Carrick Keeps Fernandes as Manchester United Captain Despite Benching

Michael Carrick has ruled out stripping Bruno Fernandes of the Manchester United captaincy, even after the midfielder was left out of the side for the defeat by Bournemouth. Carrick also said he was not surprised to still be in charge as head coach, pointing to the difficult run the club has been through.

The friction followed Fernandes's criticism of the team's tactics in the loss to Como. Carrick and the player sat down for talks this week to clear the air, and the result was that Fernandes was named among the unused substitutes at the weekend. Harry Maguire wore the armband in that match, but he will not keep it for the trip to Chelsea on Saturday.

Carrick was firm that the captaincy was never in question. He said there was nothing to decide on that front and spoke warmly about Fernandes's value to the group, describing him as an important figure in the dressing room and on the pitch. In Carrick's view, the matter was a disagreement handled inside the squad, not a reason to change the leadership.

On his own position, Carrick was matter-of-fact. He did not seek reassurance from the club about his future, and he suggested that the job of managing a side in transition was always going to bring scrutiny. United's supporters will be watching closely to see whether the Chelsea game brings Fernandes back into the starting XI, and whether the episode leaves any lasting strain between the head coach and his most experienced midfielder.