Bruno Fernandes has admitted Michael Carrick was right to drop him after his criticism of Manchester United’s tactics, as the midfielder helped his team end a nine-game winless run with a dramatic comeback against Roma.
Fernandes scored a twice-taken penalty as United recovered from two goals down to win 3-2 at Old Trafford. Matheus Cunha scored twice, including the winner, to give Carrick his first victory in 10 matches and ease the pressure on the manager.
The United captain was left on the bench for the defeat against Bournemouth after questioning Carrick’s tactics following a 4-1 loss to Como in the Champions League. Fernandes said he had no problem with the manager’s decision.
“The manager took a decision of making myself on the bench because I wasn’t performing. And that’s fair,” he said. “Everyone felt like that was a punishment for the words that I had [after Como]. And if it was, it was right.
“The manager makes the decisions. I have to accept it. I have to go forward with that. It doesn’t change the belief I have in the manager, the staff and every player at this club. And it doesn’t change my aim to win every game that I have ahead of me.”
Fernandes also dismissed suggestions that the players had been motivated by a desire to keep Carrick in his job. United had been at risk of recording their longest winless run in a single season since March 1978 before their victory against Roma.
“We don’t need to save anyone’s job,” he said. “The club needed that win. The players needed that win. It is something we needed as a group of players and staff. We have been working so hard to get out of this situation together.”
The result came amid protests against United’s ownership at Old Trafford, but Carrick praised the atmosphere and his players’ response after the break.
“I don’t like to keep talking to the lads about what this place can do in history and what’s gone before them too much, but it’s there,” he said.
“This place does magical things, it’s done it before and it’ll do it over and over again at some point in the future. There’s just something in this place that when we do have these types of night, we do it the hard way.”
Carrick also singled out the 19-year-old Shea Lacey, who came off the bench to set up Cunha’s winning goal in his 10th senior appearance.
“We love him to bits,” the manager said. “He’s a great young man, he’s desperate to do well, he’s got great ability. He’s got that little glint in his eye, he plays with a bit of mischief if you like.”
