Carragher brands Fernandes 'a disgrace' after United captain blames Carrick for 4-1 Como collapse

Jamie Carragher has called Bruno Fernandes’ public criticism of Manchester United manager Michael Carrick “a disgrace” after the Portuguese captain vented his frustration on the pitch during a 4-1 Champions League defeat to Como. Cesc Fabregas’ side swept past United in the league phase fixture, leaving Carrick’s team 20th in the table and seven games without a win across all competitions.

Fernandes, visibly agitated after being substituted, took aim at the coaching staff’s decision to avoid man-to-man pressing. “It’s a decision from the staff to not press man to man and sometimes leave space behind and try to get the ball, wait for them,” he said. “But sometimes when you give space to these teams they get confidence.” The 32-year-old added that United should show “more brave under pressure.”

Carragher, speaking on CBS Sports, was unsparing in his response. “For Bruno Fernandes to do that, it’s a disgrace,” he said. “When you think about last season, he got player of the year. That was on the back of Michael Carrick becoming the manager. He wouldn’t have got that award without Carrick. Carrick put him back in his rightful position. And he then went on to have a fantastic season because he’s a talented footballer.”

The former Liverpool defender also questioned Fernandes’ work ethic, arguing that the captain’s pressing style has long undermined United’s defensive structure. “When he talks about pressing, whether it’s man-to-man or zonal, for years, Bruno Fernandes has meant Manchester United can’t press because he does things for the crowd,” Carragher said. “I commentate on games watching Man United and he runs all over the place like a kid in the schoolyard for the supporters. They all think he’s working hard. He’s not. He’s killing the rest of the team doing it.”

Carragher acknowledged Fernandes’ quality as a footballer but drew a clear line between talent and conduct. “In terms of attitude and the way he goes about things, it’s not right at all. And he’s reacted like that because he’s been brought off.”

The defeat deepens the pressure on Carrick, who took charge of United last season and guided Fernandes to the club’s player of the year award. Three rounds into the Champions League league phase, United have yet to register a win, and the public fallout between captain and manager has added a new dimension to what is already a turbulent start to the campaign.