Bruno Fernandes has denied that clear-the-air talks took place between himself and Michael Carrick after the Manchester United captain criticised the head coach's tactics a fortnight ago. Fernandes spoke after helping United beat Roma 3-2 in the Champions League on Tuesday night.
Fernandes was dropped by Carrick for the defeat to Bournemouth following his incendiary interview. Clear-the-air talks were understood to have taken place before he was restored to the starting XI against Chelsea, but Fernandes has denied this.
Fernandes on the Roma win and speculation
Speaking after the dramatic comeback win over Roma, Fernandes was asked whether the result could have saved Carrick's job given the pressure he is under. He admitted it was a big result for everyone at the club.
"The club needed that win, the players needed that win, it's something that we needed as a group of players. We've been working so hard to get out of this situation together," he told Amazon Prime.
"It's been tough, there's been a lot of speculation in the media, a lot of lies around many things that happened in this club between me and the manager, like that we had clear-the-air talks. Nothing like that happened."
Fernandes on being dropped and his belief in the manager
Fernandes addressed his omission from the starting line-up against Chelsea, saying the manager took the decision because he was not performing.
"The manager took a decision to put myself on the bench [vs Chelsea] because I wasn't performing and that's fair, everyone felt it was a punishment for the words I said, and if it was, it was right. The manager is the one who makes the decisions; I have to accept them, I have to go forward with them."
"It doesn't change the belief I have on the manager, on the staff and every player in this club, and it doesn't change my aim to win every f****** game ahead of me."
Turning point for the season
When asked whether the win over Roma could be a turning point in what has been a dismal season so far for United, Fernandes responded: "It should be."
