Bruno Fernandes will remain Manchester United captain, with Michael Carrick drawing a line under the recent disagreement between player and coach. Fernandes is set to return to the squad for Saturday's trip to Chelsea after being left out of the 3-0 defeat to Bournemouth.
Fallout from Como defeat
Following United's 4-1 loss to Como in the Champions League last week, Fernandes made critical comments about Carrick's tactical approach. Carrick responded by saying that players who don't run "are not going to win", and subsequently dropped Fernandes for the Bournemouth match on Sunday.
Talks were held during the week to clear the air, and Carrick has now confirmed that Fernandes will keep the captaincy. "There's no decision to be made on that," Carrick said.
Carrick's backing
"Between us, we have got to make a difference, we have got to push things in a different direction. He is fully committed to this football club, he is fully committed to make things better," Carrick stated. "It doesn't change things, you know, he is the one that has led the team so well for many a game and for many a year, and he will continue to do that."
With the squad given Monday off, injured players including Fernandes travelled to Carrington for treatment. Fernandes has been playing through a niggle, but Carrick stated he will be available for selection against Chelsea.
Looking ahead
"It was a decision, as I said, for what we felt for the game. That's it," the Red Devils' boss continued. "Bruno is fully committed to the football club, there's no issues with that. We look ahead to the game on Saturday."
"Listen, we are clear with the situation of the team and as a football club, at the moment. As I've just said, he is an important player for this group, he has been and he will be."
After the final whistle on Sunday, fans directed their ire towards the club's hierarchy and players, halting boos towards Carrick. Asked if he had spoken to the players about the situation, Carrick replied: "Of course, that's my responsibility - the players. The outside is not anything for me to focus on. I know what we can affect, I know what we need to improve."
"Of course we spoke. We have meetings as we do every single week, but some of the meetings go in different ways depending on results and the situation and the feeling," he added. "I have to say, the boys are hungry. We're hurting because we haven't won enough football games, but there's an intensity, there's a bit of an edge, there's a disappointment, there's a hunger to do better, for sure."
