Bruno Fernandes dropped for Bournemouth clash after criticism of Michael Carrick tactics

Bruno Fernandes was dropped by Michael Carrick for Manchester United’s game against Bournemouth after criticising the manager in an explosive interview following Wednesday’s 4-1 defeat to Como.

Carrick left his captain, and the reigning PFA Player of the Year, out and instead put him on the bench, signalling the sudden breakdown in their relationship after Fernandes publicly blamed the head coach.

Fernandes said Carrick was responsible for United’s lack of pressing in the defeat to Como, saying it was up to the manager.

Bruno Fernandes cut a dejected figure walking into Old Trafford (Getty)

Carrick had taken his captain off in Como and, in Friday’s press conference, had refused to confirm if the Portuguese would keep the captaincy.

Fernandes, who has lost form this season, has not scored in his last seven appearances, leaving Carrick preferring to pick Youri Tielemans and Mason Mount and giving the armband to former skipper Harry Maguire.

It is the first time Fernandes has been dropped for a Premier League game in almost seven years at United with the 32-year-old almost ever present and only tending to miss games when injured, rested or suspended.

Fernandes is on the bench against Bournemouth (PA Wire)

When asked about his decision to drop his skipper, Carrick insisted it was purely for footballing reasons.

“Picking the team, the starting XI, you’ve got options to choose from and it’s always a difficult decision,” Carrick told Sky Sports.

“We’ve got to make what we feel is the right one for today, for the team and to try and get that performance that we want.”

“When pushed on whether the decision was for footballing reasons or because of the midweek comments for Fernandes, Carrick added: “Pure football, pure football.”

Michael Carrick made the big call to drop Bruno Fernandes (Getty)

The former United captain Gary Neville said Carrick had “no option” but to drop Fernandes after a “direct attack” on the manager.

He told Sky Sports: “I don’t think there is any way that Carrick can start Fernandes today. I’ve no idea if he is going to start but when I saw Carrick’s face on Friday, you could see in his eyes he was going to embark on something that was going to bring this to a head.

“It’s a direct attack on the manager. If you go back 25 years, these players would never be anywhere near the club, never mind the pitch. They’d be gone. Finished.”