United debacle: Bruno Fernandes criticises Michael Carrick's tactics

Manchester United's captain Bruno Fernandes criticised the playing style imposed by coach Michael Carrick after the 1-4 defeat to Como in the Champions League. The midfielder expressed his dissatisfaction on Wednesday evening and called for more aggression in pressing. He emphasised that the team showed too little man‑to‑man pressure and left too much space behind.

Tactical criticism from Fernandes

"It is the decision of the coaching staff not to press man‑to‑man and thereby sometimes leave space behind in an attempt to win the ball," Fernandes said. "But if you give teams like Como space, they gain more and more confidence," he added. He wishes for a bolder, higher‑pressing style of play to make it harder for the opponent.

Como opened the game already in the second minute through Nico Paz, who later scored a double. After the side change, Tassos Douvikas made it 1‑1, before Paz struck again in the 57th minute. The decisive goal by Jacobo Ramon in the 76th minute made it 4‑0, while Joshua Zirkzee scored United's only goal in stoppage time.

United's 4-1 defeat fuels Conte speculation as Carrick's future hangs

Pressure on Carrick's coaching position

Coach Michael Carrick, who was appointed on an interim basis in January after the dismissal of Ruben Amorim, is now under growing pressure. Manchester United have collected only seven points from the first seven Premier League games, a result that does not meet the club's ambitions. In the Champions League, the defeat to Como was already the second of three games, following a 0‑2 loss to Atletico Madrid and a 4‑0 win over Sabah FK.

In response to media reports that label his future as uncertain, Carrick said on Wednesday: "It is more than disappointing. I take 100 percent responsibility for the whole team and the performance." He stressed that now it is about processing the game, and pointed out that his contract runs until the summer of 2028.

Carrick promises measures as Manchester United sinks

Whether Bruno Fernandes' criticism will prompt the coaching staff to change tactical direction remains to be seen, while the squad must again prove in the upcoming Premier League round that it can learn from its mistakes.