This time last week, Michael Carrick was preparing to face questions about Lisandro Martinez's explosive post-match comments following Manchester United's defeat by Atletico Madrid.

The United head coach spoke well – and also made a point of stressing how well his team had trained prearing for their visit to Leeds United.

Now he has to go through it all again after skipper Bruno Fernandes made more personal comments after the 4-1 hammering by Como.

Fernandes has not been disciplined by the club or had the captaincy removed. But some feel Carrick should drop him anyway.

His former team-mate and good friend Wayne Rooney has urged him to "come out fighting" and show "no more Mr Nice Guy".

It will be fascinating to see how Carrick deals with Friday's news conference.

He knows more than anyone the importance of a victory to end a current seven-match run without a win, their worst since 2015-16.

Carrick also promised on Tuesday there would be an update on Benjamin Sesko's shin injury.