Who was right about Man Utd tactics: Carrick or Fernandes?

Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes and head coach Michael Carrick disagreed over the team's tactics in the 4-1 Champions League defeat at Como. Analysis Man Utd boss Michael Carrick and captain Bruno Fernandes clash over tactics in Como defeat – but who was right? Man Utd have not won for seven matches and captain Bruno Fernandes openly questioned the tactics of his head coach Michael Carrick after a crushing 4-1 defeat to Como in the Champions League – here we dig into the numbers to find out who was right Thursday 22 October 2026 16:57, UK Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player Como head coach Cesc Fabregas revealed he told his players to slow down when 4-0 up against Man Utd Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes and head coach Michael Carrick disagreed over the team's tactics in the 4-1 Champions League defeat at Como.

Did Man Utd sit off Como too much? Fernandes said United gave Como too much time and space in possession and blamed this on the staff's decision not to press man to man. United have been attempting to press man to man at times this season, often with bad outcomes.

You can see just how ill-suited the current group are for that approach here. Carra: Fernandes comments disgraceful Fernandes criticises coaches after Como defeat Como 4-1 Man Utd – Match report and reaction Not got Sky? Latest Sky Sports deals or stream Premier League games with no contract 📺 Fernandes blames Carrick and his staff "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 the ball to these teams they get confident, they have so many bodies behind the ball that make you run a lot, make people get frustrated, and then obviously when you recover the ball the legs are, and the brain, much more difficult to make it work." Fernandes is not wrong to say United gave Como a lot of space. The Italian side completed 600 passes, which is more than any other team in a game against United this season. In fact, the three games when opposition teams have completed most passes against United have come in the last three games against Como, Atletico Madrid and Leeds.

While head coach Michael Carrick should be in charge for Sunday's match against Bournemouth, Manchester United begin the process of identifying possible replacements. Image source, Getty Images Image caption, Michael Carrick apologises to Manchester United's 700 travelling fans after the 4-1 Champions League defeat by Como By Simon Stone, Chief football news reporter in Como, Sami Mokbel, Senior football correspondent and Dan Roan, Sports editor Published 22 October 2026, 13:48 BST Updated 1 hour ago Michael Carrick will remain in charge of Manchester United for Sunday's Premier League match against Bournemouth, but senior figures are concerned about performances and results.

Carrick reportedly be carrying on as normal and has not been made aware of any imminent change following Wednesday's humiliating 4-1 defeat by Italian side Como. But some at Old Trafford believe the squad should be doing much better, with one source telling BBC Sport: "We need to work hard to get through it." Another accepted the level of current injuries "doesn't help, but no excuse", claiming effort levels were "concerning".

"We have a Champions League squad and need to be playing at that level," the source said. Despite concern at the performances, some in the United hierachy are of the view chopping and changing mangers so regularly in recent years has failed to arrest United's decline, and Carrick has been let down by players who are under-performing.

While club sources say Carrick will remain in charge for Sunday's match, United have already begun the process of identifying possible replacements. Eddie Howe, Antonio Conte and Julian Naglesmann are understood to have their eyes on the Old Trafford job.

After Wednesday's match – United's seventh in a row without a win – captain Bruno Fernandes questioned Carrick's tactics. The players were given Thursday off but will be back at Carrington on Friday when Carrick will hold his news conference to preview the Bournemouth match at 1330 BST.

While there remains major uncertainty over Carrick future, there is also an appreciation in some quarters of the progress he and his squad made last season, and a view he should be given more time to turn things around. For weeks, managers – in and out of work – have grown aware the United job may become available.

Howe, for example, is available and would be considered. Sources have indicated the former Newcastle boss is open to returning to management with United after leaving St James' Park in the close season.

Former Chelsea boss Conte and ex-Germany manager Naglesmann, who are also out of work, are also interested. Aston Villa head coach Unai Emery and Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler's stock is high with those in the corridors of power at United – but extracting them from their respective clubs would be difficult.

'Not what a captain should be' – the debate around Fernandes' outburst Published 4 hours ago Breaking down Man Utd's tactics after Fernandes' criticism Published 3 hours ago Man Utd humbling by Como leaves Carrick job in danger Carrick's possible fate echoes predecessors For the third year in a row, United have publicly and financially backed a manager in the summer, but positive results have not followed. Ruben Amorim staggered on to January, but the shock League Cup defeat at League Two side Grimsby last August and the awful performance at Brentford less than a month later stripped away his safety net and gave United's hierarchy nowhere to go when he attacked their influence.

United looked extensively at other candidates, including Thomas Tuchel and Roberto de Zerbi, in the summer of 2024 before deciding to stick with Erik ten Hag. The Dutchman was dismissed in the October.

There were dissenting voices when he was appointed on a permanent basis in May, but the majority of supporters felt 12 wins from 17 in interim charge and a place in the Champions League after a two-year absence meant the 45-year-old former United midfielder deserved a crack at the job. But, as ever, results shape everything.

There are many reasons behind the club's poor form this season and blame can be apportioned across an of departments and to the very top of the club. The brutal truth is two wins from 11 games, and none in seven, their worst run since 2015-16 when eight matches without a win took Louis van Gaal to the brink of dismissal, is simply not good enough.

And as head coach, Carrick bears significant responsibility for that. Accusations of a lack of passion, desire and intensity have dogged United all season, having won just two of their matches in all competitions.

The team have also been hampered by injuries and players failing to reach the level anticipated. While they have struggled in attack, they have also only kept a single clean sheet all season as form, results and confidence have all dipped.

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