Michael Carrick, head coach of Manchester United, and captain Bruno Fernandes held talks to resolve a disagreement before the team's travel to Chelsea, according to BBC Sport. The pair reportedly spoke privately at the club's training centre on Tuesday, with the conversation focused on airing grievances.
Fernandes, 32, was an unused substitute during United's 3-0 defeat by Bournemouth on Sunday. He was benched after criticising Carrick's tactics following a 4-1 loss to Como in the Champions League. It is unclear whether Fernandes apologised for his criticism of Carrick's tactics. Fernandes became club captain in 2023.
United are preparing for Saturday's trip to Chelsea at 12:30 GMT, with Fernandes potentially returning to the starting lineup. Carrick will manage the Premier League match at Stamford Bridge. Carrick was expected to be sacked after the Bournemouth game, but United's board decided the 45-year-old deserved a chance to turn things around at Old Trafford.
The team sits 16th in the Premier League, and Carrick has secured only one win in eight Premier League matches this season. The board does not consider the club's situation to be entirely Carrick's fault. Club officials believe United's players — a squad they consider capable of qualifying for the Champions League — are playing poorly and should bear some of the blame.
One player told BBC Sport: "The feeling is that we all want to fix it. The players, the staff, everyone." Midfielder Kobbie Mainoo returned to training on Wednesday after two weeks out with an injury.
A BBC Sport source states that the club has shortlisted former Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe. Former German international and Bayern Munich coach Julian Nagelsmann is also a potential replacement for Carrick. Appointing Howe would trigger a compensation claim of several million pounds from his former club Newcastle, while Nagelsmann is a free agent.
