Carrick benches Fernandes for Bournemouth game after criticism of United tactics

Manchester United manager Michael Carrick has left captain Bruno Fernandes on the bench for Sunday's Premier League meeting with Bournemouth after the midfielder publicly criticised his tactics. BBC Sport reported the confirmed selection on Sunday, with Harry Maguire taking over as captain and Mason Mount given a playmaking role alongside Youri Tielemans.

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The decision follows United's 4-1 Champions League defeat by Como on Wednesday. After that match, Fernandes blamed Carrick for the team's tactical approach and for not changing it during the game, according to the BBC report. His comments prompted questions about whether he would retain his place, but Carrick declined to reveal at Friday's media conference whether the Portugal international would start against Bournemouth.

Fernandes remains available among the substitutes rather than being left out of the matchday squad. The BBC said this is only the sixth Premier League match for which he has been named on the bench. The previous two instances came towards the end of the 2024-25 season, when he was rested to preserve his fitness for important Europa League fixtures.

Matheus Cunha is also among the substitutes for Sunday's game. He had been taken off at half-time in the defeat in Italy. The changes come with United trying to halt a run of seven matches without a victory across all competitions, adding a broader backdrop of poor results to the debate over Fernandes' criticism and Carrick's response through his team selection.

In his programme notes for the Bournemouth fixture, Carrick addressed the performance against Como and the standards he expected from his players. He described Wednesday's display as deeply disappointing in several respects and said the group had a responsibility to represent the club in keeping with principles established over generations. He also emphasised how important those standards and values were to him.

Carrick called for unity while acknowledging that the team needed to improve for its supporters. His message focused on delivering a performance worthy of their backing. Sunday's confirmed lineup places Maguire in charge on the pitch, with Fernandes starting among the replacements as United attempt to respond to the midweek defeat.