Bruno Fernandes vents frustration at Manchester United tactics after 4-1 Como defeat
Fernandes questions Carrick's approach as Como run riot
Bruno Fernandes was visibly angry after his substitution in Manchester United's 4-1 Champions League defeat to Como at the Stadio Sinigaglia, and he appeared to criticise manager Michael Carrick's tactics. Sky Sport Italia's touchline reporter confirmed the captain punched the bench in frustration when returning to the dugout.
It is the second Champions League game in a row in which United have conceded in the opening five minutes, following their 2-0 defeat to Atletico Madrid. Como, who were in Serie B only three years ago and in Serie C as recently as 2021, scored through a Nico Paz brace, Tasos Douvikas and a header from Jacobo Ramon.
'We started on the wrong foot'
Speaking to TNT Sports, Fernandes was blunt about the performance: "It's not the first time, we started on the wrong foot, and they scored very early," he said. "Not much pressure on the ball, not many good movements with the ball, not many things going our way. Conceding early makes us go into game with a mood of defeat, it's difficult to get out of that, trying to be brave, to have the ball and make something happen."
Como dominated possession for long periods, and United often seemed to drop off and allow them to build. Fernandes suggested that was a deliberate choice: "It's a decision from the staff to not press man to man and sometimes leave space behind and try to get the ball, wait for them, but sometimes when you give space to these teams they get confidence."
Asked whether that meant he believed Carrick was getting his tactics wrong, the midfielder deflected responsibility, but still made his point: "That's on the manager and staff to see, not me. Sometimes you have to be more brave under pressure, take the risk of pressing high and making them uncomfortable. As you saw with them, the centre-back was coming to mark me in my own half. We need to do that as a team, but we were unable to."
He added: "A team that plays through the middle with small connections, if you give them too much time and space then they can hurt you out wide." He concluded simply: "I think sometimes we have to be more brave under pressure."
Form and pressure on Carrick
The result leaves Manchester United on three points from three Champions League games, while Como have six from their three matches in their first-ever Champions League campaign. Fernandes has been under scrutiny for a dip in form, and FotMob data for the 2026-27 Premier League shows him with 7 appearances, 3 goals and 1 assist in that competition. Reports have also linked United with Antonio Conte as a possible replacement for Carrick; these are reports only, and the club has not confirmed any change.