Bruno Fernandes takes aim at Michael Carrick after Man United’s loss to Como

Bruno Fernandes takes aim at Michael Carrick after Man United’s loss to Como Bruno Fernandes Questions Manchester United Tactics After Como Defeat Manchester United were taken apart 4-1 by Como, and the real damage may have come after the final whistle. Results hurt, performances linger, and public comments from a captain carry weight. Bruno Fernandes knew exactly what he was saying. Michael Carrick is now seven matches without a win, and the noise around him is getting louder. United were second best from the start in Italy, reactive without the ball, loose with it, and generally unable to cope with a side that looked clearer in its ideas. Nico Paz ran the game, Como found spaces too easily, and Cesc Fabregas’ team played with the sort of conviction United currently lack. Photo IMAGO Fernandes points to Manchester United tactics Fernandes did not go full scorched earth, but he came close enough. He said: “It’s not the first time, we started on the wrong foot, and they scored very early,” before adding, “Not much pressure on the ball, not many good movements with the ball, not many things going our way.” That is a criticism of execution. Then came the criticism of the plan. “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.” That is not vague frustration. That is the captain identifying a tactical choice he believes helped the opposition. Pressure builds on Michael Carrick Carrick apologised to the travelling support, which was necessary and obvious. It will not calm anything. Fernandes went further still: “That’s on the manager and staff to see, not me. Sometimes you have to be more brave under pressure, take the risk of pressing high and making them uncomfortable.” Again, simple enough. United sat off, Como settled, and the match was gone. He also summed up the structural problem cleanly: “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.” That is exactly what happened. Como expose structural flaws This was not a freak result. It looked like a team with a plan beating a team waiting for something to happen. For Manchester United, that is the real concern. Player ratings Manchester United players and manager: Andre Onana 4/10 Diogo Dalot 4/10 Matthijs de Ligt 4/10 Lisandro Martinez 4/10 Luke Shaw 4/10 Casemiro 3/10 Kobbie Mainoo 5/10 Bruno Fernandes 6/10 Alejandro Garnacho 4/10 Marcus Rashford 4/10 Rasmus Hojlund 4/10 Substitutes 5/10 Michael Carrick 3/10