BRUNO THROWS REPENTANT CARRICK UNDER THE BUS

Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes has openly questioned Michael Carrick’s tactical decisions following a humiliating 4-1 Champions League defeat to Como, piling pressure on the manager as the club’s alarming run without a win continues.

United were outplayed by the Italian side on Wednesday, October 21, 2026, conceding four goals before substitute Joshua Zirkzee scored a late consolation. The defeat extended United’s winless run to seven matches in all competitions, leaving Carrick facing growing scrutiny just months after signing a two-year contract.

Fernandes, who was substituted in the 67th minute, pointed to the coaching staff’s approach as one of the reasons behind the collapse, questioning why United did not press Como’s players more aggressively.

“We started on the wrong foot, and they scored very early,” Fernandes told TNT Sports. “There was not enough pressure on the ball and not many good movements off the ball. There were many things not going our way.”

The Portuguese midfielder argued that United allowed their opponents too much freedom by sitting back rather than applying pressure higher up the pitch.

“It’s a decision from the [coaching] staff not to press man-to-man and sometimes leave space behind and try to get the ball, wait for them, but sometimes when you give space to these teams they get confidence,” he said.

When asked whether he believed the tactics were wrong, Fernandes distanced himself from responsibility for the decision, leaving the matter squarely with the manager and his staff.

“That’s on the manager and staff to see, not me,” he said.

“Sometimes you have to be more brave under pressure, take the risk of pressing high and making them uncomfortable.”

His remarks have intensified concerns about divisions within the club, particularly after defender Lisandro Martinez recently criticised United’s hierarchy over its recruitment strategy following another disappointing European outing against Atletico Madrid.

Martinez had questioned whether the squad possessed the necessary quality to compete at the highest level before subsequently apologising for his comments. His earlier outburst had also brought attention to tensions surrounding the club’s transfer policy and football management.

Fernandes’ intervention has now placed Carrick under further pressure, with the captain questioning both the team’s tactical approach and its mentality after conceding early against Como.

“Conceding early makes us go into the game with a mood of defeat,” Fernandes said.

The defeat exposed United’s defensive weaknesses, with Como finding considerable space between the midfield and defence. The hosts struck early through Nico Paz before Anastasios Douvikas doubled their advantage shortly after the interval. Paz added his second of the night, while Jacobo Ramon scored Como’s fourth. Zirkzee’s stoppage-time effort proved little more than a consolation.

Carrick, meanwhile, accepted responsibility for the performance, apologising to supporters who travelled to Italy to watch their team suffer another damaging defeat.

“It was more than disappointing,” the 45-year-old manager told TNT Sports. “I think everybody’s got to take responsibility for that. I’ll take responsibility for the overall team and performance; it stops with me, and I’m fine with that.”

“But as a supporter of this football club, to see a performance like that is unacceptable, I have to say.”

The manager also admitted that United had failed to deliver the determination and intensity required to compete, particularly against opponents who took advantage of their defensive uncertainty.

“It’s the motivation and the purpose and the intensity of a game of football that you have to bring. We didn’t bring that today,” Carrick said. “I’ve got to apologise for the performance.”

Carrick reiterated his remorse over the defeat and the disappointment caused to travelling supporters, describing them as central to the club’s identity.

“I care an unbelievable amount about the supporters. They are the heartbeat of this football club and they always will be,” he said. “For them to travel, I had to apologize for the performance. To have to watch a performance like that, I totally feel for them.”

He also acknowledged the wider responsibility that comes with managing United, insisting that the buck stopped with him despite the team's collective failure.

“The responsibility stops with me and I accept that completely,” Carrick said in comments reflecting his determination to take ownership of the result.

Despite the apology, his position is becoming increasingly difficult to defend as results continue to deteriorate. United have managed just one victory in their opening seven Premier League matches, collecting seven points and sitting 13th in the standings. Their domestic struggles have been compounded by an early League Cup exit and a disappointing European campaign, in which they have collected three points from their first three Champions League matches.

The contrast with Carrick’s earlier spell in charge is stark. After taking over following Ruben Amorim’s departure in January 2026, he helped United finish third in the Premier League last season, securing Champions League qualification and restoring optimism among supporters.

That progress earned him a permanent contract, but the current campaign has brought a sharp reversal in fortunes, with tactical concerns, defensive frailties and growing dissatisfaction threatening to overshadow his earlier achievements.

United’s problems have also been compounded by injuries, with several key players reportedly sidelined, limiting Carrick’s options as he attempts to arrest the slide.

The latest defeat has therefore raised fresh questions about whether the manager can turn the situation around or whether the club’s leadership will begin considering alternatives. Pressure from supporters and criticism from influential players have added to the uncertainty surrounding his future.

Carrick now faces a demanding run of fixtures, beginning with Bournemouth at Old Trafford on Sunday, October 25, followed by an away Premier League meeting with Chelsea on October 31. United will then host AS Roma in the Champions League on November 3 before facing Aston Villa and Liverpool in the league, with a European trip to Sporting CP following on November 25.

With confidence continuing to erode, the coming weeks could prove decisive for Carrick. His willingness to accept responsibility may help ease tensions temporarily, but Fernandes’ pointed criticism has made it clear that the manager must address more than just the results if he is to restore unity and stability at Old Trafford.