Carrick demands United reset after Como defeat and leaves Fernandes selection open

Michael Carrick has called for Manchester United to recover the standards he believes have slipped during their seven-match winless run, while declining to rule out dropping captain Bruno Fernandes. BBC Sport reported that the United manager opened Friday's media conference with a five-minute, 30-second address about the club's identity and his responsibility for the team's performances.

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Speaking at Carrington, Carrick chose to make his statement before taking questions. It followed Wednesday's 4-1 Champions League defeat by Como, the latest setback in United's run without a victory. He described the performance as unacceptable and said it had been painful to watch his side play that way, acknowledging that the team's recent difficulties were clear.

Carrick said his job was to produce a team that properly represented United and their supporters. He acknowledged that recent displays had moved away from that aim and stressed the need for everyone to recognise the problem. His address focused on restoring an identity that would give supporters pride, rather than defending the performance in Italy or suggesting that the result was acceptable.

The manager also emphasised the importance of humility and effort, arguing that a sense of entitlement had no place at United. He pointed to the club's history of resilience and his own familiarity with people who had helped shape it. Carrick said he understood the values established over many years and was determined that the team should not lose those foundations.

The statement came after defender Lisandro Martinez criticised the club's hierarchy and Fernandes criticised Carrick's tactics in Italy, according to the BBC report. Asked whether he had considered leaving Fernandes out, Carrick placed the collective interests of the team and the relationships within his squad ahead of any individual. He did not guarantee the captain a place or announce that he would be dropped.

United's next Premier League fixture is against Bournemouth at Old Trafford on Sunday. Carrick's comments left the Fernandes selection question unresolved, while making clear that he regarded decisions about the squad as a matter of what best served the club.