Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes has reportedly split opinion among his teammates, with some players accused of being 'dismissive' of the midfielder while others see him as an influential figure in the dressing room. The division follows Fernandes' public criticism of Michael Carrick's tactics during the Champions League defeat at Como, after which he was dropped to the bench for the Bournemouth clash at Old Trafford.
Dropped and unused against Bournemouth
Fernandes was sent to warm up in the 58th minute of the match, but his emergence from the dugout was met with a muted response from the home supporters. Carrick used all of his substitutions without calling on his captain, leaving Fernandes as an unused substitute as United suffered a 3-0 defeat.
At full-time, the boos only began once Carrick had disappeared down the tunnel, leaving the United players to face the crowd's frustration as they left the pitch. Carrick and Fernandes have since cleared the air ahead of Saturday's 12.30pm kick-off against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, where the captain is widely expected to return to the starting line-up.
Mixed views in the dressing room
According to the Daily Mail, opinion on the Portuguese has been divided within the dressing room, with some teammates reportedly 'dismissive' of his influence. Some are said to even 'roll their eyes when he's talking.' Insiders have described Fernandes as an 'emotional metronome' whose mood can shape the atmosphere around the club, for better or worse. The 32-year-old is said to be feeling the pain like a fan after more upheaval at Old Trafford this season.
Fernandes is also credited with helping unite the dressing room, with some questioning who else in the United squad would be better suited to wearing the captain's armband. However, his close relationship with former manager Ruben Amorim reportedly raised suspicions among certain teammates.
Form and pressure mount
Fernandes has also struggled to reach his usual standards this season, failing to consistently produce the performances that have made him such an influential figure at the club. His dip in form has added to the scrutiny over his leadership, particularly amid questions over his relationship with some teammates. Carrick, however, has confirmed that the Portuguese star will remain skipper despite their recent issues.
United will need Fernandes to be in the right frame of mind for the crucial clash at Chelsea, with Carrick's job still under the microscope. Despite retaining the backing of the club's hierarchy, Carrick remains under mounting pressure, having failed to win any of his last eight matches across all competitions. United sit 16th in the Premier League, just one point off the relegation zone, and need an immediate turnaround if Carrick is to survive.
