Manchester United manager Michael Carrick has responded to criticism from team captain Bruno Fernandes following the club’s 4-1 defeat against Como in the Champions League on Wednesday.
The Italian side overwhelmed United during the European clash, with Cesc Fabregas’ team securing the win through a brace from Nico Paz alongside goals from Anastasios Douvikas and Jacobo Ramón. Following the match, former United defender Rio Ferdinand remarked that Como made the squad look like they had “won a raffle to play in the Champions League.”
Fernandes Questions Tactical Approach
Fernandes publicly challenged the team’s tactical game-plan, marking another notable post-match critique from the squad following comments by Lisandro Martinez the previous week. The Portuguese midfielder argued that sitting off the opposition granted them unwarranted momentum.
“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,” Fernandes said.
When asked whether Carrick had made an error with the tactical setup, Fernandes pointed to the coaching staff while calling for greater aggression on the pitch.
“That’s on the manager and staff to see, not me. Sometimes you have to be more brave under pressure, take the risk of pressing high and making them uncomfortable. As you saw with them [Como], the centre-back was coming to mark me in my own half. We need to do that as a team but we were unable to,” Fernandes stated, adding that allowing opponents room to connect through central areas leaves defending teams exposed on the flanks.
Carrick Demands Work Rate Over Tactics
Carrick described the team’s showing as “unacceptable” before countering Fernandes’ tactical claims during his post-match press conference, turning the focus onto the players’ physical effort.
“We actually half-pressed man-to-man the second half and then conceded a goal from that,” Carrick said. “And there’s a little bit on whatever system you play, whatever tactics you play, if you don’t run, and you don’t run forward, and you don’t run back, you ain’t going to win.”
Addressing the fans, Carrick acknowledged that the overall attitude during the match was what troubled him most. “We might win, we might lose, but the way we went about it tonight, I wouldn’t say everyone, but the way we went about it in some ways tonight wasn’t acceptable. And I just wanted to let the fans know that I feel for them, for sure,” he stated, noting that the general manner of play was the most difficult aspect to watch.
Carrick reiterated the accountability required when representing the club, remarking, “It’s not about playing for me, it’s about playing for this football club. It’s the responsibility that comes with being in the position; I’m responsible for the football club and the supporters.” He added that he remains completely invested in the job and continues to give everything he possibly can to his role.
