Bruno Fernandes is expected to return to the Manchester United starting line-up to face Chelsea.

Michael Carrick left Bruno Fernandes on the bench against Bournemouth, bringing four substitutes on instead of him. It was a clear punishment after Fernandes criticised the tactics of the coaching staff after the defeat to Como.

Carrick is set to stay on as United coach. It appears that Bruno Fernandes will be back under proper consideration this weekend.

Logically, it makes sense to select your captain, and a player who has scored more than 100 goals and assisted more than 100 goals for the club. Fernandes’ talent has never been in doubt.

But there are two conditions to be met by coach and player in order to make this the right decision…

Fernandes must genuinely be apologetic and committed

Bruno Fernandes crossed a line with his comments. But punishing him further only serves to punish the team. If he is genuinely apologetic, then Michael Carrick must accept this and move on, and use Fernandes for the good of the team.

If Fernandes is not committed, then Carrick must not restore him to the team simply on reputation and past performance.

Fernandes needs to display hunger and desire to turn his own form and the team’s form around.

If it is all a charade, then Manchester United fans will see straight through it – and the result on the pitch likely won’t be pretty either.

Carrick must play Fernandes in his proper role

In Manchester United’s away games against Atletico Madrid, Leeds, and Como, the decision was made to select Bruno Fernandes on the wing.

Fernandes was shunted out wide to accommodate an extra midfielder, but it limited the impact from the Manchester United captain.

Fernandes’ form was already poor, and playing him out wide exacerbated the issue.

He does not have a goal or assist in any of his last seven games in all club competitions.

Michael Carrick must restore Fernandes back to his preferred central role – or not at all.