According to a report by Metro on Tuesday, October 27, 2026, former Manchester United midfielder Paul Scholes has criticised club captain Bruno Fernandes for publicly questioning the team’s tactical approach, warning that his comments could damage his relationship with managers and coaching staff.

Scholes voiced his concerns after Manchester United suffered a disappointing 4-1 Champions League defeat to Como in Italy. The former England international believes Fernandes should have handled his frustrations privately rather than openly challenging the team’s tactical decisions, particularly given his position as captain.

Reacting to the controversy, Scholes questioned whether other managers would be comfortable appointing Fernandes as captain in the future. He reportedly considered the midfielder’s remarks unacceptable and suggested that the incident could negatively affect how he is perceived by other clubs and coaching staff.

Scholes also expressed doubts about Fernandes’ ability to earn the trust of future managers after publicly questioning his team’s approach. He suggested that the Portuguese international might eventually consider leaving European football, with Saudi Arabia emerging as a possible destination if his situation at Manchester United deteriorates.

Fernandes reportedly expressed dissatisfaction with United’s tactics against Como, particularly the team’s failure to apply more aggressive pressure on individual opponents. His remarks generated further discussion about his relationship with Michael Carrick and the coaching staff, especially as the club continues to struggle for consistent performances.

The controversy intensified when Fernandes was excluded from Manchester United’s starting line-up for Sunday’s Premier League encounter against Bournemouth. Despite being available on the substitutes’ bench, the captain did not feature throughout the match as United endured another disappointing afternoon at Old Trafford, losing 3-0.

His omission raised questions about his position within the squad and whether disagreements over tactics had influenced the manager’s selection. However, no confirmed evidence has established that Fernandes was dropped specifically because of his public comments.

Scholes’ criticism has renewed the debate about the responsibilities of a football captain, particularly during difficult periods. While players may disagree with tactical decisions, captains are generally expected to maintain constructive communication with their managers and help preserve unity within the dressing room.

Manchester United’s poor form has also increased pressure on Carrick, with the team reportedly recording eight consecutive matches without a victory across all competitions. Their upcoming Premier League meeting with Chelsea on Saturday presents another important opportunity to improve results.

Fernandes will be hoping to move beyond the controversy and contribute to United’s recovery. Nevertheless, questions surrounding his leadership, public criticism and relationship with the coaching staff are likely to remain a major talking point as the club attempts to regain its competitive form.