Michael Carrick insisted Bruno Fernandes remains "committed" to the cause at Manchester United and will continue as the club's captain against Chelsea this weekend. 

Fernandes was named on the bench for a Premier League game for United for only the sixth time last Sunday, with the Red Devils going down 3-0 at home to Bournemouth. 

It was the first time he had not started a match under Carrick, while it was the second time he was an unused substitute while at United, along with May 2025 against Brentford. 

The 32-year-old was dropped from United's starting line-up after questioning the tactics deployed by Carrick during a 4-1 defeat to Champions League debutants Como.

United are without a win in their last eight matches across all competitions (D3 L5), last having a longer winless run between October and November 1988 (nine).

Carrick will remain in charge of United's trip to Stamford Bridge to face Chelsea, with Fernandes set to return to the starting line-up having held talks with the Red Devils boss during the week. 

"It was a decision about what we felt about the game, that's it. Bruno's fully committed to this football club, absolutely no issues with that," Carrick told reporters.

"We move forward, we make decisions as we go, and we're looking forward to the game on Saturday now."

Working towards Chelsea (A) https://t.co/WsqDgVVhXY

— Manchester United (@ManUtd) October 29, 2026

After their defeat to Bournemouth, Carrick was applauded off by the United fans, who quickly turned to jeers aimed towards the players and the club's hierarchy at full-time.

Reports have suggested that Carrick has been given time to try and turn things around, though Julian Nagelsmann, Antonio Conte and Eddie Howe have been linked with replacing him.

"I don't need any assurances from anyone. I totally get the position," Carrick added on his position.

"I understand the job, I understand the responsibilities, I understand what comes with that, so I really don't need any assurances from anyone in that regard."

When questioned about how he is dealing with the noise around his team, Carrick continued: "I don't see it, really. I see the things that I need to see.

"I don't look for it. It doesn't really help in any way. I've said before, I don't see it, really. I've said before, I care about what the supporters think, what it feels like in the stadium, them travelling to come and see us and support us.

"I care about what we give them and what they see. I genuinely don't take notice of anything else. I know this job, I know what it brings, I know what we need to do to be better.

"I don't need anyone else to tell me. I care about what it feels like in the stadium, them travelling to games for us, to come and see us and support us.

"I care about what we give them, what we offer them and what they see. I genuinely don't take any notice of anything else. I know this job, I know what it brings, I know what we need to do really to be better. I don't need anyone else to tell me anything else."