Owen Hargreaves believes Sir Alex Ferguson would have dropped Bruno Fernandes from the Manchester United team after the captain criticised Michael Carrick's tactics following the Champions League defeat to Como.
The former United midfielder said Fernandes' remarks would have proved fatal under Ferguson's 26-year reign at Old Trafford, adding that he would not have dared make such comments himself.
Hargreaves on Ferguson's reaction
Speaking on TNT Sports, Hargreaves said: "To be fair, I would have never looked at my manager. First of all, you would have never said that under Sir Alex because you would never have played again for the football club. Second of all, you've got to look at yourself first."
He added: "Not one Man United fan thinks Manchester United should be competing for the Premier League, not one. But the best you can do is put your best effort in every game, every time you step out there."
Fernandes questions Carrick's tactics
Fernandes told the same broadcaster on Wednesday evening: "It's a decision from the staff not to press man-to-man and sometimes leave space behind and try to get the ball."
When pressed on whether Carrick had misjudged his tactics, he said: "That's on the manager and staff to see it, not me."
Fernandes will seemingly escape any punishment for his comments. He retains the club captaincy and looks set to feature against Bournemouth at Old Trafford on Sunday.
Carrick responds to questions
Asked at Friday's pre-match press conference whether the remarks could prove divisive, Carrick said: "The most important thing for me is the team, first and foremost, the squad, the dynamics in the squad. Again, it's about the football club. I'll always do what's best for the football club."
Pressed on the dressing room atmosphere, Carrick was emphatic: "It's not divided, no. It's not divided. We just need to get back to doing what we do best, and we will."
He was also quizzed on whether the club might remove the captaincy from Fernandes. Carrick responded: "I'm just saying, whatever the situation is, I'll always do what's best for the football club."
United's head coach declined to confirm whether he had held talks with Fernandes: "If I've spoken to him or haven't spoken to him, I don't think this is the time to go into too much detail."
