Jamie Carragher has labelled Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes 'a disgrace' for his comments after Manchester United's 4-1 defeat to Como in the Champions League
The former Liverpool defender criticised Fernandes, saying, 'In terms of attitude and the way he goes about things, it's not right at all'
Fernandes appeared to question manager Michael Carrick's tactics, by saying 'you have to be more brave' and urging the 'manager and the staff' to 'take the risk'
Carrick has 'major uncertainty' over his future but there is 'an appreciation in some quarters' of the squad's progress last season, writes Dan Roan
Carrick said he 'had to apologise to the supporters' and that he's 'really angry' about the situation
Manchester United are still to confirm whether Michael Carrick will be charge for Bournemouth, writes Simon Stone
Send your views and have your say in our poll - was Fernandes right to speak out? Paddy says he'd rather have 'academy players who care' | Sam says it shows the deeper problem at Man Utd
And so this conversation will continue, but that's it for today, at least.
Join us again on Friday when Manchester United manager Michael Carrick is scheduled to face the media to discuss Sunday's Premier League game at home to Bournemouth.
He should not be short of things to discuss...again.
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Man Utd owners aren't football fans, they aren't even Man Utd fans. Until we get owners who understand the emotional pains associated with fanning a failing club things will never change. Sell the club to those who really care about football rather than punishing football lovers.
Sunday, Nigeria
Como 4-1 Manchester United
Since Sir Alex Ferguson retired in 2013, Manchester United have employed seven permanent managers - eight if you include a lengthy 'interim' spell of six months for Ralf Rangnick.
But the route from David Moyes to Michael Carrick shows little in the way of a consistent, long-term plan.
Instead, the club has lurched violently, one way then the other with their managerial appointments.
Arguably the greatest continuity in approach - and even this is a stretch - came in appointing Jose Mourinho to replace Louis van Gaal. Both big-name managers with significant pedigree and a wealth of experience.
But once things went sour with Mourinho, they went a different way, looking for a connection back to the Ferguson days in the form of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
Eventually, the wheels fell off for Ole as well so a more strategic, analytical option was sought. Enter Rangnick.
Erik ten Hag represented a younger, more up-and-coming head coach who had excelled in Europe and, in fairness, the same was true of his successor Ruben Amorim, albeit the latter wanted to play a completely different shape and style.
Once Amorim's dismal spell came to an end, it was back to the comfort of the Ferguson era once more in Carrick - as with Solskjaer, though, after initial encouragement, the magic appears to have worn off.
The former United midfielder may yet be given the chance to try and improve things but, given what has gone before, perhaps it is little wonder players feel so empowered to openly criticise the manager.
A new one is never too far away.
'That is on the manager' - Fernandes on Man Utd tactics
So Peter says it's down to the owners and Iain believes the players are not fit enough, which he puts down to the manager and coaching staff.
Yet Gareth asks - if not Michael Carrick, then who?
Well, we brought you a report earlier, via the Telegraph, that former Germany manager Julian Nagelsmann would be interested to talk with the United hierarchy, if the head coach position became available.
David Moyes, Louis van Gaal, Jose Mourinho, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Erik ten Hag, Ruben Amorim, Michael Carrick...there is always someone willing to pick up the gauntlet Gareth, it seems.
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It's all very well saying that Carrick should go but who in their right minds would want to manage us in the state that we're in?
Gareth, Anglesey
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The players are simply not fit enough to play against elite teams in Premier League or Champions League. Every team they have played are fitter, with higher levels of energy and intensity. That’s the role and responsibility of the manager and coaching staff to schedule into training.
Iain, Cornwall
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The Glazer's ownership has been a disaster. Ineos promised to fix things but they have actively made it worse. Carrick, the players and the fans were promised a big summer in the transfer market. It didn't happen. Sacking Carrick will solve nothing. The rot starts at the top.
Peter, Ormskirk
Como 4-1 Manchester United
Image source, Getty ImagesAnother week goes by and another Manchester United player causes a stir by airing negative views in public.
Bruno Fernandes' criticism of head coach Michael Carrick's tactics against Como followed last week's outburst by Lisandro Martinez, which came on the back of United's 2-1 defeat at Atletico Madrid.
The Argentina centre-back threw his full support behind Carrick, instead targeting the club's hierarchy, in particular director of football Jason Wilcox.
Martinez said the club had not signed enough players over the summer and had left Carrick under-equipped to juggle a domestic and European campaign.
"We did a fantastic season last season and now we expect more from the top, more players to compete because many teams bring many players as well," Martinez told Amazon Prime Video.
"I expect more [investment]. 100%. I expect more from our technical director [Jason Wilcox].
"I have to be honest, as players we have to do more but it is also important when you make a strong squad to be ready for this kind of night.
