Bruno Fernandes captain talk has settled for now, with BBC Sport reporting that he will stay as Manchester United captain and will not be disciplined for criticising Michael Carrick after the 4-1 defeat at Como. The Mirror and Sky Sports say the same. United have not made an official announcement, so this is reported information.
Bruno Fernandes captain decision: what BBC Sport says
BBC Sport’s Simon Stone writes that Fernandes will keep the armband and face no action over his post-match comments. He says there is sympathy for the midfielder inside Old Trafford. Some of what he said disappointed people there. His annoyance is seen as understandable after such a heavy loss. The Mirror’s Matthew Abbott reports that Fernandes is unlikely to face any sanctions, with internal disappointment balanced by an understanding of his frustration.
In the interview that sparked the Bruno Fernandes captain row, Fernandes told TNT Sports it was “a decision from the staff to not press man to man”. Asked whether Carrick had got it wrong, he said: “That’s on the manager and staff to see, not me. Sometimes you have to be more brave under pressure.” The BBC says many outside the club saw this as a challenge to Carrick’s authority. Carrick replied that no tactics will work if players do not run. We covered the first reactions in our earlier report.
Will the captaincy row affect Sunday’s team?
The BBC says it remains to be seen whether Fernandes will be picked for Sunday’s Premier League game against Bournemouth at Old Trafford. Carrick will be asked about it at his pre-match news conference, which the BBC says is due at 13:30 BST on Friday. Nothing about the team is confirmed until then.
The head coach’s own position is a separate question. BBC Sport reports that Carrick is expected to take charge on Sunday while United look at possible replacements, as we set out in our Carrick and Bournemouth report. For who could be back from injury, see our Man Utd injury news and return dates, and for the first BBC reporting after Como, Carrick’s future after the defeat.
Sources on the Bruno Fernandes captain decision: BBC Sport (Simon Stone), Fernandes to stay captain; The Mirror (Matthew Abbott), Bruno Fernandes discipline decision; and Sky Sports, their video report. Not confirmed by the club.
