According to a report by Metro on Sunday, October 25, 2026, Jamie Carragher has claimed that Michael Carrick deliberately left Bruno Fernandes on the bench throughout Manchester United's 3-0 defeat to Bournemouth to embarrass the club captain in front of supporters.

Fernandes watched from the sidelines as Manchester United suffered another disappointing result at Old Trafford, with Carrick opting against introducing the Portuguese midfielder despite making several substitutions during the Premier League encounter.

The decision came days after Fernandes reportedly criticised Carrick and his coaching staff following Manchester United's 4-1 defeat to Como. The midfielder's absence from the starting lineup subsequently attracted attention, particularly given his importance to the team.

Carrick maintained before the Bournemouth match that Fernandes had been dropped for footballing reasons. However, former Liverpool defender Carragher questioned that explanation after the manager chose not to introduce the captain, even as Manchester United struggled to turn the game around.

Speaking on Sky Sports, Carragher suggested that Carrick had never intended to bring Fernandes onto the pitch and believed the decision was designed to make the midfielder uncomfortable in front of the home supporters.

The former England international argued that the manager's handling of the situation could create further tension within the dressing room, particularly with Manchester United continuing to struggle for results.

When asked why Fernandes was not introduced despite substitutions involving Joshua Zirkzee, Matheus Cunha, Shea Lacey and Lisandro Martinez, Carrick explained that his decisions were intended to change the course of the match.

The Manchester United manager confirmed that Fernandes was fit and available for selection but maintained that he had chosen the players he believed were best suited to the situation. However, his team failed to produce the desired response and suffered another damaging defeat.

Carragher also expressed doubts about Carrick's future, suggesting that the situation had become increasingly difficult for the manager to manage.

Former Manchester United defender Gary Neville shared similar concerns, arguing that the club's decision to appoint Carrick permanently could prove problematic. Neville noted that the situation had deteriorated much faster than he anticipated, leaving the club facing significant challenges.

Manchester United have won just one of their eight Premier League matches this season and sit 16th in the table. Their recent struggles have intensified scrutiny of Carrick's leadership, with pressure mounting after the Bournemouth defeat.

Asked about his future, Carrick acknowledged the uncertainty surrounding his position, insisting that he would continue to prioritise the club's interests while waiting to see what happens next.