"Tonight it is easy to [blame] the coach, easy to say the players but also we have to see other areas."
Martinez later apologised for his comments, saying the "frustration of defeat led him to express how he felt". He was punished by the club but was not dropped by Carrick and started Sunday's 1-1 draw at Leeds.
Whenever a team suffers a bad result, or a run of bad results, the finger of blame tends to point in one of three different directions:
At Manchester United, at present, it seems the blame is being shared by all three, although not necessarily in equal portions.
What is a little unusual, is that players - Lisandro Martinez and Bruno Fernandes - have started to publicly join the blame game...
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When you're not organised as a team, you get exploited. This United team does not follow up on missed passes. They just run around. If they were quick to fight back for missed balls, and use them, the story would have been different. This team lacks extra commitment.
Ernest, Accra
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Consistently sacking managers without backing them is a recipe for disaster. Trying to play without buying a striker is entirely the fault of the owners.
Keith, Rochdale
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If you watched the game, friend or foe, if you enjoy and analyse games, you would have obviously noticed the way that Cunha was an absolute non-trier and I would have hooked him after 20 minutes. What are you doing on the pitch if you don’t want to participate?
Michael, England
Como 4-1 Manchester United
Michael Carrick said last night that "whatever tactics you use, if you don't run...you aren't going to win", in response to criticism from captain Bruno Fernandes about his decision not to use a high press in Wednesday's 4-1 defeat at Como.
Only Liverpool (776.51km) have covered less ground than Manchester United (784.41km) in the Premier League so far this season.
However, leaders Manchester City (785.13km) have covered only fractionally more ground than their derby rivals.
United have been outrun and outsprinted by their opponents in all seven Premier League fixtures, except for their 1-0 derby defeat by City, who played with 10 men for more than an hour.
Image source, Getty ImagesComo 4-1 Manchester United
BBC Football Daily
BBC Football Daily
Manchester United fan Jay Motty, speaking on the latest episode of Football Daily about Bruno Fernandes' comments:
"I didn’t like what he said. It felt like he was throwing the manager under the bus. Didn’t take responsibility for his own game. Those conversations are better to be had in the dressing room.
"Carrick cares deeply about the club. It was great to see someone you respected and admired as a player come back and be successful last season. It’s deflating seeing him like he is now.
"I’d be very surprised if he keeps the job but fans need to respect him. He’s in an impossible situation. At least you can see he’s trying and he cares."
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Fernandes and Martinez only had outbursts in the media because the outbursts in the dressing room are ignored. Player management is the issue on and off the pitch. Como were 11, mostly unheard of players, playing like a real team, United have just 11 individuals.
Paul, Borehamwood
Como 4-1 Manchester United
Simon Stone
BBC Sport Manchester United reporter
Manchester United are still to confirm whether Michael Carrick will be charge for Bournemouth.
Carrick is under pressure after a run of seven games without a win, which included a 4-1 defeat at Como in the Champions League on Wednesday night.
Sources say the Manchester United head coach is carrying on as normal and has not been made aware of any imminent change.
The players have been given today off, while United are still to confirm arrangements for Friday's planned news conference to preview Sunday's Premier League game at home to Bournemouth.
Como 4-1 Manchester United
Dan Roan
BBC sports editor
Some senior figures at Manchester United are of the view that chopping and changing mangers so regularly in recent years has failed to arrest United’s decline, and that Michael Carrick has been let down by players who are under-performing.
That does not necessarily mean that Carrick is safe, of course. There remains major uncertainty over his future. But there is also an appreciation in some quarters of the progress that he and his squad made last season, and a view that he should be given more time to turn things around.
Como 4-1 Manchester United
BBC Football Daily
BBC Football Daily
Andy Mitten, editor of United We Stand speaking about Man United on today's episode of Football Daily: "There are deeper structural issues. A lot can go back to Glazers takeover. A cloud has hung over Man United since then. The debt weighs the club down."
Speaking to 5Live this morning, Mitten added: "Bruno Fernandes has been Manchester United's best player by a distance since he signed in January 2020, and he threw his coach under the bus last night by criticising the tactics. It's a terrible look."
Hear more from Andy Mitten by listening to the latest episode of the BBC's Football Daily podcast on BBC Sounds or BBC iPlayer
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Fernandes sets a bad example with his antics. Not captain material. His shooting is hit and miss and now his passing has gone. Last night he wasn't tracking back. Was rightly taken off. Owners and senior management are the issue, taking transfer money out as dividends or to pay interest.
Alastair, Manchester
Como 4-1 Manchester United
Thank you for joining us, if you are just catching up on today's Champions League debrief.
The focus has been on Manchester United this morning after their 4-1 defeat at Como triggered some startling comments from skipper Bruno Fernandes and a withering response from manager Michael Carrick, as well as football pundits and readers.
Here's a quick recap: