Bruno Fernandes said Manchester United’s players did not need to “save anyone’s job” after their 3-2 Champions League comeback win over Roma. United came from two goals down to end a run of nine games without a victory, easing some of the pressure on manager Michael Carrick.
Fernandes’ penalty in the 58th minute began the revival. Speaking to Amazon Prime, the United captain said the result was needed by both the club and the players, who had been working to get out of a difficult situation together.
The midfielder was speaking publicly for the first time since being left out of the starting line-up after criticising Carrick’s tactics following a 4-1 defeat at Como. He said speculation about tensions between the pair had included “a lot of lies”, and that Carrick had explained his decision to put him on the bench as a response to his performances. Fernandes said the manager was entitled to make that call and that it had not changed his belief in Carrick, the staff or the players.
Fernandes had been an unused substitute in a 3-0 loss to Bournemouth. He returned to the starting line-up for the Premier League defeat by Chelsea, before featuring in the win over Roma.
Youri Tielemans said United’s comeback was a show of character after a period of pressure on Carrick. Asked whether the result would save the manager’s job, Tielemans said the players could only support him and fight for the club. Kobbie Mainoo called ending the winless run a relief and said the team hoped to build on the victory.
The win was United’s second in four Champions League matches this season and moved them to 17th in the league-phase table. In the Premier League, they were also 17th, with one win from their first nine games.
Sources: BBC Sport.