Alan Shearer has insisted that Bruno Fernandes and Lisandro Martinez focus on performing their duties on the pitch for Manchester United rather than speaking out after matches. Both players have utilised post-match interviews after their two Champions League defeats to express their discontent.
The Argentine bemoaned United's insufficient summer transfer window recruitment by director of football Jason Wilcox following the 2-0 defeat to Atletico Madrid. Seven days on, their skipper challenged the tactical decisions of Carrick and his coaching team after their 4-1 thrashing by Como.
Carrick Stays for Bournemouth Clash
Carrick will hold a pre-match press conference on Friday and then oversee United's upcoming Premier League fixture against AFC Bournemouth at Old Trafford on Sunday.
Shearer, though, has directed his criticism towards their own displays rather than deflecting blame. The former England and Newcastle United skipper bluntly told Betfair: "I look at what's happening in the last week with Martinez coming out and saying what he did, then Bruno Fernandes coming out and saying what he did after the game.
Shearer's Verdict on Player Power
"Any chance of you doing your job, lads, as players? Because I didn't see too much effort, too much commitment, and too much running around from Bruno last night.
"Wherever you go, at all clubs, there's player power. That's the game that we're in now, whether you like it or not. But you also have to take responsibility as an individual."
Shearer went on to scrutinise the player's performances this campaign, stating: "I mean, Bruno Fernandes is the captain of Manchester United. You can't be coming out and saying that against your manager and dropping your manager or your staff in it when you yourself, as an individual, have had a really poor game and a really poor season.
Pressure Mounts on Fernandes
"He was player of the year last year. We haven't seen any of that from Bruno Fernandes this season. So, it's alright him coming out and criticising the manager, but is there any chance of him playing well this season? Same as Lisandro Martinez."
"When your captain comes out and criticises the manager, it puts more pressure on the football club. A captain shouldn't be coming out, and especially after a game and after a result like that.
"It would have been far better for Bruno to come out and say we're hopeless as a team, and I, as captain, accept responsibility for that, rather than trying to blame everything on his manager, especially when he's been that poor himself as an individual. I mean, the manager took him off, and he probably had the hump for that."
