bruno Fernandes of the captaincy - despite Michael Carrick bringing him back into their XI on Saturday. Fernandes, 32, returned to United's starting line-up against Chelsea, having watched from the bench in last Sunday's 3-0 loss at home to Bournemouth.
The Portuguese had been dropped after criticising Carrick's tactics in a post-match interview following their 4-1 defeat away to Como in the Champions League. His manager described it as a 'football decision' and Fernandes came straight back into Carrick's side following clear-the-air talks between the pair.
Before the game at Stamford Bridge, ex-Premier League star Glenn Murray told United to take the captaincy off Fernandes, pointing out how legendary former boss Sir Alex Ferguson would've likely acted differently. "It is a football club that isn't united in their process," Murray told BBC Radio 5 Live.
"We saw back in the day, where Jaap Stam released his book, and it was 72 hours later he was out of the door. There was one man in charge and that was Sir Alex Ferguson.
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"Managers have less power in a football club now because of the way they have been set up. You wonder who is going to be making the decisions at Manchester United.
"If I am the manager of a football club, you have got to act with integrity. Your manager and captain are normally pretty in sync. For me, Bruno Fernandes cannot be the captain of the football club."
Carrick, though, is standing by Fernandes and believes that the midfielder is 'fully committed' to United. The Red Devils boss made his stance clear during his pre-match press conference, saying: "He's the captain of our football club.
LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 31: Michael Carrick, head coach of Manchester United, looks on as he arrives ahead of the Premier League 2026/27 match between Chelsea FC and Manchester United at Stamford Bridge on October 31, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by James Gill - Danehouse/Getty Images)
Michael Carrick welcomed Bruno Fernandes back into his XI(Image: James Gill - Danehouse/Getty Images)
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"There are different personalities, different characteristics, different ways to lead. It all comes down to what happens on the football pitch and whether you win or not in the end.
"He cares deeply about this football club and the team and he's desperate to do well. We'll lead that together."
Carrick added: "It was a decision for the game. That's it. Bruno is fully committed to this football club. I've got no issues with that, we move forward."