Carrick to keep Fernandes as captain

Michael Carrick says he is ready to “move forward” with Bruno Fernandes as Manchester United captain.

Carrick benched Fernandes for Sunday’s 3-0 loss to Bournemouth after the midfielder spoke out about his manager’s tactics in the Champions League defeat at Como last week.

Sky Sports News reported that Carrick and Fernandes held clear-the-air talks on Tuesday.

On Sunday, Carrick said the decision to name Fernandes among the substitutes was for “football” reasons, and he stood by that statement on Thursday at a press conference ahead of Saturday’s Premier League trip to Chelsea.

“It was a decision for the game. That’s it,” said Carrick. “Bruno is fully committed to this football club. I’ve got no issues with that, we move forward.

“We’re looking forward to the game now.”

On whether Fernandes would continue as captain after Harry Maguire took the armband last weekend, Carrick said: “There’s no decision to be made on that.”

Carrick was then asked whether Fernandes was too emotional to be captain and gave his clear backing to the 32-year-old.

“He’s the captain of our football club,” said Carrick. “There are different personalities, different characteristics, different ways to lead. It all comes down to what happens on the football pitch and whether you win or not in the end.

“He cares deeply about this football club and the team and he’s desperate to do well. We’ll lead that together.”

Carrick’s future as Manchester United head coach has been in the spotlight since the defeat at home to Bournemouth extended the club’s worst-ever start to a Premier League season.

Chief executive Omar Berrada and director of football Jason Wilcox met at the club’s Carrington training ground this week to discuss next steps, but Carrick will continue to lead the team.

Despite the noise around his position, Carrick has insisted he does not require guarantees from the hierarchy about his long-term security.

“I don’t need assurances from anyone,” he said in Thursday’s press conference. “I totally get the position, I get the job, the responsibility, I get what comes with that. I really don’t need any assurances from anyone in that regard.”

— Sky Sports

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