Manchester United: Michael Carrick ready to 'move forward' with Bruno Fernandes as captain and doesn't require assurances on his own future
Man Utd boss Michael Carrick says there is "no decision to be made on" whether Bruno Fernandes remains as club captain; midfielder was benched for defeat to Bournemouth after criticising Carrick's tactics; Carrick will take charge of Saturday's trip to Chelsea
Thursday 29 October 2026 14:59, UK
Michael Carrick says he is ready to "move forward" with Bruno Fernandes as Man Utd captain.
Carrick benched Fernandes for Sunday's 3-0 loss to Bournemouth after the midfielder spoke out about his manager's tactics in the Champions League defeat at Como last week.
Sky Sports News reported Carrick and Fernandes held clear-the-air talks on Tuesday.
On Sunday, Carrick said the decision to name Fernandes among the subs was for "football" reasons and he stood by that statement on Thursday in a press conference ahead of Saturday's Premier League trip to Chelsea.
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"It was a decision for the game. That's it," said Carrick. "Bruno is fully committed to this football club. I've got no issues with that, we move forward.
"We're looking forward to the game now."
On whether Fernandes would continue as captain after Harry Maguire took the armband last weekend, Carrick said: "There's no decision to be made on that."
Carrick was then asked whether Fernandes was too emotional to be captain and gave his clear backing to the 32-year-old.
"He's the captain of our football club," said Carrick. "There are different personalities, different characteristics, different ways to lead. It all comes down to what happens on the football pitch and whether you win or not in the end.
"He cares deeply about this football club and the team and he's desperate to do well. We'll lead that together."
Carrick: I don't need assurances on my future
Carrick's future as Man Utd head coach has been in the spotlight since the defeat at home to Bournemouth extended the club's worst-ever start to a Premier League season.
Chief executive Omar Berrada and director of football Jason Wilcox met at the club's Carrington training ground this week to discuss next steps but Carrick will continue to lead the team.
Despite the noise around his position, Carrick has insisted he doesn't require guarantees from the hierarchy about his long-term security.
"I don't need assurances from anyone," he said in Thursday's press conference. "I totally get the position, I get the job, the responsibility, I get what comes with that. I really don't need any assurances from anyone in that regard."
Carrick said his "main focus" has been preparing for Chelsea and he is not tuned in to criticism or questions about his future in the media.
"I don't see it," he said. "I only see the things I need to see.
"I don't look for it. It doesn't help. I've said it before, I care about what the supporters think. I care about how it feels in the stadium and them travelling to games - I care about what we give them and what they see.
"I genuinely don't take any notice of anything else. I know this job and I know what we need to be better. I don't need anyone else to tell me."
Asked if he was surprised to still be in his position, Carrick said: "No. I'm here to do my job. I'm here to do the best for the team. I'm desperate to make things better and improve things. I'm not surprised, no."
Analysis: Cool Carrick delivers message of togetherness
Sky Sports News' Kaveh Solhekol:
"He handled himself very well. He was very cool, he was very calm, he was very self-assured.
"The message he was trying to send out was: 'we at this club are going to stick together, I'm going to stick together with the players, the players are hurting, we accept performances and results haven't been good enough but we're working hard to turn things around'.
"I got the sense Carrick didn't want to talk too much about Fernandes. But we know he's had clear-the-air talks with Fernandes and it seems he will remain as captain.
"When it comes to handling the media, Carrick is the ultimate safe pair of hands because of his experience at the highest level being a player. He knows how things can be spun and blown up out of proportion.
"His message is always 'this is not about me, it's all about Man Utd, the club'."
