Carrick Confirms Bruno Fernandes Stays Man Utd Captain

Michael Carrick has confirmed that Bruno Fernandes will stay as Manchester United captain, giving the Portugal midfielder a clear vote of confidence from the dugout ahead of Saturday's trip to Chelsea.

The United head coach was asked about the armband and made it plain that he sees Fernandes as the right man to lead the squad. The midfielder has been one of the club's most influential players in recent seasons, and keeping him in the role sends a message of stability to a dressing room that has been searching for consistency.

Carrick also addressed his own position at the club. The details of what he said about his future were limited in the initial report, but the fact that he chose to speak on the subject before a big away fixture means the question is unlikely to go away quickly. Chelsea away is a test that will show how the team responds on the road, and both the captain and the coach will be under scrutiny when the whistle blows.