Manchester United head coach Michael Carrick says Bruno Fernandes’ dedication to the club is “undoubted” and believes the captain is “as good as ever” despite recent reports of tension between the pair.
Fernandes was dropped for October’s home defeat by Bournemouth after criticising Carrick and his coaching staff following Manchester United’s 4-1 Champions League loss at Como.
The Portugal international returned to the starting line-up for the Premier League defeat by Chelsea a week later and then scored a retaken penalty to begin Manchester United’s remarkable second-half comeback against Roma on Tuesday.
After that match, the 32-year-old said “a lot of lies” had been published about his relationship with Carrick. Fernandes also dismissed suggestions that the two had held “clear-the-air talks”, although club sources had confirmed that discussions took place.
Carrick said Fernandes’ conduct on the pitch provided the clearest indication of his current mindset.
“I think his actions, the way he’s played and how he dealt with even retaking the penalty and frame of mind he was in for that, tells [you] everything,” said Carrick.
“Bruno’s as good as ever.”
The manager declined to reveal what had been discussed with Fernandes after the Bournemouth defeat, saying conversations were a normal part of daily life at Carrington.
“There are always conversations, and bits going on,” he said. “It’s acknowledging when things are going well and what we need to improve on.
“Sometimes it’s individually, sometimes it’s [a] group. What’s actually said in that discussion, I’ll keep that to myself, but it’s pretty clear we’ve moved in a good direction.
“Bruno’s commitment is undoubted for me in terms of what he brings to this team and this club.”
Manchester United’s decision-makers are expected to review the managerial situation after Sunday’s Premier League meeting with Aston Villa at Old Trafford.
Carrick admits he does not know what the future will bring, but he will be conscious that the victory against Ipswich in August is the club’s only win in nine matches. The result against Roma now needs to mark the beginning of a recovery.
“While we can be really pleased with elements of the performance on Tuesday night, we must absolutely know there is so much more to come from our team,” Carrick wrote in Manchester United’s matchday programme.
“We must be ready to show that we can back up Tuesday’s victory and begin to create the momentum to give ourselves something to build on after the international break.”
The seriousness of Manchester United’s position was underlined by Nottingham Forest’s 3-1 win over Manchester City.
That result means Carrick’s side will spend the international break in the relegation zone unless they beat Aston Villa.
