Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes has criticised the club’s tactical approach after their 4-1 defeat to Italian side Como in the UEFA Champions League, while head coach Michael Carrick questioned his players’ commitment and intensity.
The defeat on Wednesday extended United’s winless run to seven matches across all competitions, increasing pressure on Carrick following another disappointing European performance.
Fernandes directed his criticism at the coaching staff’s decision to allow Como more possession rather than consistently applying a high press.
Speaking to TNT Sports after the match, the Portuguese midfielder said United’s approach gave their opponents too much time and space to control the game.
“It’s a decision from the staff to not press man-to-man and sometimes leave a little space in behind and try to get the ball in the first moment, to wait for them, to give them the ball,” Mr Fernandes said.
He added that allowing technically strong teams to dominate possession could build their confidence and leave United’s players frustrated and physically drained.
Fernandes calls for more aggressive pressing
The United captain argued that his team needed to take greater risks by pressing higher up the pitch and putting opponents under immediate pressure.
He said the coaching staff would have to assess whether the tactical approach was appropriate, making it clear that the responsibility for those decisions rested with the manager and his assistants.
“That’s on the manager and on the staff to see it, it’s not on me,” Mr Fernandes said.
He added that United needed to be braver when pressing opponents, pointing to Como’s own aggressive approach as an example of how to disrupt a team’s rhythm.
Fernandes also said conceding an early goal had affected the team’s confidence, making it difficult for the players to recover and impose themselves on the match.
The midfielder was substituted in the 67th minute, with Joshua Zirkzee coming on in his place.
Carrick blames lack of intensity
Carrick, meanwhile, expressed anger over United’s performance, insisting that the players failed to demonstrate the motivation and intensity required at the highest level.
The 45-year-old manager described the defeat as unacceptable and apologised to the club’s travelling supporters.
“I’m really angry. For us to play in that way is not acceptable,” Mr Carrick said.
Responding to Fernandes’ comments about the team’s pressing strategy, the former United midfielder said the team had attempted a partial man-to-man press in the second half but still conceded.
“We half-pressed man-to-man in the second half and ended up conceding a goal from that,” he said, adding that tactical systems would make little difference if players failed to run and work hard.
Carrick also said he would examine whether the poor display resulted from tactical decisions or a lack of motivation, purpose and intensity among the players.
Como punish United’s defensive weaknesses
Como took the lead in the second minute through Nico Paz, putting United under immediate pressure.
Paz scored again in the second half, while Tasos Douvikas and Jacobo Ramón also found the net for the Italian side.
United struggled to respond before Zirkzee scored a late consolation goal in stoppage time, leaving the visitors with a heavy 4-1 defeat.
The result left Manchester United winless in seven consecutive matches across all competitions and intensified scrutiny of Carrick’s position.
United have collected three points from their opening three Champions League matches and are scheduled to face AS Roma in their next fixture in the competition.
The disagreement between Fernandes and Carrick has added another layer of uncertainty to United’s difficult start to the season, with both the team’s tactical approach and players’ performances now under renewed scrutiny.
Discover more from VOICE OF THE PEOPLE
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
