Manchester United have decided against stripping Bruno Fernandes of the captaincy following his public criticism of the coaching staff after their defeat to Como, according to reports. The Red Devils suffered a 4-1 thrashing by the Serie A side on Wednesday, extending their winless run across all competitions to seven matches and increasing pressure on manager Michael Carrick.
Captaincy Status and Club Reaction
Following the match, Fernandes publicly questioned the team’s tactical approach by stating that the coaching staff chose not to press man-to-man, which left space behind. His comments drew sharp criticism from several pundits and former players, with Frank Leboeuf labeling the remarks a betrayal of Carrick.
However, as reported by Sky Sports News reporter Rob Dorsett on X, the club feels that Fernandes was simply voicing understandable frustration regarding how the team lost. Dorsett stated that the midfielder will not lose the armband and is unlikely to face disciplinary action from the club.
Dorsett added that while club bosses are growing increasingly concerned about the team’s poor run of form, Carrick is expected to lead the squad as normal for Sunday’s fixture against Bournemouth, with no definitive plans made beyond that match.
Neil Warnock’s Assessment of the Situation
Former manager Neil Warnock offered his perspective on talkSPORT, describing Fernandes’ post-match remarks as a disgrace while noting that players often blame external factors rather than looking at themselves. Despite his criticism, Warnock believes Carrick has little choice but to select his captain for the weekend.
Warnock explained that Carrick will need to have a conversation with the player and ultimately include him in the starting lineup for Sunday’s home fixture. He also compared the situation to recent comments from Lisandro Martinez, suggesting that such reactions indicate players are not fully behind the manager.
When asked how he would handle the situation if he were in charge, Warnock admitted that while a manager must speak with the player, a loyal captain would never have made such public remarks in the first place.
