Manchester United: Carrick drops Fernandes and loses 3-0 to Bournemouth

At Old Trafford on Sunday, Bruno Fernandes did not touch a ball. Michael Carrick left him out of the starting eleven, then out of the game altogether, three days after his public criticism of the game plan. Bournemouth won 3-0 through Rayan, Marcus Tavernier and Evanilson, the second goal born of a slip by Leny Yoro, according to L’Équipe. A winless run that stood at seven games after Como on Wednesday now counts eight: the pressure on the manager’s job, ESPN writes, has never been stronger.

What Fernandes aimed at, what Carrick sent back

It all started with that 4-1 Champions League defeat in Como on Wednesday. At the final whistle the captain pointed at the staff’s choice not to press man to man: “That’s on the manager and on the staff to see it, it’s not on me,” he told Sky Sports. Carrick sent the ball back to his players’ legs: “Whatever tactics you play, if you don’t run back, you ain’t going to win.” Frank Leboeuf, a pundit for ESPN, cut harsher on RMC Sport: “Yes, he is a great player, but he should start by running and stop talking.”

The dropping had been taking shape since Friday

At his press conference on Friday, Carrick had not ruled out leaving his captain out: “The most important thing for me is the team, the squad and dynamics in the squad. I’ll always do what is best for the football club,” he told the BBC. According to club sources, Fernandes would keep the armband and face no fine; his Cheshire home had been burgled on Wednesday evening, and the club said it was “doing everything” to support his family. Asked about a divided dressing room, the coach cut it short: “No, it’s not.”

Without their captain, United chased the game

Sunday answered in the scoreline: without Fernandes, United did not score. Before the match, The Guardian reported that Carrick’s future could be discussed by Jason Wilcox, the director of football, Omar Berrada, the chief executive, and Jim Ratcliffe, the co-owner. The 0-3 pushed none of that back. The calendar gives him no breathing room: Chelsea host Manchester United on Saturday.

For the bettor, the market had made its mind up before everyone else: United out to 2.45 with 1xbet (1.90 at open), Bournemouth in to 3.09 (4.07). Our match preview, Bournemouth or the draw at 1.848 for a 1.25-unit stake, won (+$106); at the close, the same selection traded at 1.62. 18+. Only bet what you can afford to lose.