Bruno Fernandes has accused media outlets of publishing false claims about his relationship with Manchester United manager Michael Carrick, speaking for the first time about the controversy sparked by his public criticism of the team’s approach.
The United captain spoke to Amazon Prime, in comments reported by the BBC, after the European victory over Roma offered some relief following a run of results that had piled pressure on the coaching staff.
United overturned a two-goal deficit to win 3–2 at Old Trafford, with Fernandes launching the comeback through a 58th-minute penalty. The victory ended a nine-match winless run.
“A lot of lies have been published about things that happened between me and the manager,” Fernandes said of the reports surrounding his relationship with Carrick.
The controversy began after United’s 4–1 defeat to Como, when the Portuguese midfielder criticised the team’s tactical instructions. He subsequently remained an unused substitute during the 3–0 loss to Bournemouth.
Fernandes returned to the starting line-up against Chelsea in the Premier League and then featured against Roma. However, the European victory prompted fresh questions about Carrick’s future and whether the result would keep him in the job.
Asked whether the win had saved his manager’s position, Fernandes replied: “We don’t need to save anyone’s job.”
United sit 17th in the Premier League, having won just once in their opening nine matches. That represents a sharp decline from the end of last season, when Carrick won 12 of his 17 games, guided the club back into the Champions League and earned a two-year contract.
In Europe, the Roma result was United’s second victory in four league-phase matches, lifting them to 17th and giving the coaching staff an opportunity to build some momentum. The club’s hierarchy had opted to retain Carrick following the Bournemouth defeat.
