Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes has publicly questioned head coach Michael Carrick’s tactical instructions following a dismal 4-1 defeat against Como in the UEFA Champions League. The heavy loss marked the club’s fifth defeat in 11 matches as the Serie A side completely outplayed the English giants.
Carrick’s squad failed to match the off-the-ball intensity and possession dominance of Cesc Fabregas’s team, resulting in a humiliating setback at Old Trafford. Addressing reporters after the match, Fernandes pointed the finger directly at the coaching staff, revealing that the players had been specifically instructed not to press their opponents. He placed the blame on Carrick and his coaches and claimed the team was told not to press.
When questioned about whether the management got their setup wrong, Fernandes emphasized that granting so much freedom in the middle of the pitch to a technically proficient team always creates severe problems. He added that Manchester United cannot escape their current struggles unless they show significantly more courage on the ball. He insisted that allowing a team that plays through the middle a lot of the time on the ball will cause issues.
The European loss leaves Manchester United sitting 20th in the league phase standings, with an upcoming home fixture against AS Roma on the horizon. Domestically, the Red Devils prepare to face Bournemouth, a side currently positioned 15th in the Premier League table just two spots below them. This sluggish start echoes their recent European outing against Atletico Madrid, where a slow beginning also led to a 2-0 defeat. This is not the first time the Red Devils have started poorly in the UCL; they went behind early against Atletico Madrid in their recent 2-0 loss to the LaLiga club too.
