Former Liverpool vice-captain Jamie Carragher has criticised Bruno Fernandes after the Manchester United captain publicly questioned manager Michael Carrick. Speaking as a summariser on CBS Sports, Carragher said the outburst was driven by embarrassment at being substituted, and argued that Fernandes's running has been more about playing to the crowd than helping the team. He called the arm-waving during games an absolute disgrace and said it was "not what a Manchester United captain should be."
The row follows a similar controversy a week earlier, when defender Lisandro Martinez said he expected more investment in the squad and "more from our technical director [Jason Wilcox]". Martinez later apologised. Carrick, already under pressure after a poor start to the season, responded that wherever tactics are set, players must run forward and back to win. United have not won in their past seven games, including a Champions League defeat to Atletico Madrid, and have claimed just one win in seven Premier League matches this season.
Few have backed Fernandes's public criticism, though some understand his frustration. Former Celtic goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel said such issues should be kept in-house, warning that the public airing only adds to the club's problems. Former Liverpool defender Stephen Warnock and ex-Chelsea midfielder Joe Cole, speaking on TNT Sports, agreed that dissent belongs in the dressing room, with Cole calling it "sacrilege".
Andy Mitten, editor of United We Stand, said Fernandes had "thrown his coach under the bus", though he noted that fans are divided on the matter. Mitten pointed out that Fernandes may also be motivated by a desire for a new contract, having not played as much as he would like.
Source: BBC Sport Football · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing