Man United captain Fernandes slams Carrick’s tactics after Como hammering

Manchester United captain Bruno ‌Fernandes remarked his side failed to apply enough pressure and adopted ⁠a "mood of defeat" ⁠after conceding early in Wednesday's 4-1 Champions League loss at Como, a result that climbed scrutiny on manager Michael Carrick.

Key points

• Como opened the scoring ⁠in the second minute, and United collapsed, with only a stoppage-time consolation goal from Joshua Zirkzee making the scoreline slightly less severe.
• Asked if his comments amounted to criticism of Carrick's tactics, Fernandes remarked: That's on the manager and staff to see, not me.
• United have three points from their opening three Champions League matches and host AS Roma in their next fixture in the competition.
• We started on the wrong ⁠foot, and they scored very early, Fernandes informed TNT Sports.
• Carrick has come under increasing pressure with ⁠United now winless in seven matches.

We started on the wrong ⁠foot, and they scored very early, Fernandes informed TNT Sports. There was not enough pressure on the ball and not plenty of good movements off the ball. There were plenty of things not going our way.

"It's a decision from the staff not to 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, " he remarked.

"Sometimes you have to be more brave under pressure, take the risk of pressing high and ⁠making them uncomfortable."

It was more than disappointing, the 45-year-old manager informed TNT Sports. I think everybody's obtained 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.

"But as a supporter of this football club, to see a ⁠performance like that is unacceptable, I have to ⁠say." Carrick remarked his side had failed to show the required intensity.

"It's the motivation and the purpose and the intensity of a game of football that you have to bring. We didn't bring that today, " ‌he remarked. "I've got to apologise for the performance." Fernandes additionally questioned United's mentality after the early setback.

"Conceding early makes us go into the game with a mood ‌of ‌defeat, " he remarked.

Taken together, the developments around man United captain Fernandes slams Carrick's tactics after Como hammering point to a situation that is still moving, and the coming days should bring more clarity.