Bruno Fernandes ruffled feathers with a critique of Michael Carrick's gameplan last week, with Paul Scholes breaking his silence on the dramatic saga

Paul Scholes claims Bruno Fernandes is "finished" at Manchester United following his public criticism of Michael Carrick in the wake of their defeat to Como. The Red Devils were thrashed 4-1 by the Italian outfit in the Champions League last week before suffering a dismal 3-0 loss to Bournemouth at the weekend.

Fernandes was hauled off midway through the Como match, with Joshua Zirkzee brought on in his place as Carrick searched for an attacking spark. The Portuguese skipper's response saw him shake his head in dismay as he made his way around the Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia before heading back to the dugout.

Afterward, Fernandes also openly questioned his manager's tactical approach, telling the media: "It's a decision from the staff to not press man-to-man and sometimes leave a little space in behind and 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, make people get frustrated, and then obviously when you recover the ball the legs are, and the brain, much more difficult to make it work."

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Carrick was swift to hit back at those comments in his post-match press conference, making clear that his system only functions when his players put in the hard yards. In the wake of his comments, Fernandes was dropped to the bench for Sunday's 3-0 defeat to Bournemouth at Old Trafford.

And now, club legend Scholes believes this could signal the beginning of the end for the Portuguese playmaker. Speaking on the Good, the Bad and the Football, the 51-year-old said: "What Bruno Fernandes said last week, I think that's unforgivable.

"How can Bruno Fernandes be trusted to be captain of any team he ever goes to now? I think he probably needs to get away from European football and just go to Saudi, just get out the way. I don't think any manager, any member of staff can trust him after that."

Former United midfielder Nicky Butt, meanwhile, noted that Fernandes may have tarnished his legacy at the club as a result of the dispute. He said: "We sing his praises for his abilities.

"He's been the only player for the last 12, 13 years that's gone, 'I know what it means to play for this football club and I'm good enough to play football and I'm going to carry it on my shoulders and I'm going to lead it. I'm going to score goals. I'm going to create. I'm not leaving. I'm staying. I'm fighting the fight.' And he's killed himself in one interview. Stupid."

The Athletic, however, claim that Carrick and Fernandes are expected to 'draw a line under it', with the United skipper in contention to feature against Chelsea after being dropped last weekend. It comes as Carrick finds himself with precious little time to prove his worth at Manchester United, after club bosses opted to keep him at the helm for the trip to Stamford Bridge.

The club have endured a dreadful start to the campaign and languish in 16th place in the Premier League table, having picked up just one win from their opening eight league outings. United have also gone eight matches without a victory across all competitions, leaving Carrick fighting to save his position.

Saturday's 12.30pm kick-off in west London could prove to be the final nail in the coffin, unless the 45-year-old can steer his side to a positive result and begin to reverse their alarming slide.