According to a report by Metro on Thursday, October 22, 2026, Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes has raised concerns about the club’s current direction, admitting that winning trophies has become increasingly difficult following their disappointing 4-0 Champions League defeat to Como.

Speaking to Sky Sport Italy after Wednesday’s match, Fernandes discussed the challenges facing United. Metro reported that the result represented the club’s heaviest defeat in the competition since their 4-0 loss to Barcelona in November 1994.

The defeat has increased pressure on manager Michael Carrick, with United reportedly going seven games without a win across all competitions and managing only two victories throughout the season.

Fernandes believes the club must shift its attention away from past achievements and concentrate on building a stronger future. The Portuguese midfielder stressed the need for everyone at Old Trafford to acknowledge the team’s current situation and make the necessary changes to improve results.

“We’re not in the past and we need to look at the future,” Fernandes said.

The United captain added that the club’s historic success should not distract from the problems confronting the present squad.

“I think at this club, we focus too much on looking at what the club was in the past, what the club did in the past, but we are no longer the same,” the captain explained.

Fernandes insisted that everyone at Manchester United must accept that circumstances have changed and recognise the need for a different approach if the club is to regain its competitiveness.

The midfielder also acknowledged the pressure that comes with representing a club with a long history of winning major trophies, admitting that meeting those expectations has become more difficult in recent years.

“Unfortunately for us, as a group of players, every time you come to this club you think about winning trophies and winning games, and being in the highest level,” he said.

“But unfortunately it’s been very difficult at this club in the last few years. That’s the situation.”

Meanwhile, Carrick offered a different view when asked whether he agreed with his captain’s assessment of Manchester United’s current position. The manager disagreed with Fernandes but admitted that the team remains far from where it wants to be.

“No, I don’t. But right now it’s a long way from that,” Carrick told Sky Sport Italy.

The United manager also conceded that the team’s performances at the start of the season have been below expectations, stressing that significant improvement is needed.

“But the start of this season needs to be so much better, so much better,” he added.

Carrick was also asked about his future following the heavy defeat but admitted that he could not predict what would happen next. Instead, he emphasised the importance of the club’s history and traditions.

"The important thing is the club, the history, the tradition and the values we represent and today we didn’t live up to that,” he said.

The contrasting comments from Fernandes and Carrick underline the growing pressure at Manchester United as the club struggles to recover from a disappointing start to the campaign. With results continuing to fall short of expectations, the team faces increasing demands to improve its performances and show clear progress on the pitch.