Manchester United boss Michael Carrick has held clear-the-air talks with his squad in a bid to get the team on the same page. After back-to-back weeks of player critiques, Carrick wants to unite his team with a desire to win matches, regardless of any issues they have.
The former midfielder is set to take charge of United's Premier League clash against Chelsea at the weekend after fierce scrutiny over his position at Old Trafford. Unless the club can end their eight-match winless run, that is set to continue despite supporters singing Carrick's name before offering a more hostile reaction to his players following defeat to Bournemouth.
Talks held with players and staff
Carrick has held talks with his players and staff, but not club directors, according to The Athletic. A decision is also set to be forthcoming on Bruno Fernandes' position after he was left on the bench against the Cherries following his public criticism of the team's tactics.
It is claimed that the issue between coach and captain will be addressed 'head-on' and that a line will be drawn following the weekend. Fernandes is set to be available to start at Stamford Bridge.
Fernandes criticism after Como defeat
Following the Champions League defeat to Como, Fernandes criticised Carrick's tactics in a TNT Sports interview. "It's a decision from the staff to not press man to man and sometimes leave space behind and try to get the ball, wait for them, but sometimes when you give space to these teams they get confidence," he said.
Asked whether he insinuated Carrick got things wrong, Fernandes said: "That's on the manager and staff to see, not me. Sometimes you have to be more brave under pressure, take the risk of pressing high and making them uncomfortable. As you saw with them [Como], the centre-back was coming to mark me in my own half. We need to do that as a team but we were unable to."
"A team that plays through the middle with small connections, if you give them too much time and space then they can hurt you out wide."
Scholes criticises Fernandes actions
Former Manchester United star Paul Scholes believes that Fernandes' actions were unforgivable, however. On the Good, the Bad and the Football, he said: "What Bruno Fernandes said last week, I think that's unforgivable. How can Bruno Fernandes be trusted to be captain of any team he ever goes to now? I think he probably needs to get away from European football and just go to Saudi, just get out the way. I don't think any manager, any member of staff can trust him after that."
United held extensive discussions over Carrick's future following United's defeat to Bournemouth. Monday reportedly saw a conference call between members of the club's hierarchy. Co-owners Sir Jim Ratcliffe, Avram and Joel Glazer, chief executive Omar Berrada and director of football Jason Wilcox addressed the situation. It was not until Tuesday lunchtime that the decision to continue with Carrick was communicated.
