Carrick backs Fernandes' captaincy style after Solskjaer's 'too emotional' verdict

Michael Carrick publicly backed Bruno Fernandes as Manchester United captain on Friday, pushing back against Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s long-held belief that the Portuguese midfielder was too volatile to lead the club.

Speaking at his pre-match press conference ahead of United’s game against Chelsea, Carrick was reminded that Solskjaer had once passed over Fernandes for the captaincy — choosing Harry Maguire instead — because he felt Fernandes was “too passionate at times and loses a bit of control.” Carrick was unequivocal in his response.

“I don’t think it’s about comparing opinions to others,” Carrick said. “He’s the captain of our football club. 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.”

The defence comes at a sensitive moment. Fernandes publicly questioned Carrick’s tactics in an interview following United’s defeat to Como in Italy, comments that threatened to destabilise the dressing room. Carrick responded by dropping Fernandes to the bench for the subsequent match against Bournemouth, leaving him unused among five substitutions. The two have since held clear-the-air talks at the club’s Carrington training ground.

Fernandes was handed the captaincy by Erik ten Hag in the summer of 2023 when the Dutchman stripped the armband from Maguire, whom Solskjaer had appointed. Solskjaer later explained his original decision publicly, citing Fernandes’ emotional volatility as the reason he was overlooked.

Carrick indicated the relationship between himself and Fernandes remains intact. “He cares deeply about this football club and about the team and he’s desperate to do well. We’ll lead that together,” he said.

On the broader squad dynamic, Carrick was equally firm. “It’s important that we have that connection. We have got that. At the moment it’s easy to question a lot of things, and I totally accept why and what it looks like, but I have absolutely no issue with that regard. We need to play better and we need to show certain things better. The connection with us is as strong as ever.”

The week has been a difficult one for Fernandes off the pitch as well. His family home was burgled while United were playing Como in Italy, and the club has provided support to the midfielder and his family. Sources within the club described Fernandes as returning to his “best version” in training this week following the turbulent period.