Bruno Fernandes is expected to be included in Manchester United’s squad for their Premier League meeting with Chelsea on 31 October 2026, as Michael Carrick prepares to move past the disagreement with the club captain.
The Portuguese playmaker was left out of the side that faced Bournemouth after comments he made following Manchester United’s match against Como. His omission came as questions were also being raised about Carrick’s position as manager.
According to the Mirror, Fernandes is now in line to return for the ninth round of the Premier League, with the situation around the midfielder appearing to have become clearer after Manchester United’s board decided to give Carrick more time.
Club officials, including Omar Berrada and Jason Wilcox, held discussions about Carrick’s position and concluded that he should remain in charge while attempting to halt the decline at Old Trafford. That decision appears to have helped clarify the club’s stance on Fernandes.
The Athletic reported that the atmosphere around Carrington is moving towards a resolution, increasing the likelihood that Fernandes will be available for this week’s fixture against Chelsea.
Carrick explained the captain’s absence before Manchester United’s match against Bournemouth, saying: “He is fit and available, but we decided to go with the team we played today. Unfortunately, we were unable to achieve the desired result.”
Manchester United suffered a 3-0 defeat by Bournemouth in the eighth round of the Premier League. The result left them 16th in the table on seven points from one win, four draws and three defeats.
The setback made the club’s position more difficult, but Carrick’s decision to leave Fernandes out did not result in the midfielder being ruled out through injury. His availability means he could now return to the squad as Manchester United seek a response against Chelsea.
The match will represent the ninth round of the Premier League and is scheduled for 31 October 2026. Fernandes’ possible involvement follows a period in which his role became closely linked to the wider uncertainty surrounding Carrick and Manchester United’s form.
For now, the reports indicate that the dispute is being set aside, with the club captain potentially available to help the team at a difficult stage of the season.
