Should Manchester United coach Carrick Berno Fernandes

Bruno Fernandes is the captain of Manchester United and his role is important for the team. Due to recent performances, his playing status is being discussed, which could affect United's chances in the Premier League.

Why it matters

Bruno Fernandes' situation is important for Manchester United, especially as the team is struggling in the Premier League. Questions are being raised on the team's performance under his captaincy, due to which coach Michael Carrick is finding it difficult to take decisions. If Fernandes is dropped, it could have a deep impact on the team's morale and strategy.

Key points

• Will Manchester United coach Carrick Berno Fernandes.
• Michael Carrick is struggling to decide whether he should leave captain Berno Fernandes out of the game against Bournemouth given the current state of the team..
• Should Man Utd boss Carrick drop Bruno Fernandes for Bournemouth? - BBC Sport.

Michael Carrick is never short for advice on how to go about his job as Manchester United head coach. There are few among their players who have been as divisive as Berno Fernandes. So, it's natural that there are many opinions on whether Fernandes should be ruled out for the crucial Premier League match against Bournemouth on Sunday. Former Everton and Rangers striker Duncan Ferguson has no doubts about that. "This is a big problem for Michael," he said on the Overlap podcast. "Put players in the team you trust. Your captain has got you into trouble. If you don't think he is playing for you, leave him out. I wouldn't pick him, although he is their best player."

Joe Smith, the respected host of Manchester United fan channel Stratford Paddock, is of the same opinion. "I don't think Fernandes should play at the weekend," he said. “I don't think (Lisandro) Martínez should have played against Leeds, because otherwise they are controlling here.”

United fans returning on flights from Como to Manchester had an opinion, although much of it was wrapped up in general thoughts about their club, the majority of which were negative. But only one man's opinion really matters. Carrick is the person who selects the team. His friend and former team-mate Wayne Rooney has an idea. "When Martínez came out, I said it's an absolute nightmare because it will tear the dressing room apart," he said on the United Stand podcast. "That was the beginning. We've seen it now with Fernandes and you're going to see it with more players because they don't want to take responsibility. "I've been in that position [as manager at Plymouth and Birmingham City] and if I'd been in Carrick's position, I'd have gone out fighting. No more Mr. Nice Man.”

Carrick declined to rule out the possibility of ruling Fernandes out of Sunday's game at a news conference on Friday. Many observers were shocked that Fernandes would not be disciplined for his post-match statements following the 4–1 Champions League defeat by Como. He was also surprised that he would remain Manchester United captain, while teammate Lisandro Martínez was punished for attacking the club hierarchy after a 2–0 defeat against Atlético Madrid. "It was a murder," a source who has previously worked with Fernandes told BBC Sport. “It was unnatural. Michael's team is killing them."

The problem is whether Fernandes is going too far by attacking Carrick's tactics, then saying that it is down to the coaching team to recognize and change the problem, not the players. Fernandes is one of the most knowledgeable members of Carrick's squad when it comes to football strategies, and he is very keen to succeed. His statements, which were made on TNT Sports, were not improvised, or said in an emotional state after the defeat, like those of Lisandro Martínez. Still, there is some sympathy for Fernandes at Old Trafford as the 32-year-old has given 10 post-match interviews following the Como failure, and for that matter, while he made no defense of Carrick, his words were not as inflammatory as they appear in text.

It is easy to see how former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson, who was a strong proponent of managers having control over their players, would have reacted in this situation. His challenges to authority often resulted in players leaving the club. However, you only have to listen to Gordon Strachan recounting his experiences at Aberdeen during Ferguson's time on "The Good, the Bad and The Football Podcast" to admit that some of the Scot's more extreme methods would not find acceptance in the current climate. Carrick has to live in today's times. United's hierarchy is to move away from the cycle of interviewing managers, having sacked Ruben Amorim last season and Eric ten Hag last season. However, there is also a fundamental truth that Carrick needs to end the current seven-match losing streak. If they fail against Bournemouth, it would be on par with Louis van Gaal's ill-fated run in 2015–16, which was the worst since a Ferguson-led team had eight draws and one defeat.

So, with Benjamin Cesco, Kobi Menu and Marcus Rashford all out through injury, could Carrick replace Fernandes even if he wanted to? The Portuguese's link-up with Youri Tielemans did not go as expected. And last season's PFA Player of the Year's only contributions were a hat-trick and an assist in a 5–2 win against Ipswich in August and his strike against Azerbaijan champions Sabah FK on 10 September. But, as Duncan Ferguson said, he is their best player. Carrick will have to take a decision. He has to make it right.

What will happen next

Carrick now has to decide whether he will keep Fernandes in the team against Bournemouth or not. If he ousts him, it will raise questions about his leadership and decision-making abilities. Apart from this, it will also be a message to other players that selection will be done on the basis of performance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will Bernado Fernandes be ruled out against Bournemouth?

There are many opinions on this, but the final decision has to be taken by Michael Carrick.

Who has advised the ouster of Berno Fernandes?

Former strikers Duncan Ferguson and Joe Smith have suggested the ouster of Berno Fernandes.

Why is Carrick under pressure to drop Berno Fernandes?

Because many fans and former players have negative opinions on Fernandes's performance.

Has Michael Carrick made a decision yet about Berno Fernandes?

Carrick has not taken any official decision yet.

By Berno Fernandes

What does Wayne Rooney have to say on the situation?

Wayne Rooney said Fernandes' situation could cause problems in the dressing room.

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