Michael Carrick has made clear that Bruno Fernandes will keep the armband despite the disagreement that led to the midfielder being dropped against Bournemouth.
Fernandes was an unused substitute in Manchester United’s 3-0 defeat at Old Trafford on Sunday after criticising Carrick’s tactics following the loss to Como.
The pair have since held talks to clear the air, and the United manager is ready to restore the Portugal international to the team for Saturday’s trip to Chelsea.
Harry Maguire wore the armband against Bournemouth but will not retain it. Carrick dismissed the suggestion that Fernandes could lose the captaincy and spoke warmly about his importance to the club.
“There is no decision to be made on [the captaincy],” he said. “It will be Bruno. Listen, we’re clear with the situation of the team and as a football club at the moment. He’s an important player for this group. He has been and he will be.
“Between us, we’ve got to make a difference and we’ve got to push things in a good direction. He’s fully committed to this football club, he’s fully committed to making things better. It doesn’t change for me. He’s the one that’s kind of led the team so well for many a game and many a year, and he’ll continue to do that.”
The decision comes at a difficult time for Carrick, whose position was discussed by United’s hierarchy earlier this week after an eight-game winless run. The club have gone more than two months without a Premier League victory and are enduring their worst start to a league season since 1986.
There has been growing interest in possible replacements, with Newcastle manager Eddie Howe and Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann among the names linked with the job. Carrick has nevertheless been given another opportunity to improve results and insisted he was not looking for assurances about his future.
“I don’t need any assurances from anyone,” he said. “I totally get the position, I understand the job, I understand the responsibilities, I understand what comes with that.”
Asked whether he was surprised to remain in charge, Carrick replied: “No, I am here to do my job. I am here to do the best for the team, and I am desperate to make us better and improve things, so I’m not surprised, no.”
The former Middlesbrough manager also addressed the reaction of United supporters after the Bournemouth defeat. Carrick was cheered as he left the pitch, but the players were booed by sections of the Old Trafford crowd.
He said he understood the frustration and was more concerned with what supporters were seeing from the team than outside criticism.
“I care about what the supporters think,” Carrick said. “I care about what it feels like in the stadium, and them travelling for games, to come and see us and support us.
“I care about what we give them, and what we offer them, and what they see. I genuinely don’t take any notice of anything else. I know this job, I know what it brings, I know what we need to do really to be better.”
United will be without Benjamin Sesko for an extended period after the striker suffered a shin injury. He is expected to miss the remainder of the year, although Carrick said the club were still assessing how long his recovery would take.
“Ben looks like he’s going to be out for a period of time,” he said. “We’re still not clear of exactly how long, but it’s going to be for a longer period of time.”
