Bruno Fernandes and Manchester United are in turmoil with manager Michael Carrick hanging on by a thread

It has been two years to the day since Erik ten Hag left Manchester United. And club captain Bruno Fernandes' behaviour has drastically changed following the Dutchman's departure.

Having taken over in 2022, Ten Hag endured a tenure littered with ups and downs at Old Trafford. He guided the club to the Carabao Cup in 2023 and the FA Cup a year later, which landed him a contract extension.

But a disjointed dressing room and a lacklustre start to the 2024/25 season saw him relieved of his post on October 28, just nine games into the campaign. His captain, Fernandes, broke ranks upon his exit and sent him a heartfelt good luck message. This is a stark contrast to how the Portuguese superstar views his current boss, Michael Carrick - if his recent comments are anything to go by.

Carrick is on thin ice as United manager and Fernandes was dropped for their latest 3-0 humiliation against Bournemouth, having questioned his coach's tactics following a 4-1 midweek defeat to Como. What exactly has occurred since Ten Hag's exit in October 2024 and how has Fernandes' behaviour shifted so severely? Mirror Football takes a look.

Ten Hag goodbye

When Ten Hag left United, Fernandes was the first player in the squad to break their silence. He posted on Instagram: "Thanks for everything, boss! I appreciate the trust and the moments we shared together. I wish you all the best in the future.

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"Even knowing the last period hasn't been great from all of us I hope you fans can keep with you the good things the manager has done for our club!"

Evidently, the two got on like a house on fire and Fernandes was gutted to see Ten Hag go. It was Ten Hag who stripped Harry Maguire of the armband and gave it to Fernandes in the summer of 2023 after all. Another Dutch star, Ruud van Nistelrooy, stepped into the hot seat upon his compatriot's departure.

Van Nistelrooy praise and Amorim's arrival

Former United striker Van Nistelrooy was interim manager for just 14 days. He oversaw four games, with his final act being a 3-0 Premier League win against Leicester City.

Fernandes might have only been coached by Van Nistelrooy for a fortnight, but just as it had been with Ten Hag, his admiration and respect for the Premier League great were crystal clear when the coach waved goodbye.

"We wanted to say goodbye as a manager for him properly because he did good things for us," Fernandes told the BBC after the victory against Leicester. "Ruud van Nistelrooy fills the club, he loves the club, he wants to bring joy to the players. He brought everyone with a smile to the games, he just wanted us to enjoy it."

That was another coach Fernandes got on with seamlessly and never publicly questioned. Enter Ruben Amorim. The Portuguese boss' first half-season was far from impressive, but Fernandes' faith never wavered.

Defending Amorim

Amorim's United finished 15th in his first campaign at the helm and were beaten in the Europa League final by Tottenham. But did Fernandes speak out? No. He said after the defeat in the final: "I do think he's the right man. I don't think what happened this season shows exactly what he is as a manager."

Fernandes was linked with a transfer away from United in the summer of 2025, but this never materialised. Amorim was given the backing of the club's board and headed into the 2025/26 season hopeful.

But critics began to question the manager's tactics, specifically, how he utilised Fernandes. Under Amorim, the Portuguese attacker was often used deeper as a No. 8, whilst many believed his best position was as a creative No. 10.

Yet the captain constantly backed his boss despite patchy form and told Sky Sports after an October victory over Liverpool: "Our shape always gives teams issues. It is a little bit ungrateful to talk about shape when we lose games and in the same way I am grateful to talk about it when we win.

"We always believe in the system, whether we win or lose, but it's about doing the right things in the right moments. We had moments we had to suffer and we did that in the game and the main thing is to do the same thing and believe what we prepare is what is going to give us the win."

December outburst and Amorim's exit

Fernandes' behaviour shifted slightly in December. He spoke out against the club in an interview with Portuguese TV station Canal 11, where he claimed United wished to sell him in the summer.

However, he indirectly exposed the amicable relationship he and Amorim shared, as it was the manager who was desperate to keep him at Old Trafford. Fernandes said: "I decided not to go [to Saudi Arabia], not only for family reasons, but because I genuinely liked the club.

"From the club, I felt, 'If you go, it's not that bad for us.' It hurts me a bit. More than hurting, it makes me sad. The club wanted me to go [away]. I told the directors that I don't think they had the courage to make that decision because the coach wanted me."

Less than a month later, though, Amorim was sacked. A hierarchical power struggle boiled over after a bitter 1-1 draw against Leeds United and he gave an explosive post-match press conference, taking a jab at the club's board and transfer strategy.

He was let go on January 5. But again, Fernandes sent the departing manager a message. This one was shorter, but he wrote: "Thank you mister. I wish you and your technical staff all the best."

Carrick U-turn and current situation

Darren Fletcher took over briefly for two matches before Carrick arrived. The latter was wildly successful in his first season, guiding United to third in the Premier League. Fernandes' opinion on him was clear. He had previously spoken about his suitability as a coach and constantly praised Carrick last term. He even broke the single-season Premier League assist record under him.

After a win against Spurs in February, Fernandes said: "I think Michael came in with the right ideas of giving the players the responsibility, but also some freedom to take the responsibility on the pitch during the decisions that are needed.

"He's very good with the words and I think he still remembers when I told him last time he was our manager, for our last game and I was sure Michael could be a great manager and now he is showing it."

Yet, the frustrated Fernandes that we witnessed in December has now resurfaced. Carrick was given the summer and backed to some degree, but this season has started dreadfully. United are rooted near the bottom of the table and have just a single Premier League win to their name.

Fernandes rarely spoke out against his manager, if at all, during the reigns of Amorim and Ten Hag, or any of the interim coaches. But, like he did when questioning the club's apparent wish to sell him, he directly hit out at Carrick after the Como defeat.

He said: "It's a decision from the staff to not press man-to-man and sometimes leave space behind and try to get the ball… Sometimes you have to be more brave under pressure, take the risk of pressing high and making them uncomfortable."

The Portuguese star was dropped against the Cherries following these comments, although Carrick insists this was a footballing decision.

Reports claim that Fernandes is now looking to put the outburst behind him, having also taken an assumed jab at Carrick on social media. A rumoured meeting at Carrington took place yesterday, where it is thought both cleared the air.

But it has to be said that this is a sharp change in character seldom seen from Fernandes. Even when Ten Hag was on the brink - like Carrick - and was ultimately sacked, Fernandes did not act in this way and it cannot bode well for his and his current manager's relationship going forward.