Michael Carrick explains Bruno Fernandes’ bench role after Man Utd tactics row

Michael Carrick has insisted that Bruno Fernandes was dropped to the bench for Manchester United’s Premier League clash against Bournemouth for footballing reasons rather than as punishment for criticising his tactics.

According to the Manchester Evening News, Fernandes was left out of the starting XI on Sunday, October 25, following United’s 4-1 defeat to Como in midweek. The Portuguese midfielder had questioned the team’s approach, saying:

“It’s a decision from the staff to not 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.”

Asked whether the decision was disciplinary or tactical, Carrick told Sky Sports: “Pure football. Pure football.”He added that selecting the starting XI involved difficult decisions and that his priority was choosing the team most likely to deliver the desired performance. Fernandes’ omission comes amid growing tensions at Old Trafford, following Lisandro Martinez’s recent criticism of the club’s hierarchy.