Bruno Fernandes has admitted Manchester United is not the club it once was in an explosive new interview.

The Red Devils are in a state of deep malaise, with Wednesday night’s 4-1 Champions League defeat by Como stretching their winless run to seven matches and leaving Michael Carrick on the brink of dismissal.

Fernandes got the nod in Como but was hooked midway through the second half and was visibly frustrated as he took his seat on the bench.

Speaking at full-time, the Portuguese playmaker pointed the finger for United’s latest humiliation at Carrick’s tactics.

And he has now taken aim at the club once again in a fresh interview with Sky Italia, saying United must stop measuring itself against its highly decorated past in order to progress as a club.

“Everyone at the club needs to understand that things are no longer the same; we are no longer in the past, and we must look to the future,” he declared.

“We need to create something different in the present. At this club, there is too much focus on what was achieved in the past, but that is no longer who we are.

“Both the club and the players need to grasp this. Unfortunately for us—especially regarding the players—those who arrive expect to win trophies, win matches, and reach the highest level, but, sadly, that has proven very difficult at this club in recent years. That is the situation.”

Carrick is the latest in a long line of United managers to have tried and failed to match the dominance of Sir Alex Ferguson, who steered the club to 13 league titles alongside a host of other domestic and international honours in 27 years as its manager. They have not won the Premier League since he retired in 2013.

The early days of this season have been particularly poor, and Carrick’s job is now at risk as a result.

Fernandes continued, saying that United need change if they are to get back to winning ways.

“It’s a very difficult time for us; we aren’t getting the points or the results we want. Most importantly, we aren’t delivering the level of performance we expect from ourselves.

“Unfortunately, it’s one of those spells that we just can’t seem to break out of. We need to do something to change this situation and start winning—it’s crucial.”

It remains to be seen whether Carrick will be in the dugout for the visit of Bournemouth this weekend, though United’s hierarchy are said to be looking into potential new managers as they consider his future.

Read More