Carragher brands Fernandes 'an absolute disgrace' after United skipper attacks Carrick post-defeat

Jamie Carragher launched a scathing attack on Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes after the Portuguese midfielder publicly blamed manager Michael Carrick for United’s 4-1 defeat to Como in Serie A, calling his conduct “an absolute disgrace” and comparing him unfavourably to club legend Bryan Robson.

Fernandes followed Lisandro Martinez in criticising Carrick during post-match media duties after Nico Paz’s brace helped Cesc Fabregas’ side to a commanding win in Northern Italy, piling further pressure on the former Middlesbrough boss.

Speaking on CBS Sports, Carragher defended Carrick and argued that Fernandes’ outburst was driven by personal embarrassment after being substituted late in the game. “For Bruno Fernandes to do that is a disgrace really,” Carragher said. “He’s reacted like that because he’s been brought off and he’s been embarrassed by the manager.”

Carragher went further, arguing that Fernandes has long been a structural problem for United’s pressing game. “For years, Bruno Fernandes has meant Manchester United can’t press,” he said. “He does things for the crowd — he runs all over and plays like a kid in the schoolyard, he plays for the supporters, it looks like he’s working hard, he’s not, he’s killing the team doing it.”

The former Liverpool defender also pointed to the irony of Fernandes attacking the man who helped revive his career. “When you think about last season he got Player of the Season — that was off the back of Michael Carrick becoming manager. He wouldn’t have got that without Michael Carrick because he got put back in his rightful position and went on to have a fantastic season because he’s a talented footballer. But in terms of attitude, the way he goes about things, is not right at all.”

Carragher invoked the memory of Bryan Robson to underline what he believes a United captain should represent. “Years ago, there was a captain called Bryan Robson, one of the greatest players to ever play for Man United because he played for the club — he didn’t throw the manager or the players under the bus. He kept fighting for Manchester United. Watching Fernandes throw his arms up every week and calling the manager out, considering how he’s performed this season on the pitch — awful attitude and not what a Manchester United captain should do.”

The defeat leaves Carrick under mounting pressure, with Carragher acknowledging that a managerial change may be necessary. Fernandes’ public criticism, coming so soon after Martinez’s own broadside at the club’s hierarchy, signals a deepening unrest within the United dressing room.