Manchester United could part ways with Michael Carrick in the coming days or weeks if he is unable to reverse fortunes, following a dismal start to the new season

Paul Scholes believes Bruno Fernandes is "finished" at Manchester United as a result of his criticism of Michael Carrick following their defeat to Como. The Reds were hammered 4-1 at the hands of the Italian side in the Champions League last week before a woeful 3-0 loss to Bournemouth at the weekend.

Fernandes found himself subbed off midway through the Como game, with Joshua Zirkzee deployed in his place as Carrick looked for a cutting edge in attack. The Portuguese captain reacted to that by shaking his head in frustration as he walked around the Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia and returned to his dugout.

In the aftermath, Fernandes also publicly picked problems with his head coach's tactics, as he told the media: "It's a decision from the staff to not press man-to-man and sometimes leave a little space in behind and try to get the ball in the first moment, to wait for them, to give them the ball.

"But sometimes when you give too much the ball to these teams they get confident, they have so many bodies behind the ball that make you run a lot, make people get frustrated, and then obviously when you recover the ball the legs are, and the brain, much more difficult to make it work."

Carrick was quick to respond to those comments in his post-match press conference, explaining that his system doesn't work unless his players run. Following his comments, Fernandes found himself benched for Sunday's 3-0 loss to Bournemouth at Old Trafford.

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And now, club legend Scholes believes that it's the beginning of the end for the Portuguese playmaker. Speaking on the Good, the Bad and the Football, the 51-year-old said: "What Bruno Fernandes said last week, I think that’s unforgivable.

"How can Bruno Fernandes be trusted to be captain of any team he ever goes to now? I think he probably needs to get away from European football and just go to Saudi, just get out the way. I don’t think any manager, any member of staff can trust him after that."

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Nicky Butt, meanwhile, claimed that Fernandes has tarnished his legacy with the club as a result of the dispute. He said: "We sing his praises for his abilities.

"He’s been the only player for the last 12, 13 years that’s gone, 'I know what it means to play for this football club and I’m good enough to play football and I’m going to carry it on my shoulders and I’m going to lead it. I’m going to score goals. I’m going to create. I’m not leaving. I’m staying. I’m fighting the fight.' And he’s killed himself in one interview. Stupid."

The Athletic, however, claim that Carrick and Fernandes are expected to 'draw a line under it', with the United skipper in contention to feature against Chelsea after being dropped last weekend.

It comes as Carrick has limited time to prove his own worth at Manchester United after club chiefs decided he'd stay in charge for the trip to Chelsea. The club have endured a torrid start to the season and sit 16th in the Premier League standings, having won just one of their opening eight games in the competition.

United have also failed to win any of their last eight across all competitions, with Carrick now battling to save his job. Saturday's 12.30pm kick-off with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge could turn out to be the straw that breaks the camel's back, unless the 45-year-old can lead the team to a positive result and start to turn their fortunes around.