Manchester United head coach Michael Carrick and captain Bruno Fernandes met face to face at the club's Carrington training base on the morning of 27 October, before training, to end the dispute sparked by Fernandes's public criticism of the team's tactics. Sky Sports reported that the conversation was open and frank and that Carrick is satisfied the animosity between them is over.
According to The Guardian, the 32-year-old captain offered assurances that he is fully committed to turning the season around, and the rest of the squad made the same vow at a separate team meeting. Sky Sports added that players and staff agreed there had been a squad-wide underperformance so far and that standards had to improve immediately.
It is not known whether Fernandes apologised for his comments, Sky Sports said, and VnExpress also reported that no apology had been confirmed. He is now expected to be in contention for the Premier League game at Chelsea on 31 October, and The Guardian expects him to start.
How the row developed
Our timeline, compiled from Sky Sports, The Guardian and VnExpress:
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 21 October | United lose 4-1 at Como in the Champions League; Fernandes questions the pressing plan |
| 22 October | Sky Sports reports Fernandes keeps the captaincy |
| 23 October | Carrick refuses to rule out disciplinary measures at his pre-Bournemouth press conference |
| 25 October | United lose 3-0 at home to Bournemouth; Fernandes is an unused substitute |
| 27 October | Carrick and Fernandes meet; squad meeting held; Carrick kept on for the Chelsea game |
| 28 October | Kobbie Mainoo returns to training after injury |
| 31 October | United play Chelsea at Stamford Bridge |
After the Como defeat, Fernandes said the approach was "a decision from the staff to not press man to man", leaving opponents with too much of the ball. Asked whether the tactics were to blame, he replied: "That's on the manager and on the staff to see it, it's not on me." Because Carrick sets the tactics, The Guardian noted, this was seen as a direct attack on the head coach.
Carrick described his reasons for leaving out his captain as "pure football" and told Sky Sports that "Picking the team is always a difficult decision". Gary Neville, speaking on Sky Sports, said Fernandes had let himself down: "I'm sorry, read the room, Bruno." Fernandes was the second United player to criticise the club publicly in October, after Lisandro Martinez spoke out following the Champions League defeat at Atletico Madrid; Martinez was also benched against Bournemouth.
Pressure on Carrick
| Stat | Figure |
|---|---|
| Premier League position | 16th |
| Record after eight league games | Won 1, drawn 4, lost 3, 7 points |
| Gap to the relegation zone | 1 point |
| Wins this season | 2 in 12 games |
| Carabao Cup | Knocked out 3-2 by Brighton on 16 September |
The league record is from Bongda24h; the other figures are from The Guardian.
The Guardian reports that director of football Jason Wilcox decided the 45-year-old should be given more time, but suggests the reprieve may also allow Wilcox to line up a replacement should the club decide to make a change. His prime candidate is former Newcastle manager Eddie Howe, while head of recruitment Christopher Vivell favours former Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann, who is currently out of club football according to VnExpress.
Carrick is also short of a striker. Benjamin Sesko, his only recognised senior centre-forward, is expected to be out until January with a shin injury, and Bryan Mbeumo and Fernandes have often been used as false nines in his absence.
What comes next
After Chelsea on 31 October, United host Roma in the Champions League three days later and then face Aston Villa in the league the following Sunday, before a two-week international break that The Guardian says would give the board a longer period to assess the situation. Mainoo's return to training on 28 October, after missing four games, gives Carrick another midfield option for Stamford Bridge.