Bruno Fernandes remains Man United captain as Michael Carrick reveals talks

Bruno Fernandes has kept the Manchester United captaincy after his clear-the-air talks with manager Michael Carrick.

The Portugal international criticised Carrick and his tactics after United’s 4-1 defeat to Como last week and was then left out of the team for Sunday’s 3-0 loss to Bournemouth, with the manager claiming it was a “pure football” decision – even though he then brought on four other players as substitutes while ignoring Fernandes.

But while Carrick gave the armband to former skipper Harry Maguire last week, he is adamant Fernandes remains captain, with the 32-year-old expected to return to the team for Saturday’s trip to Chelsea.

“He's an important player for this group,” said Carrick. “He has been and he will be. Between us, we've got to make a difference and we've got to push things in a good direction.

“He's fully committed to this football club, he's fully committed to making things better. It doesn't change for me. He's the one that's kind of led the team so well for many a game and many a year, and he'll continue to do that.”

Fernandes was described as being back to the best version of himself in training earlier this week and spoke to Carrick individually.

Carrick said it was a simple choice to keep him as captain. “There's no decision to be made on that,” he added.

Fernandes, who was appointed captain by Erik ten Hag in 2023, won the PFA Player of the Year and Footballer of the Year awards last season but has now gone seven games without a goal.