Bruno Fernandes Breaks Silence On Alleged Rift With Michael Carrick: ‘A Lot Of Lies’

Last Updated:November 04, 2026, 5:34 PM IST

Bruno Fernandes denied any fallout with Manchester United manager Michael Carrick after a 3-2 Champions League comeback win over AS Roma.

Michael Carrick (left) and Bruno Fernandes (Reuters Photo)

Bruno Fernandes has refuted suggestions of a fallout with Manchester United manager Michael Carrick, insisting that his relationship with the head coach remains intact despite being dropped to the bench following his public criticism of the latter’s tactics.

Fernandes spoke after Manchester United produced a remarkable second-half comeback to beat AS Roma 3-2 in a Champions League clash at Old Trafford on Tuesday. Trailing 0-2 at half-time, the Red Devils responded through Fernandes’ penalty and a late brace from Matheus Cunha to secure their first victory in 10 matches across all competitions.

The result offered some much-needed relief for Carrick, whose position had come under increasing scrutiny following United’s disappointing run of results.

However, Fernandes was quick to reject the suggestion that it’s up to the players to save their coach’s job.

“We don’t need to save anyone’s job,” the United captain told Amazon Prime after the match before addressing his relationship with Carrick.

“It’s been tough. There’s been a lot of speculation in the media, a lot of lies around many things that have happened in this club. Between me and the manager, that we had to clear the air. Nothing like that happened,” Fernandes said.

The Portugal international also touched upon his omission from the starting line-up in the aftermath of his criticism of Carrick’s tactical approach during United’s 1-4 defeat to Como which widely interpreted as a disciplinary measure.

“The manager took a decision of putting myself on the bench because I wasn’t performing at that level. Everyone felt that it was a punishment for the words that I had. If it was, it was right. The manager is the one who makes the decisions. I have to accept them, I have to go forward with that,” Fernandes said.

Meanwhile, Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher has offered a broader assessment of the problems that have plagued United since the departure of Sir Alex Ferguson in 2013.

Speaking on CBS Sports, Carragher wondered why a club of United’s stature has repeatedly struggled to appoint managers capable of restoring its former dominance.

He suggested that the challenges at Old Trafford extended beyond the qualities of individual managers, with the club’s enormous expectations and history making the managerial position particularly difficult.

“It’s an absolute giant of a club, not just in English football but in world football – and nobody seems to be able to get it right. Whether it’s the pressure, the expectancy, the style of football, I don’t know what it is because no other club is like it. And it’s not just a now problem. It’s no coincidence that before Ferguson it was a struggle, and as soon as he left that club it continued to be a real struggle,” Carragher said.

Drawing comparisons with European heavyweights Bayern Munich, Real Madrid, Barcelona and Liverpool, the former defender highlighted how those clubs had managed to enjoy success under different managerial regimes, something United have struggled to replicate.

Carragher felt United might need more than just another accomplished football manager to restore their standing among Europe’s elite.

“It can’t just be that a manager is going to get them back to the top; you almost feel this manager is going to have to be a legendary figure, not just a football guy. A figurehead, a force of personality.”

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What did Bruno Fernandes say about his alleged rift with Manchester United manager Michael Carrick?

Bruno Fernandes dismissed rumors of a fallout with Michael Carrick as a lot of lies, confirming that their relationship remains intact. He explained that his recent benching was simply a managerial decision made because he was not performing at his required level.

How did Manchester United perform against AS Roma in the Champions League clash at Old Trafford?

Manchester United produced a remarkable second-half comeback to beat AS Roma 3-2 after trailing 0-2 at half-time. The victory came courtesy of a penalty from Bruno Fernandes and a late brace by Matheus Cunha.

What did Jamie Carragher say about the ongoing managerial struggles at Manchester United?

Jamie Carragher noted that Manchester United’s struggles to find a dominant manager have persisted since Sir Alex Ferguson’s departure in 2013 and even predated him. He suggested the club’s immense expectations and pressure mean they may need a legendary figure or force of personality rather than just an accomplished football manager.

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Feroz KhanPrincipal Correspondent

Feroz Khan has been covering sports for over 12 years now and is currently working with Network18 as Principal Correspondent. He embarked on his journey in 2011 and has since acquired vast experience …Read More

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