Carrick refuses to rule out dropping Fernandes after United’s winless run

Michael Carrick has refused to rule out dropping Bruno Fernandes for Manchester United’s Premier League match against Bournemouth on Sunday, saying he will do what is best for the club after a run of seven games without a win.

The manager made the remarks at a scheduled news conference on Friday, where he spoke for five and a half minutes before taking questions. United’s winless run included a 4-1 Champions League defeat by Como on Wednesday, which Carrick called “unacceptable”.

Fernandes had criticised United’s tactics after the defeat and said the club was too focused on its past. Carrick said the squad was not divided, but declined to say whether he had spoken to the midfielder about his comments. “I don’t think this is the time to go into too much detail,” he said.

When asked whether he had considered dropping the captain, Carrick replied: “The most important thing for me is the team, the squad and dynamics in the squad. It’s about the football club. I’ll always do what is best for the football club.” He gave the same answer when asked whether Fernandes would lose the captaincy.

Club sources had said on Thursday that Fernandes would not be stripped of the captaincy or fined over his post-match remarks. Carrick also said United were doing everything they could to support Fernandes and his family after their Cheshire home was burgled on Wednesday. He said they were not directly affected.

Carrick said United had recently moved away from the identity he expected, describing humility and hard work as core values. He said the team’s performance was his responsibility and that the hurt of Wednesday’s defeat would serve as “pure motivation and inspiration”.