Carrick Says Fernandes Could Miss Bournemouth Match

Manchester United manager Michael Carrick said he may leave captain Bruno Fernandes out of the squad for the Sunday Premier League clash with Bournemouth. Carrick delivered a passionate five‑minute‑thirty‑second address at the start of Friday’s pre‑match media briefing, choosing to speak first instead of taking questions as usual. He explained that the move mirrors a tactic once used by former boss Sir Alex Ferguson, though Ferguson rarely spoke for so long. The speech came after United endured seven games without a win, highlighted by a 4‑1 Champions League loss to Italian side Como and public criticism from defender Lisandro Martinez and Fernandes himself over tactics used in Italy. Carrick admitted recent results have been “obviously not good” and described the Como defeat as “unacceptable”. He said his job is to field a team that reflects the club’s history, supporters and identity, adding that United has drifted from its traditional values of humility, hard work and resilience. He warned against a sense of entitlement at the club and pledged to protect those core principles. When pressed on the possibility of dropping Fernandes, Carrick stressed that the priority is the squad’s dynamics and that he will always act in the best interest of the football club. ## Context The discussion reflects growing pressure on United’s management after a string of poor performances and internal criticism, a pattern that often forces clubs to reconsider player roles to restore form.