Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes has appeared to question head coach Michael Carrick’s tactical approach following the club’s 4-1 defeat to Como in the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday, October 21.
The defeat has increased the pressure on United’s European campaign, with the English side losing two of their first three matches.
Argentine playmaker Nico Paz was the standout performer for Como, scoring twice and providing an assist as the Italian side secured an emphatic victory.
Speaking to TNT Sports after the match, Fernandes appeared to take issue with United’s decision not to press Como aggressively, suggesting the approach allowed their opponents to grow in confidence.
“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’s on the manager and staff to see, not me,” Fernandes said.
The United captain also argued that his side needed to be braver when pressing opponents, pointing to Como’s willingness to commit players forward and apply pressure even in their own half.
“Sometimes you have to be more brave under pressure, take the risk of pressing high and making them uncomfortable,” he said.
“As you saw with them [Como], the centre-back was coming to mark me in my own half. We need to do that as a team but we were unable to.”
Fernandes’ comments suggest frustration with United’s tactical execution, as questions emerge over the team’s ability to compete consistently at the highest level of European football.
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