A section of Manchester United’s fanbase has been left livid by the six words club captain Bruno Fernandes said to the media after their 1-1 draw against Leeds United on Sunday afternoon.

The Red Devils continue to struggle under Michael Carrick in his first full season in what has widely been described as football’s most stressful job. After taking the lead at Elland Road through Bryan Mbeumo, they were yet again unable to hold on to all three points, despite showing more spirit and determination than in previous matches.

The stalemate at their rivals’ ground leaves United winless in their last six matches, while their first 10 fixtures across all competitions this season have yielded just two wins - against FK Sabah in the Champions League and newly promoted Ipswich Town, whom they beat 5-2 in the Premier League.

One criticism Roy Keane has levelled at United during that run is that the leadership group appears far too passive in its attempts to wrestle back control of a club that was accustomed to winning silverware little more than a decade ago. There may be trouble brewing behind the scenes, too, with Fernandes’ latest comments hinting that all is not well at Old Trafford, on and off the pitch.

Just days after Lisandro Martinez sparked controversy by hitting out at the club's hierarchy following United's 2-0 defeat at Atletico Madrid, Fernandes has appeared to reveal the players are being encouraged not to speak to the media.

Martinez criticised the club’s hierarchy and hit out at the recruitment over the summer, suggesting the squad was not good enough to seriously compete in the Premier League and Champions League. Walking past several journalists after the match this weekend, Fernandes replied to questioning with (watch below):

“I can’t speak, I’m not allowed.”

According to a report from The Sun, Matheus Cunha also delivered the same message to a Brazilian reporter. It is not unusual for players to avoid talking to reporters in the mixed zone, but it appears that both players were making it clear that he couldn’t even if they wanted to.

Martinez was fined for his pointed remarks in midweek, and he quickly apologised, citing a positive conversation he had with those in charge about the direction of the club.

United's Issues Extend Far Beyond Carrick's Lineup and Tactics

The point Martinez was trying to make on Wednesday night - before perhaps going a step too far - was that Michael Carrick cannot be fully blamed for the problems United keep facing.

It's no coincidence that no manager in the post-Sir Alex Ferguson era (there's been 11) has survived more than two full seasons at Old Trafford, with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's spell between 2018 and 2021 making him the club's longest-serving manager during that period.

Plenty of fans fear that the behind-the-scenes issues are cropping up again this term, despite having seemingly disappeared towards the end of last campaign. "My blood is boiling," one X user reacted to Fernandes' comment with, as a second added: "f****** criminal."

A third remarked: "Not a good look," as a fourth wrote: "I don’t think anything shows just how broken this club is more than this clip here." Meanwhile, a ffith concluded: "Our club is actually a dictatorship."