Man United stop Bruno Fernandes speaking Italian after 4-1 Como humiliation

Red Devils' crisis deepens as press office silences captain

Manchester United's press office prevented captain Bruno Fernandes from conducting a post-match interview in Italian after the club's humiliating 4-1 Champions League defeat to Como, according to a pitchside reporter who was present at the match.

Como crushed Manchester United 4-1 in a Champions League match played at the Stadio Sinigaglia, with Cesc Fabregas' side delivering a dominant performance that once again laid bare the Red Devils' fragility and intensified the pressure on boss Michael Carrick.

Sky Sport Italia journalist Pierluigi Bagnulo, who covered the match pitchside in Como, reflected on United's struggles in a social media post.

"It was almost disturbing to see how disjointed a team that has 'United' in its name is," he wrote. "I witnessed the caption of the actual state of Manchester United in four episodes happening in the space of ten minutes."

Among those episodes, Bagnulo described "Carrick ignoring his players at the final whistle, going straight to the fans to apologise." He then revealed that Fernandes was barred from answering Sky Sport Italia's questions in Italian — despite the Portuguese midfielder, who spent years in Italy with Novara, Sampdoria and Udinese, speaking the language perfectly.

"The press office prevented Bruno Fernandes from speaking in Italian for a post-match interview, fearing they wouldn't understand his words," Bagnulo said.

The reporter also captured a stark split within the club's leadership. "Bruno said that Manchester United must stop thinking about the past; otherwise they'll never get over this. Carrick (a gentleman for how he behaved after the match) contradicted him a minute later, saying he doesn't agree at all," Bagnulo added.

"It's a club that is sadly crumbling hour after hour."

The public disconnect echoes reporting from October 22, when Fernandes had already vented his frustration at United's tactics in the same 4-1 defeat, questioning Carrick's approach and visibly fuming after being substituted.

Milan legend Zvonimir Boban, working as a Sky Sport Italia pundit, was scathing at full time, criticising both Fernandes and the club. "They will not have a present or future at a strong level as long as he [Bruno] is the best player," Boban said.