Bruno Fernandes questioned the tactical approach of Michael Carrick and his Manchester United coaching staff immediately after the team's 4-1 Champions League defeat at Como.
Fernandes on Staff's Decision Not to Press
Speaking to HBO Max, 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, wait for them, but sometimes when you give space to these teams they get confidence."
He added: "It's not the first time, we started on the wrong foot, and they scored very early. Not much pressure on the ball, not many good movements with the ball, not many things going our way."
Early Deficit Sets a Difficult Tone
Fernandes explained how conceding early affected the team's mindset: "Conceding early makes us go into game with a mood of defeat, it's difficult to get out of that, trying to be brave, to have the ball and make something happen. If we are not able to do that, it is going to be very difficult to get out of this situation."
When pressed further on Carrick's role in the defeat, Fernandes replied: "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."
Como Exploited Space Out Wide
Fernandes also noted the danger of giving Como time on the ball: "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."
The defeat leaves Manchester United facing further scrutiny as they look to recover from another disappointing European result.
