Man Utd captain Bruno Fernandes dropped to bench by manager Michael Carrick
Manchester United suffered a 3-0 defeat to Bournemouth after manager Michael Carrick benched captain Bruno Fernandes. The decision followed Fernandes' public criticism of Carrick's tactics, further intensifying pressure on the manager during a winless run.
Why it matters
The loss exacerbates the crisis at Manchester United, highlighting the tension between leadership and key players.
Figure caption, Highlights: Pressure grows on Carrick as Man United lose at home to Bournemouth
Chief football news reporter at Old Trafford Published 25 October 2026 Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes was dropped and left on the bench for Sunday's 3-0 Premier League defeat by Bournemouth at Old Trafford.
Fernandes' place in the team had been debated since his explosive comments after Wednesday's Champions League humiliation by Como, when he blamed manager Michael Carrick for United's tactics in the 4-1 defeat and his failure to alter them.
Carrick refused to say in his media conference on Friday whether Fernandes would be dropped.
That happened, with the Portugal midfielder left on the bench as United's winless run in all competitions extended to eight matches.
Asked on Sky Sports before the match about the selection, Carrick called Fernandes' omission "a football decision".
Headlinne story · 8 newsrooms
Manchester United Loses to Bournemouth as Pressure Mounts on Carrick
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