Bruno Fernandes' behaviour at Manchester United has shifted drastically since Erik ten Hag's departure two years ago, with the club captain now in open conflict with current manager Michael Carrick. Fernandes was dropped for the 3-0 defeat to Bournemouth after questioning Carrick's tactics following a 4-1 midweek loss to Como.
Ten Hag departure and early support
Ten Hag took over in 2022 and guided the club to the Carabao Cup in 2023 and the FA Cup a year later, which earned him a contract extension. However, a disjointed dressing room and a lacklustre start to the 2024/25 season saw him sacked on October 28, just nine games into the campaign.
When Ten Hag left, Fernandes was the first player to break his silence, posting on Instagram: "Thanks for everything, boss! I appreciate the trust and the moments we shared together. I wish you all the best in the future." He added: "Even knowing the last period hasn't been great from all of us I hope you fans can keep with you the good things the manager has done for our club!"
Ten Hag had stripped Harry Maguire of the armband and given it to Fernandes in the summer of 2023. Ruud van Nistelrooy stepped in as interim manager for 14 days, overseeing four games and ending with a 3-0 Premier League win against Leicester City.
Amorim era and defence
Fernandes praised Van Nistelrooy to the BBC after the Leicester victory: "We wanted to say goodbye as a manager for him properly because he did good things for us. Ruud van Nistelrooy fills the club, he loves the club, he wants to bring joy to the players. He brought everyone with a smile to the games, he just wanted us to enjoy it."
Ruben Amorim's first half-season was far from impressive, with United finishing 15th and losing the Europa League final to Tottenham. Fernandes never wavered, saying after the final: "I do think he's the right man. I don't think what happened this season shows exactly what he is as a manager."
Fernandes was linked with a transfer away in the summer of 2025, but this never materialised. Under Amorim, he was often used deeper as a No. 8, while many believed his best position was as a creative No. 10. Despite patchy form, he told Sky Sports after an October victory over Liverpool: "Our shape always gives teams issues. It is a little bit ungrateful to talk about shape when we lose games and in the same way I am grateful to talk about it when we win."
December outburst and Carrick clash
In December, Fernandes spoke out against the club in an interview with Portuguese TV station Canal 11, claiming United wished to sell him in the summer. He said: "I decided not to go [to Saudi Arabia], not only for family reasons, but because I genuinely liked the club. From the club, I felt, 'If you go, it's not that bad for us.' It hurts me a bit. More than hurting, it makes me sad. The club wanted me to go [away]. I told the directors that I don't think they had the courage to make that decision because the coach wanted me."
Amorim was sacked on January 5 after a power struggle following a 1-1 draw against Leeds United. Fernandes sent him a shorter message: "Thank you mister. I wish you and your technical staff all the best."
Darren Fletcher took over briefly before Carrick arrived, who guided United to third in the Premier League in his first season. Fernandes praised him after a win against Spurs in February: "I think Michael came in with the right ideas of giving the players the responsibility, but also some freedom to take the responsibility on the pitch during the decisions that are needed."
This season has started dreadfully, with United near the bottom of the table and just a single Premier League win. After the Como defeat, Fernandes said: "It's a decision from the staff to not press man-to-man and sometimes leave space behind and try to get the ball… Sometimes you have to be more brave under pressure, take the risk of pressing high and making them uncomfortable."
Reports claim Fernandes is now looking to put the outburst behind him, with a rumoured meeting at Carrington taking place yesterday where both cleared the air. This is a sharp change in character seldom seen from Fernandes, who did not act this way even when Ten Hag was on the brink, and it cannot bode well for his relationship with Carrick going forward.
