Michael Carrick has answered criticism from Bruno Fernandes after Manchester United's Champions League defeat away to Como, according to ESPN. The United captain publicly questioned the coaching staff's tactics following the loss, with BBC and Al Jazeera both reporting that Fernandes rounded on his manager's approach. Carrick, ESPN reports, hit back at the criticism rather than accepting it.
Sky Sports reports that Carrick also questioned his players after the result. The exchange between manager and captain marks a public breakdown in relations at the club, with Fernandes' comments directed at the coaches rather than the squad.
The match itself was a landmark occasion for Como. BBC reported that Cesc Fabregas and the Italian side enjoyed a historic tie against Manchester United in the Champions League. For United, the night ended in what BBC described as a humiliation in Como.
The reports do not include the specific comments made by either man, and no details of the scoreline were provided in the material available. What is clear is that a captain has openly challenged his manager's decisions and the manager has chosen to respond publicly rather than smooth the matter over privately.
United's next fixtures and any internal response from the club will be the focus in the coming days, with attention on whether Carrick and Fernandes can settle their differences.