Manchester United’s manager Michael Carrick and captain Bruno Fernandes have reportedly settled their differences ahead of the club’s trip to Chelsea. The two spoke privately at the club’s training ground on Tuesday, with the aim of clearing the air after a series of tense moments that saw Fernandes dropped from the starting XI for Sunday’s 3‑0 loss to Bournemouth.
Fernandes, who was an unused substitute in the defeat, had been left on the bench following his criticism of Carrick’s tactics after the 4‑1 Champions League loss to Como. Sources told BBC Sport that the conversation was meant to address the growing friction between the player and manager. The meeting came at a crucial time, as United are preparing for a Saturday match at Stamford Bridge, where Fernandes could be reinstated in the starting lineup.
Carrick, who was widely tipped for dismissal after the Bournemouth game, will still take charge of the Premier League fixture. The club’s board has decided to give the 45‑year‑old a chance to reverse the team’s fortunes, even though United sit 16th in the league table. The decision was backed by senior figures who believe that the squad’s poor form is a shared responsibility, with players and staff all wanting to improve.
In other news, midfielder Kobbie Mainoo returned to training on Wednesday after a fortnight out with injury, providing a boost to the squad’s depth. United’s record this season stands at one win in eight Premier League matches, a figure the board does not attribute solely to Carrick’s management. A player told BBC Sport that “the feeling is that we all want to put it right. Players, staff, everyone.”
The club has also shortlisted potential replacements for Carrick, naming former Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe and ex‑Germany and Bayern Munich coach Julian Nagelsmann. An appointment of Howe would trigger a significant compensation claim from Newcastle, whereas Nagelsmann is a free agent. The board’s deliberations suggest that the decision to keep Carrick in charge is “prolonging the inevitable,” according to insiders. United’s next challenge will be to secure a result against Chelsea, with the hope that a restored relationship between manager and captain will translate into better performances on the pitch.