Manchester United's 4-1 Champions League defeat to Como was bad enough, but the fallout from the match has left manager Michael Carrick facing fresh questions about his tactics and his future. For the second consecutive Champions League game, a United post-match interview has threatened to overshadow the team's performance, with captain Bruno Fernandes now publicly questioning the coaching staff's approach.

United fell behind inside two minutes when Nico Paz opened the scoring, before Como added three more goals, including another from Paz, in a miserable night for the visitors. Joshua Zirkzee scored a late consolation, but the damage had already been done.

After the match, Fernandes' pointed assessment of the coaching staff's pressing strategy quickly shifted the focus from the result to the growing disconnect within the team.

"It's a decision from the staff to not press man to man and sometimes leave space behind and try to get the ball, but sometimes when you give too much the ball to these teams they get confidence," Fernandes told TNT Sports.

For the second consecutive Champions League outing, United's performance on the pitch was followed by a post-match interview that sparked a bigger conversation about what is going wrong at the club.

Asked directly whether Carrick had got his tactics wrong, the United captain was clear about where he felt responsibility lay.

"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," he added.

Carrick was then asked about Fernandes' criticism and responded bluntly, pointing to the players' work rate rather than the system.

"There's a little bit of whatever system you play, whatever tactics you play, if you don't run, and you don't run forward, and you don't run back, you aren't going to win," the United head coach said.

ANOTHER DEFEAT, ANOTHER EXPLOSIVE INTERVIEW

This is the second consecutive Champions League defeat after which a Manchester United player's post-match interview has stirred controversy. Following their 2-0 loss to Atletico Madrid last week, Lisandro Martinez publicly questioned the club's summer recruitment and singled out technical director Jason Wilcox, saying he expected more from the people in charge.

Martinez later apologised for the way he expressed his frustration after holding talks with the club's leadership.

Fernandes' criticism has now shifted the focus to Carrick and his staff. While the captain questioned United's pressing plan, the manager's response made clear that he felt the players had not done enough on the pitch.

The exchange has only added to the scrutiny surrounding a team struggling to find its footing.

IS CARRICK'S FUTURE AT UNITED UNDER THREAT?

The defeat has put Michael Carrick under renewed pressure, with Manchester United now seven games without a win in all competitions. The former midfielder guided the club back into the Champions League last season and was rewarded with a two-year contract, but the team's performances have deteriorated sharply in the new campaign.

Carrick did not try to hide his frustration after the loss to Como. He took responsibility for the performance, while making it clear that the players had fallen short of the standards expected at United.

"It was more than disappointing. I think everybody's got to take responsibility for that. I'll take responsibility for the overall team and performance, it stops with me and I'm fine with that," he said.

The United manager also apologised to the travelling supporters, admitting that the display was difficult to watch.

"I care an unbelievable amount about the supporters. They're the heartbeat of this football club and always will be. I've got to apologise for the performance. Everything they've done to get here tonight, for them to watch that performance tonight, I feel for them," Carrick added.

Asked whether he was worried about losing his job, Carrick insisted he had not given his position any thought.

"Listen, I've not given my own position any thought. It is the supporters. I was one of them tonight watching that and I wasn't happy at all," he said.

United are 13th in the Premier League and face Bournemouth at Old Trafford on Sunday. With results continuing to go against them, Carrick needs a response from his players quickly.

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