Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes has delivered a harsh verdict on Michael Carrick’s tactical approach after a disastrous European outing.
The Red Devils suffered a crushing 4-1 defeat to Italian outfit Como, putting their manager’s position in serious jeopardy following a display that lacked a clear identity and the necessary intensity.
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‘It’s not the first time, we started on the wrong foot, and they scored very early,’ Fernandes told TNT Sports while discussing another disappointing start to a European fixture.
‘Not much pressure on the ball, not many good movements with the ball, not many things going our way.
‘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.’
🚨 Bruno Fernandes couldn't hide his disappointment after Carrick decided to bring him off. 😬
Is this the beginning of the end for his time at Old Trafford? pic.twitter.com/01SuQMOWr6
— PurelyFootball ℗ (@PurelyFootball) October 21, 2026
The United skipper’s remarks point to increasing concerns over the team’s defensive approach under Carrick, particularly the strategy being employed to contain their opponents.
Fernandes drew attention to the team’s tendency to sit back and allow the opposition time on the ball instead of applying the aggressive high press commonly used by leading European clubs.
He explained: ‘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.’
The passive approach ultimately backfired against a technically gifted Como side, who took full advantage of the space United afforded them.
The heavy loss has intensified the pressure on Carrick, with the result representing another deeply disappointing moment in Manchester United’s European campaign.
United’s night began disastrously when Nico Paz found the net after only 118 seconds, immediately putting the home side on the back foot and leaving their supporters stunned.
Paz later doubled his personal tally and provided the assist for Tasos Douvikas, while Jacobo Ramon completed the rout with a powerful header.
The early setback exposed United’s persistent defensive weaknesses and saw them become the first English team to concede within the opening two minutes of consecutive major European matches. Their previous failure came against Atletico Madrid just eight days earlier.
Repeated lapses in concentration have increasingly characterised a United side struggling to find its footing under the current management.
**Fernandes questions the manager’s tactical approach**
Speaking after the final whistle, Fernandes was asked whether he believed Carrick had made the wrong tactical decisions during the match.
Although the midfielder directed responsibility towards the coaching team, he made it clear that he wanted United to adopt a more aggressive and courageous approach.
‘That’s on the manager and staff to see, not me,’ Fernandes stated. ‘Sometimes you have to be more brave under pressure, take the risk of pressing high and making them uncomfortable.’
The Portuguese international also pointed to Como’s willingness to press aggressively as an example of what United failed to replicate throughout the contest.
‘As you saw with them, the centre-back was coming to mark me in my own half,’ Fernandes added.
‘We need to do that as a team but we were unable to. 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.’
