Michael Carrick has faced calls from across the football world to drop Bruno Fernandes for his disparaging comments following their most recent defeat at Como. The Manchester United captain questioned his head coach's tactics in Italy, adding fuel to the fire around Carrick's future at Old Trafford.
The Theatre of Dreams is the location for United's next match, where they face a Bournemouth team fresh off a midweek European victory over AC Milan. The two teams enter the match at opposite ends of the confidence spectrum, with the Cherries hoping to pile on the misery, while United will be determined to bounce back and claim their first victory in eight matches.
Selection Dilemmas Across the Pitch
There are many other selection dilemmas concerning the home side, amid an injury crisis in defence and a misfiring attack. Here, our Express Sport writers have taken a look at who we would each start for United.
Archie Griggs: Carrick Faces Tough Call on Fernandes
Michael Carrick faces a very difficult choice when it comes to Bruno Fernandes: does he drop the captain after his recent explosive comments, or is he too important to be left out? I think it will be the latter, even though Fernandes was desperately poor against Leeds last weekend and Como in midweek.
When he is firing on all cylinders, he is among the Premier League's best players and Carrick knows he'll come under even fiercer scrutiny if he drops the midfielder and United lose against Bournemouth.
As for the rest of the line-up, Leny Yoro could return in defence after missing the Como defeat through suspension. There might even be a rare start up front for Joshua Zirkzee, who scored a late consolation in midweek after replacing Matheus Cunha. Youri Tielemans, meanwhile, could feature in the middle of the park in place of Andrey Santos, who was preferred against Leeds.
Griggs' XI: Lammens; Dalot, Yoro, Maguire, Mazraoui; Baleba, Tielemans; Mbeumo, Fernandes, Amad; Zirkzee.
Amos Murphy: Fernandes Should Be Dropped Entirely
If Michael Carrick had anything about him, Bruno Fernandes wouldn't be in the squad, let alone the bench. He'll be in the starting XI though, as Carrick hasn't shown anything to suggest he has the backbone to make such a gutsy decision.
Leny Yoro wasn't involved in mid-week due to a suspension, so the youngster should be back in the team. Maybe even a run out for Joshua Zirkzee, who scored in midweek and has been used as a substitute for the majority of the season.
Murphy's XI: Lammens; Yoro, De Ligt, Maguire, Dalot; Baleba, Tielemans; Mbeumo, Fernandes, Amad; Zirkzee.
Jack McEachen: Play Fernandes in His Best Position
Let's stop messing about with Bruno Fernandes. No more putting him out wide or up front; this is the best number 10 in the Premier League. Play him there. Put multiple attacking threats around the skipper, a solid midfield behind him, and that is United's recipe for success. Believe in the player who has carried this club on his back year after year. And definitely do not leave him on the bench.
Elsewhere, it might be too much for Matthijs De Ligt to start two games in a week after nearly a year left on the sidelines. Leny Yoro may be better equipped to deal with the multi-faced Bournemouth attack regardless. And Joshua Zirkzee deserves a start after an impressive cameo and goal in the drubbing by Como. Amad can count himself unlucky to miss out, however, perhaps he can make the difference off the bench.
McEachen's XI: Lammens; Dalot, Yoro, Maguire, Mazraoui; Baleba, Santos; Mbeumo, Fernandes, Cunha; Zirkzee.
