Fernandes publicly blames Carrick's tactics after Manchester United's 4-1 collapse at Como

Bruno Fernandes publicly challenged Manchester United manager Michael Carrick’s tactical approach after the Red Devils were beaten 4-1 by Como in the Champions League on Wednesday, with goals from Nico Paz, Anastasios Douvikas and Jacobo Ramon putting the game beyond reach before Joshua Zirkzee’s stoppage-time consolation in Lombardy.

Asked directly whether Carrick had chosen the wrong tactics, Fernandes did not deflect. “It’s a decision from the staff to not press man to man and sometimes leave space behind and try to get the ball, but sometimes when you give too much the ball to these teams they get confidence,” the United captain said. “That’s on the manager and staff to see it, not me. Sometimes you have to be more brave under pressure, take the risk of pressing high and making them uncomfortable.”

Carrick responded by placing the responsibility back on his players. “Whatever tactics you play, if you don’t run, and you don’t run forward, and you don’t run back, you aren’t going to win,” the former England midfielder said.

The public exchange has deepened concerns at Old Trafford, where United have now lost their last two Champions League phase matches and have recorded wins only against Sabah and newly promoted Ipswich Town across all competitions this season. Carrick was appointed on a permanent basis after stepping up to guide United back into the Champions League following Ruben Amorim’s departure earlier this year, but patience is thinning with each setback.

Former Chelsea and England midfielder Joe Cole was unsparing in his assessment of Fernandes’ comments. “I’ve played for managers where you don’t agree with the tactics and you might say that to your mate or your wife,” Cole said. “You don’t come out, as captain of the club, and question the manager. He doesn’t even do it properly. If you’re going to do it, come out and say it with your chest.”

Cole added: “You can think the manager has got the tactics wrong, that’s fine. Go into his office tomorrow morning and have a conversation — but to come out in front of the nation as club captain and question your manager is simply unacceptable.”

Fernandes’ remarks follow a separate controversy involving defender Lisandro Martinez, who apologised after publicly targeting United technical director Jason Wilcox in the aftermath of a recent result. The two incidents together paint a picture of a dressing room whose frustrations are increasingly difficult to contain.