Manchester United humiliated by Como, Bruno Fernandes takes aim at Michael Carrick

After the 4-1 rout at Como, Bruno Fernandes criticizes Manchester United’s tactical choices

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Manchester United humiliated by Como, Bruno Fernandes takes aim at Michael Carrick

21.10.26 FT Champions League

Como

Manchester United

Brushed aside by Como in the Champions League, Manchester United are going through another crisis. Bruno Fernandes publicly questioned his team’s tactical instructions.

The Italian evening left its mark on Manchester United. Beaten 4-1 by Como this Wednesday, October 21, on matchday three of the Champions League, the Red Devils were above all dominated in open play. At the final whistle, their captain Bruno Fernandes made no secret of his questions about the defensive organization requested by Michael Carrick’s coaching staff.

Bruno Fernandes questions the absence of individual pressing

“It’s a choice by the staff not to press individually and sometimes to leave space in order to try to win the ball back, to wait for the opponent,” the Portuguese explained after the match.

He then emphasized the consequences of this approach: “But sometimes, when you leave space for these teams, they grow in confidence. They have so many players behind the ball that it forces you to run a lot, it frustrates the opponents, and then obviously, when you win the ball back, your legs and your brain have much more difficulty keeping up.”

Without explicitly calling for his coach’s departure, Fernandes thus highlights the gap between Manchester United’s intentions and the reality on the pitch: by sitting back for too long, his team allowed Como to establish its passing patterns and impose its rhythm.

Como’s dominant display puts Michael Carrick under pressure

The club coached by Cesc Fàbregas took advantage of this freedom from the second minute, when Nico Paz opened the scoring. The Argentine then set up Anastasios Douvikas for the second goal (49th minute), before scoring his second (57th minute). Jacobo Ramón added another (76th minute), with Joshua Zirkzee salvaging some pride for the visitors in stoppage time.

This result extends Manchester United’s run to seven matches without a win in all competitions. The tactical questions raised by their captain therefore add further pressure on Carrick, who was already facing criticism because of the results.

Manchester United must quickly find an answer

The defeat away to Como comes as Manchester United are also struggling in the European league phase. The issue is no longer limited to attacking efficiency: it also concerns the team’s collective ability to win the ball back without enduring long spells of opposition possession.

Fernandes’ comments do not amount to an announcement of a break with Carrick. Nevertheless, they offer an insight into the difficulties felt by the players, at a time when the coach must quickly find solutions to halt the poor run of form.

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