Manchester United head coach Michael Carrick showed he was unafraid to make big calls, snubbing Bruno Fernandes against Bournemouth.

It was one thing to leave Bruno Fernandes out of the Manchester United starting line-up. Many of us suspected this would be the case after the captain called out the team’s tactics against Como.

Fernandes had not been playing well anyway to justify his place in the team.

But what really took everybody aback was the fact Fernandes did not even come off the bench for a single minute.

Carrick was asked after the game about his decision not to bring Fernandes on.

He told club media: “There are always times in games when you’re trying to make decisions to change the course of play and make a difference.

“Those are the decisions that we made today.”

It was a blunt response, with Carrick unwilling to go into any real detail about Fernandes specifically, simply indicating that he stood by his decision.

Carrick’s substitutions

Michael Carrick made four substitutions in Manchester United’s 3-0 loss.

Matheus Cunha was brought on at half-time, preferred to Fernandes in place of Tielemans. Lisandro Martinez came on later for a defensive change, with Joshua Zirkzee and Shea Lacey both brought on after Bournemouth scored their third goal.

Carrick may have actually done Fernandes a favour.

United fans were left infuriated by Fernandes’ comments in midweek, and could have given the midfielder a brutal reception.

Fernandes was spared this indignity, even if he would have earned the very mixed reception.