‘Bruno’s as good as ever’ – Carrick backs Man Utd captain

Manchester United head coach Michael Carrick has praised captain Bruno Fernandes, stating his commitment to the club is "undoubted" and that he is "as good as ever". Fernandes was left out of the starting lineup after the 4-1 Champions League loss in Como, where he criticized Carrick and his coaching staff. However, he was recalled for the subsequent Premier League defeat against Chelsea, where he scored a retaken penalty to help spark a comeback.

Fernandes has dismissed claims of "clear-the-air talks" with Carrick, rejecting the notion of any such discussions. Carrick emphasized that the midfielder's actions, including his performance in the penalty situation, speak volumes. He also noted that discussions between the pair are a routine part of their relationship. Carrick declined to go into detail about his conversations with Fernandes but affirmed that the team is on the right path.

The club is expected to assess the managerial situation after the upcoming match against Aston Villa. Carrick acknowledged that United's recent performance—only one victory in nine games—is not satisfactory and emphasized the need for improvement to turn things around.