Manchester United head coach Michael Carrick has confirmed that Bruno Fernandes will remain the club’s captain, insisting that the Portuguese midfielder is fully committed to the club despite recent tensions over the team’s performances.

Fernandes was dropped to the bench for United’s 3-0 home defeat by Bournemouth on Sunday after reportedly questioning Carrick’s tactics following a 4-1 Champions League loss to Como.

However, the pair held clear-the-air talks at the club’s Carrington training ground on Tuesday in an effort to resolve their differences and move forward.

As reported by BBC Sport on Thursday, speaking ahead of United’s Premier League trip to Chelsea on Saturday, Carrick dismissed any suggestion that Fernandes could lose the captaincy.

“He’s an important player for this group. He has been and he will be,” Carrick said.

“He’s fully committed to this football club; he’s fully committed to making things better. There are absolutely no issues with that,” he added.

The United boss added that his decision to leave Fernandes out of the starting line-up against Bournemouth was based solely on what he felt was best for that particular game.

“It’s the one that’s led the team so well for many a game and many a year, and he’ll continue to do that. There are absolutely no issues with that,” he added.

Meanwhile, Carrick has been given another opportunity to turn United’s fortunes around following a disappointing run of results that has left his position under scrutiny.

The Red Devils have gone eight games without a win, their worst sequence since the 2015-16 season, and are at risk of matching a run of nine consecutive winless matches not seen since the 1988-89 campaign.

Despite the uncertainty surrounding his future, Carrick insisted that he did not need assurances from the club’s hierarchy.

“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,” he added.

Carrick also denied being surprised that he remained in charge, stressing that his focus was on improving the team’s performances.

“I’m here to do my job. I’m here to do the best for the team, and I’m desperate to make us better and improve things,” he said.

United will now turn their attention to Saturday’s meeting with Chelsea as Carrick looks to guide the team back to winning ways, with Fernandes’ role as captain remaining unchanged.

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