Bruno Fernandes has remained a cornerstone of what Manchester United is about since arriving at the club in 2020.

United’s current difficulties have seen each area of the club put under question, however, as supporters and pundits try to diagnose the club’s problems.

Now, in a huge decision, Michael Carrick has taken the decision to leave Fernandes out of the starting eleven for today’s game against Bournemouth at Old Trafford.

That is according to journalist Laurie Whitwell, reporting for The Athletic.

The midfielder will instead be named on the bench, according to the journalist, but it remains unclear who will take his starting place.

Fernandes was critical of Michael Carrick’s tactical choices on Tuesday evening, after defeat to Como in the Champions League.

“It’s a decision from the staff to not press man to man and sometimes leave space behind and try to get the ball, but sometimes when you give too much the ball to these teams they get confidence,” the Portuguese international said.

The decision to leave Fernandes out of the starting eleven for today’s game comes at a crucial time for manager Michael Carrick.

One win in seven Premier League games has placed immense amounts of pressure on the manager, with the club reportedly beginning their search for his replacement earlier this week.

Fabrizio Romano has since stated that the club are willing to give Carrick time, and that they will evaluate him up until the November international break, but also said that the coming weeks were “absolutely crucial”.

Dropping Bruno Fernandes from his starting eleven is a huge choice from Michael Carrick, and may be one that is heavily criticized should United lose today.

Time will tell whether the manager’s decision is correct or not. For now, Manchester United supporters are left to contemplate what this choice means, both for Fernandes and the rest of the squad in general.