Manchester United confirmed that Bruno Fernandes will keep his role as club captain, with head coach Michael Carrick stating that the Portuguese midfielder remains “fully committed” to the Red Devils. The decision comes after a turbulent week that saw Carrick dropped Fernandes to the bench for the 3‑0 home loss to Bournemouth and the club’s 4‑1 defeat to Como in the Champions League, where the team’s tactics were questioned by the press.
Carrick, who has been in charge since the end of last season, said there was “no decision to be made” about Fernandes’ captaincy. “He is an important player for this group. He has been and he will be,” he told reporters at the Carrington training ground. Carrick added that Fernandes’ commitment to the club and to improving the team’s performance was unquestionable. “There are absolutely no issues with that,” he said, emphasizing that the captain’s leadership would continue regardless of recent results.
The club’s recent form has been a concern, with United going eight games without a win as they head into a trip to Chelsea. The loss to Bournemouth left Carrick’s future in doubt, but the 45‑year‑old was given a chance to reverse the team’s fortunes before the next match against Roma in the Champions League and the Premier League fixture against Aston Villa on 8 November. Carrick reiterated that he does not need assurances about his position, stating that he understands the responsibilities of the role and is focused on improving the squad.
Fernandes, who joined United in January 2020, has been a key figure in the midfield and has led the team in numerous matches over the past years. His leadership was highlighted during the clear‑the‑air talks held at the training ground, where both he and Carrick discussed the way forward for the club. While it remains to be seen whether Fernandes will start in the upcoming games, the club’s message is that his captaincy will remain intact.
United’s management, including the Glazer family, minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe, chief executive Omar Berrada, and director of football Jason Wilcox, have all been involved in discussions about the club’s direction. With Carrick’s future now confirmed, the team will look to regroup and aim for a turnaround in the coming matches, hoping to break their winless streak and restore confidence among supporters.