Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes has been hammered for his conduct

Former Premier League boss Tony Pulis has hammered Bruno Fernandes for his comments following Manchester United's defeat to Como in the Champions League. The Portuguese playmaker took aim at Michael Carrick's tactics following the thrashing in northern Italy, and has since been dropped to the bench for United's clash with Bournemouth.

With Carrick already under pressure, Pulis felt Fernandes gave his head coach another issue he had to address ahead of the clash with the Cherries. Speaking to BBC Sport, Pulis said: "You can add that to the list of Michael's issues right now, but he has an even bigger problem in how he deals with his captain Bruno Fernandes' comments after United were humbled by Como in the Champions League on Wednesday.

"Watching Michael in his post-match press conference in Italy was really difficult for me. I've managed games where my team has been beaten while having a right go, but having to see a manager man up to his side after a performance that, for me, questioned their attitude to compete or even run around and try, was heart-wrenching.

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"Listening to the way his captain spoke, after his own example typified his team's reluctance to do the above, it again showed me how difficult it must be at that club at the moment.

"Michael's tactics are there to be followed, yet to do that away to Como on a very wet and windy miserable night, you need men and not boys.

"Fernandes seemed to be enjoying his relationship with Carrick last season, when United were flying up the table, but they have now levelled off both as a team and individuals in the way I described in this column.

"Proper captains, and I was lucky to work with some top guys, come to the fore when the team and club needs them most.

"I've always judged leaders by people who follow them when things are going wrong. Unfortunately, many members of that team did follow their captain's example, but in a totally unprofessional way."

Fernandes was one of four changes from the defeat to Como in the Champions League, with Matheus Cunha, Matthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui all benched, with Amad, Ayden Heaven, Carlos Baleba and Leny Yoro coming in.

Explaining his decision to drop Fernandes for the clash with Bournemouth, Carrick said: "Picking the team, starting XI when you've got options to choose is always a difficult decision.

"We've got to make what we feel is the right one for today, for the team to try and get the performance that we want."

When asked if the comments post-match after the defeat to Como played a part, Carrick said: "Pure football, pure football reasons."