Manchester United head coach Michael Carrick and club captain Bruno Fernandes have held clear-the-air discussions at the club's training complex ahead of Saturday's encounter with Chelsea. The private meeting on Tuesday was aimed at resolving issues after the 32-year-old midfielder was relegated to the bench as an unused substitute during United's 3-0 home defeat against Bournemouth on Sunday.
Fernandes, who was appointed captain in 2023, was dropped from the side after voicing criticism of Carrick's tactical setup following their 4-1 loss to Como in the Champions League. It remains unclear whether the Portuguese playmaker issued an apology during Tuesday's talks, though he could be brought straight back into the starting line-up for the trip to Stamford Bridge. Carrick was also handed a fitness boost on Wednesday as midfielder Kobbie Mainoo resumed training following a fortnight out of action due to injury.
Many anticipated that Carrick would be dismissed after the Bournemouth loss, but United's board determined that the 45-year-old deserved the chance to rectify the situation at Old Trafford. United currently sit in 16th place in the Premier League with just one win from their opening eight matches, yet club executives do not view the slump as being exclusively Carrick's fault. Senior figures consider the squad fully capable of securing Champions League qualification, arguing that the players are underperforming heavily and must take accountability, with one player noting: "The feeling is that we all want to put it right. Players, staff, everyone."
Carrick is set to lead United into Saturday's 12:30 GMT match against Chelsea, but contingency plans are already in place should a change become necessary. United have compiled a shortlist of potential successors that includes free agent Julian Nagelsmann, previously in charge of Bayern Munich and Germany, as well as former Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe, whose hiring would necessitate a multi-million-pound compensation payout to his former team.