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’\u00c9quipe. 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.<\/p>\n
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: \u201cThat’s on the manager and on the staff to see it, it’s not on me,\u201d he told Sky Sports. Carrick sent the ball back to his players’ legs: \u201cWhatever tactics you play, if you don’t run back, you ain’t going to win.\u201d Frank Leboeuf, a pundit for ESPN, cut harsher on RMC Sport: \u201cYes, he is a great player, but he should start by running and stop talking.\u201d<\/p>\n
At his press conference on Friday, Carrick had not ruled out leaving his captain out: \u201cThe 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,\u201d 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 \u201cdoing everything\u201d to support his family. Asked about a divided dressing room, the coach cut it short: \u201cNo, it’s not.\u201d<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n