Manchester United drop captain Bruno Fernandes to bench for Bournemouth

Bruno Fernandes in Manchester United kit

Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes has been dropped for Sunday’s Premier League game against Bournemouth.

Fernandes’ place in the team has been debated since his explosive comments after Wednesday’s Champions League humiliation by Como, when he blamed manager Michael Carrick for United’s tactics in the 4-1 defeat and his failure to alter them.

Carrick refused to say in his media conference on Friday whether Fernandes would be dropped. That has now happened, with the Portugal international left on the bench as United look to end a seven-match run without a win in all competitions.

Changes in selection and captaincy

Harry Maguire takes over as captain, with Mason Mount handed a playmaking role along with Youri Tielemans.

It is only the sixth time Fernandes has been left on the bench for a Premier League game. The last two, at the end of the 2024-25 season, were to keep him fresh for important Europa League games.

Matheus Cunha is also on the bench after being replaced at half-time in Italy.

Carrick responds in programme notes

Carrick referred to the Como debacle in his programme notes for Sunday’s game:

“Manchester United is a truly great football club. Our standards and values have been set out over generations and are very important to me. As a group, we have a duty to represent you in a manner that is befitting of those principles. Wednesday’s performance was extremely disappointing in many ways. Today we have to show what we are all about. We all need to stick together but we know that we absolutely have to do better for you. Now, as a group, we need to put in a performance that your support deserves.”

United host Bournemouth looking to halt the slide and restore confidence after the 4-1 defeat in Italy and the public fallout over tactics.