Bruno Fernandes subbed after Como’s 4-1 and his clash with Carrick

Bruno Fernandes, the Manchester United captain, was substituted in the second half of the 4-1 loss to Como, and his comments about tactics have put him under scrutiny after a reported dressing-room fracture with Michael Carrick. After that European defeat, The Guardian cites a highly placed source at the club calling the Portuguese “toxic” for questioning leadership.

Friction after the 4-1

The report links Carrick’s immediate headache to further unrest after Lisandro Martínez criticised Jason Wilcox last week. At the Giuseppe Sinigaglia Stadium, Fernandes complained about “the staff” deciding the approach, and the article interprets that as Carrick’s decision-making because he sets strategy.

Fernandes left the pitch at 67 minutes with Joshua Zirkzee replacing him. The text describes it as another sign of ineffective impact, first as a false 9 and then in the role he prefers as a No 10.

Whether he keeps the armband

Carrick is expected to hold his pre-match media briefing on Friday afternoon and will be in charge on Sunday when United face Bournemouth. The question for the lineup is whether Fernandes still has the armband after his Como outburst, with the report also recalling his December comments about loyalty and staying at the club.