According to a report by Metro on Thursday, October 22, 2026, Michael Carrick has hit back at Bruno Fernandes following Manchester United’s humiliating 4-1 defeat to Como, while expressing anger at his players’ performance in the Champions League.

the Manchester United manager criticised his team’s lack of effort after the Italian side secured an emphatic victory at the Giuseppe Sinigaglia Stadium.

Como, managed by former Arsenal and Chelsea midfielder Cesc Fabregas, dominated large periods of the contest despite competing in the Champions League for the first time in their history.

Nico Paz scored twice, while Tasos Douvikas and Jacobo Ramon also found the net to put the hosts 4-0 ahead. Joshua Zirkzee scored a late consolation for Manchester United.

The defeat increased the pressure on Carrick, whose team have struggled for consistency this season. United captain Fernandes also appeared to question the manager’s tactical approach after the match.

Speaking to TNT Sports, the Portuguese midfielder explained the decision to avoid an aggressive man-to-man pressing strategy.

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

"But sometimes when you give too much the ball to these teams, they get confident, they have so many bodies behind the ball that make you run a lot which makes people get frustrated.

"And then, when we recover the ball, the legs and the brain are much more difficult to make it work."

Asked whether Carrick and his coaching staff had made the wrong tactical decisions, Fernandes added: "That's on the manager and staff to see it, not me. Sometimes you have to be more brave under pressure, take the risk of pressing high and making them uncomfortable."

Carrick responded by questioning his players’ application, insisting that tactical decisions could not compensate for a lack of commitment on the pitch.

"I'm bitterly disappointed, I'm frustrated, more than frustrated, I'm really angry," he said.

The manager also pointed out that United had attempted to press Como more aggressively after the break but conceded another goal.