Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes has raised eyebrows with his comments after the defeat to Como.

Another woeful Manchester United performance has placed Michael Carrick under serious pressure.

His position may look even more untenable after comments from captain Bruno Fernandes, speaking after the 4-1 loss.

Fernandes told TNT Sports: “Conceding early makes us go into game with a mood of defeat, it’s difficult to get out of that, trying to be brave, to have the ball and make something happen. If we are not able to do that, it is going to be very difficult to get out of this situation.

“It’s a decision from the staff to not press man to man and sometimes leave space behind and try to get the ball, wait for them, but sometimes when you give space to these teams they get confidence.”

United were 1-0 down at half-time and conceded a further three goals in the second half before Joshua Zirkzee pulled a goal back in stoppage time.

Lack of leadership evident at United

Bruno Fernandes was asked to clarify his comments and if he was directly criticising the tactics. He tried to backtrack a little – but did not shy away from his view.

He said: “That’s on the manager and staff to see, not me. Sometimes you have to be more brave under pressure, take the risk of pressing high and making them uncomfortable. As you saw with them [Como], the centre-back was coming to mark me in my own half. We need to do that as a team but we were unable to.

“A team that plays through the middle with small connections, if you give them too much time and space then they can hurt you out wide.”

There was a lack of leadership on show from United’s players against Como – with Fernandes among the poorest players on the pitch.

Fernandes’ post match comments suggest he has lost faith in Carrick’s coaching staff, he is certainly playing like a footballer who has lost belief.

But calling out the head coach reflects poorly on him, and Fernandes must be prepared to take the criticism that will come his way.