Fernandes credits Carrick for benching him

Bruno Fernandes said Michael Carrick made the right call when he dropped him from the starting lineup last month. Fernandes spoke after Manchester United defeated Roma 3-2 at Old Trafford on Tuesday night. The win snapped a losing streak and provided a lifeline for the manager, whose position had grown precarious following recent results.

United fell behind 2-0 in the first half. Fernandes stepped up to take two penalties in the second half to level the score. Matheus Cunha scored the final two goals to secure the victory. The comeback ended a run of 10 games without a win for the club. Before this match, United had narrowly avoided their longest winless stretch in a single season since March 1978.

The tension between Fernandes and Carrick began after a 4-1 loss to Como in the Champions League. In a post-match interview, Fernandes criticized the manager’s tactical approach. Carrick responded by moving Fernandes to the bench for the following game against Bournemouth. The midfielder remained an unused substitute for that match. He described the demotion as a direct reaction to his performance rather than a punishment for his words.

“The manager took a decision of making myself on the bench because I wasn’t performing. And that’s fair,” Fernandes said. “Everyone felt like that was a punishment for the words that I had [after Como]. And if it was, it was right.” He added that the decision did not alter his belief in the staff or his personal goal to win every game he plays.

The atmosphere at Old Trafford was charged with protest against the club’s ownership. Despite the noise, Fernandes wanted the focus to remain on the team’s effort rather than the manager’s job security. He noted that the squad had worked hard to escape their difficult position. “We don’t need to save anyone’s job,” he said. “The club needed that win. The players needed that win.”

Carrick praised the energy at the stadium and the contribution of young players. He specifically highlighted Shea Lacey, a 19-year-old substitute who assisted Cunha’s winning goal. It was Lacey’s 10th senior appearance. Carrick described Lacey as a great young man with ability and mischief, saying the coaching staff loves him to bits.

The win leaves United in a better position heading into the next round of fixtures. Carrick credited the history of the ground for inspiring the team’s late surge. He said the venue has a history of producing magical nights, and this result fit that pattern.