Fernandes pays tribute to sacked Carrick despite earlier tactical criticism

Bruno Fernandes offered a public tribute to Michael Carrick on Instagram after Manchester United sacked the manager on November 12, writing “Thanks for everything, boss” alongside a photograph of the pair shaking hands on the pitch.

The gesture came just weeks after a turbulent spell in their relationship. Fernandes had openly criticised Carrick’s tactics following a 4-1 Champions League defeat to Como, comments that led to him being dropped to the bench for subsequent fixtures. The United captain later suggested the demotion may have been a direct response to his words — and accepted it as fair.

After a 4-4 draw with Aston Villa, Fernandes addressed the fallout directly, pushing back against media coverage he felt had distorted events. “There’s been a lot of speculation in the media,” he said at Old Trafford. “A lot of lies around many things that have happened between me and the manager, that we have cleared the air, then after that the manager took the decision to put me on the bench because I’m not performing. That’s fair. Everyone thought that was a punishment for the words that I had. And, if it was, it was right. The manager is the one who makes the decisions.”

He was equally firm in his support for Carrick at the time, adding: “It doesn’t change the belief I have of the manager and the staff and every player in this club. It doesn’t change my aim to win every game that I have ahead of me.”

Carrick was still overseeing training sessions as reports emerged of United closing in on a deal with Mauricio Pochettino, making his eventual departure an open question for some days before it was confirmed.

Despite the turbulence of recent weeks, Fernandes and Carrick shared a productive working relationship across their time together. The Portuguese midfielder contributed 11 goals and 17 assists in 34 appearances last season, helping United to a third-placed league finish under Carrick’s stewardship.