Carrick refuses to rule out dropping Fernandes in emotional address

Under-pressure Manchester United boss Michael Carrick delivered a passionate and emotional address lasting five minutes and 30 seconds as he battles to save his job.

And he refused to rule out dropping skipper Bruno Fernandes for Sunday’s Premier League meeting with Bournemouth at Old Trafford.

Instead of taking his seat and answering questions as normal in Friday’s scheduled pre-match media conference at Carrington, Carrick said he wanted to start himself.

It was a strategy former boss Sir Alex Ferguson used, although the legendary Scot rarely spoke at such length.

After a run of seven games without a win, culminating in Wednesday’s shocking 4-1 Champions League defeat by Como, and attacks on the club’s hierarchy by defender Lisandro Martinez and then Fernandes’ condemnation of his own tactics in Italy, Carrick wanted to reaffirm his view of what United stood for.

“Recently we haven’t had a good time, I think that’s pretty obvious,” he said.

“Wednesday was a bad night, and it hurt me to see us play like that. It was unacceptable.

“My responsibility is to get a team on the pitch that represents this football club, and the supporters, and they can be proud of in the identity we show. We have gone away from that recently. It’s important we all recognise that.

“The foundation and values of this football club have been etched for many years. I totally understand and get every single one of them.

“There’s a resilience about this football club that runs very deep. I’ve seen it with my own eyes, I’ve felt it, I’m know some of the individuals closely who have been a big part of that history.

“Entitlement cannot be at this football club.

“It was based on being humble, having humility, and hard work. We can never lose that, and I won’t let us lose that.”

Asked about Fernandes and whether he has considered dropping him, a defiant Carrick added: “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.”

Image caption: Manchester United won 12 of their 17 games under Michael Carrick last season

Club sources said on Thursday Fernandes would not have the captaincy taken away or be fined for his post-match observations following the Como defeat.

In a further interview on Wednesday night with Sky Italia, the Portugal international referred to Manchester United’s storied history.

“At this club, there’s too much focus on what’s been done in the past,” said Fernandes. “But we’re not those people anymore. The club and the players need to understand that.

“Unfortunately for us – especially when it comes to the players – those who join expect to win trophies, win games, and reach the highest level, that’s been very difficult at this club in recent years.”

Whether Carrick was aware of Fernandes’ comments about United’s history before he spoke was uncertain.

When asked again if he would take the captaincy away from the 32-year-old midfielder, Carrick repeated: “I will always do what is best for the football club.”

He then refused to say whether he had spoken to Fernandes about his conduct, adding: “I don’t think this is the time to go into too much detail.”

Despite the challenge to his authority, Carrick said the United dressing room was not divided.

“No, it’s not,” he added. “We just need to get back to doing what we do best.”

Carrick also said the club were ‘doing everything’ to support Fernandes and his family, whose Cheshire home was burgled on Wednesday.

“Thankfully they weren’t directly affected even though it is an awful situation.”

‘Hurt’ fuels motivation and inspiration

Carrick named legendary United figures such as Ryan Giggs, Wayne Rooney and Ferguson as examples of the humility, sacrifice and hard work expected of United players.

That was at odds with his post-match criticism on Wednesday, when he said if you don’t run forward or back properly, you will not win games.

Asked how he would persuade his current squad to adhere to the values expected and he demanded, Carrick added: “It’s clear as day.

“I’m not telling you anything new. I haven’t invented that. That’s the make-up of any good football team. You have to earn the right to be better than your opponent. That never changes.

“What we look like as a group is my responsibility. That’s the privileged position I am in. I’ll hold that umbrella for me to get wet and everyone else to stay dry.

“[Wednesday] hurts an awful lot, but that doesn’t stop me. That hurt is used as pure motivation and inspiration to want more, expect more and get us going in a different direction.”