Sacked United coach Holland labelled 'extremely arrogant' and the real target of Fernandes' outburst

Steve Holland was sacked by Manchester United on 12 November alongside manager Michael Carrick, but reports suggest the former England assistant left behind a far more complicated legacy than his superior — including being the primary target of Bruno Fernandes’ public dressing-down after a 4-1 Champions League defeat to Como.

Carrick lasted just 174 days in the permanent role, having earned the job by guiding United to third in the Premier League last season. The club now sit 18th in the table, with a single top-flight win to their name, and Mauricio Pochettino has been appointed to attempt a rescue.

While Carrick has been afforded a warm farewell befitting his status as a club legend, Holland has reportedly not been mourned in the same way. According to Roundtable, the coach was initially well regarded when he arrived at Old Trafford but quickly began clashing with players. One source described him as “extremely arrogant” and said he was not a popular figure within the squad.

Fernandes’ post-match interview following the Como defeat now appears to have been directed at Holland specifically, rather than Carrick alone. Speaking after the loss, the United captain said: “It’s a decision from the staff to not press man-to-man and sometimes leave a little space in behind and try to get the ball in the first moment, to wait for them, to give them the ball. But sometimes when you give too much of the ball to these teams they get confident.”

Pushed further on the tactics, Fernandes was blunt: “That’s on the manager and on the staff to see it. It’s not on me. I think sometimes we have to be more brave on the pressure, trying to take a risk of getting that press very high and making them uncomfortable — as they did to us.”

Not every member of the departing coaching staff attracted criticism. Reports indicate that Travis Binnion was respected within the group, and goalkeeping coach Craig Mawson was described as well liked. Fellow coach Jonathan Woodgate, however, was considered too inexperienced by some staff members.

Pochettino is set to bring in his own backroom team as he begins the task of reversing United’s alarming slide. Jonny Evans also departed alongside the outgoing coaching staff.