Michael Carrick responds after Bruno Fernandes directly calls out his tactics following Como defeat

Fernandes questioned the way in which United pressed during their 4-1 defeat to Como in the Champions League.

Michael Carrick has issued a response after captain Bruno Fernandes questioned tactics deployed by Manchester United in their 4-1 defeat to Como in the Champions League.

Fernandes called out United's pressing style in their thrashing at the hands of Como, who are managed by former Arsenal, Chelsea and Barcelona midfielder Cesc Fabregas.

In his post-match interview, Carrick said he took 'responsibility' for the defeat as the head coach of United, having apologised to the travelling fans in Lombardy after full-time. That interview was completed before Fernandes' remarks to TNT Sports emerged, and Carrick was asked about those comments in his media conference.

READ MORE: Bruno Fernandes directly calls out Man Utd tactics after Como defeat

In his response, Carrick appeared to suggest that United's running out of possession also played a part in the nightmare defeat on Tuesday evening.

"Actually, we half pressed man-to-man in the second half and ended up conceding a goal from that," he stated (via Sky Sports).

"There's a little bit of whatever system you play, whatever tactics you play, if you don't run, and you don't run forward, and you don't run back, you aren't going to win."

When asked if he felt the United players were still 'playing' for him following Fernandes' comments, he replied: "It shouldn't be me. It shouldn't be me. It's not about playing for me, it's about playing for this football club. It's the responsibility that comes with it.

"I'm in the position, I'm responsible for the football club and the supporters. I'm giving my best, my absolute best, all the time. I care about it. My whole life's wrapped around it. Listen, it might go well, it might not go so well. But I genuinely give everything that I possibly can. It's not about me, in the relationship. It's about what we all give – players, staff – for this football club."

"I'd like to think so," Carrick said, when asked if he thought the players gave the same amount to the football club. "I didn't like what I'd seen tonight now."

READ NEXT: Man Utd fans think Michael Carrick is 'done' with key player as unseen moment emerges during Como humiliation

Fernandes, who was substituted in the 67th minute against Como in what was a rare decision by Carrick (or indeed any United manager), spoke to TNT Sports post-match to put forward what he believed was a key reason for United's defeat.

They have now won just one game in all competitions since August – that being a 4-0 win over Azerbaijan champions Sabah in the first Champions League group stage match – and Fernandes' comments appeared to suggest some player dissent.

"It's a decision from the staff to not press man-to-man and sometimes leave a little bit of space and try to get the ball in the first moment, to wait for them, to give them the ball," he said.

"Of course we can, but it's a decision from the staff to not press man-to-man and sometimes leave a little bit of space and try to get the ball in the first moment, to wait for them, to give them the ball," he said.

"But sometimes when you give too much of the ball to these teams, they get confidence … it's on the manager and on the staff to see it, it's not on me. I just said that sometimes we have to be more brave under pressure, try to take a risk of getting that press very high and making them uncomfortable. As they did to us – as you saw they were going, the centre-back was coming to mark me, all the way in my own half."

Topics: Michael Carrick, Man Utd, Champions League, Bruno Fernandes

Ryan is a Journalist for SPORTbible who specialises in football, Formula 1, cricket and darts coverage. As a lifelong Preston North End fan, he's sadly still waiting to watch his team play in the Premier League. He has previously written for GiveMeSport, SPORF and the Lancashire Post.

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