Manchester United

Simon Stone
Manchester United reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Former Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney said he was in "shock" and "disbelief" at the performance against Como and he is as "worried as I've been for a long time" at the situation at Old Trafford.

And, while he understands the questioning of head coach Michael Carrick, who is a close personal friend of the former England and United skipper, Rooney also called the players "selfish" and said "they're like babies" in the wake of the controversial comments from both Lisandro Martinez and Bruno Fernandes.

"When Martinez came out, I said this is an absolute nightmare because it will rip the dressing room apart," Rooney told the United Stand podcast. "That was the start. We've seen it now with Bruno and you're going to see it with more players because they don't want to take responsibility.

"You can say whether Bruno was right or wrong in what he said but you have to take responsibility on the pitch. You have to take responsibility as a group of players.

"These players, they're selfish. They don't care about their team-mates, the manager, the staff or the fans - they care about themselves. If they're not getting what's right for them, they're like babies and just throw their toys out of the pram and go and deflect the blame on to anyone else but themselves."

Fernandes' form has dipped markedly from last season, when he was named PFA and FWA Player of the Year and broke the Premier League record for assists in a season.

"He [Fernandes] is putting pressure on someone else because he doesn't want to face it," added Rooney.

"If he looks at himself in the mirror, if Martinez and all of them looked at themselves in the mirror, they'll find what's looking back at them is them, and that's not good enough. They need to show more."

Rooney has also called on the Manchester United board to provide clarity on the future of Carrick, who he believes needs to "come out fighting".

Carrick will be in charge for Sunday's visit of Bournemouth despite intense speculation he is on the brink of dismissal following United's worst run of form since 2015-16.

Simon Stone
Manchester United reporter

Image source, Getty Images

This time last week, Michael Carrick was preparing to face questions about Lisandro Martinez's explosive post-match comments following Manchester United's defeat by Atletico Madrid.

The United head coach spoke well – and also made a point of stressing how well his team had trained prearing for their visit to Leeds United.

Now he has to go through it all again after skipper Bruno Fernandes made more personal comments after the 4-1 hammering by Como.

Fernandes has not been disciplined by the club or had the captaincy removed. But some feel Carrick should drop him anyway.

His former team-mate and good friend Wayne Rooney has urged him to "come out fighting" and show "no more Mr Nice Guy".

It will be fascinating to see how Carrick deals with Friday's news conference.

He knows more than anyone the importance of a victory to end a current seven-match run without a win, their worst since 2015-16.

Carrick also promised on Tuesday there would be an update on Benjamin Sesko's shin injury.

Come back to this page later on Friday for all the key lines from Carrick.

Simon Stone
Manchester United reporter

Image source, BBC Sport

Manchester United are wanting fans to get involved in their plans for a new 100,000-capacity stadium.

United are in the process of contacting specific sections of their supporter base - including season ticket holders, members and executive club members - to ask them to complete a new survey which the club says will "play a central role in the decisions that are shaping the club's new home".

The survey will be centred around:

• Creating a world-class football stadium and match-day experience for all fans

• Heritage and legacy

• Atmosphere

• The wider campus

• Getting to and from the stadium

In addition, the club intends to set up a series of focus groups it says will "explore key themes and concepts in greater detail, help test emerging ideas and ensure fan views are being interpreted accurately".

Last month, United confirmed it had spent £63.5m on land for their intended stadium, which is likely to cost in excess of £2bn, in an area close to the current site at Old Trafford.

Planning permission for the wider 370-acre Trafford Wharfside project, of which the stadium will be the centrepiece, is expected to be submitted in late 2027 or early 2028.

Some fans argue the club should not be spending money on a new ground, and United are yet to say how they intend to pay for it.

"Our proposed new stadium is one of the most significant projects Manchester United will undertake in the next 100 years, and it is vital that we shape it together with our fans," said New Stadium Development chief executive Collette Roche.

"Above all else, this is a football stadium built for them, so getting the details right matters. Listening to those views and ensuring they are shaping the design is a vital part of the process."

Manchester United technical director Jason Wilcox appears to prefer appointing ex-Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe if the club sack manager Michael Carrick. (Talksport), external

The Red Devils would consider Julian Nagelsmann if they part ways with Carrick and the former Bayern Munich and Germany boss is keen on the role. (Telegraph - subscription required), external

Aston Villa boss Unai Emery is also among the club's dream candidates to replace Carrick. (i news), external

United have also opened talks with former Chelsea and Tottenham manager Antonio Conte about the possibility of returning to the Premier League. (La Repubblica - in Italian), external

The club would likely have to pay a world record fee if they want to replace Carrick with Fabian Hurzeler and prise the German away from Brighton. (Telegraph - subscription required), external

However, Brighton boss Hurzeler would not be interested in the job if it became available. (Talksport), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Friday's full gossip column

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

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We asked for your views on where you stand on Michael Carrick, Bruno Fernandes' comments and whether the Manchester United boss deserves more time or not, with Eddie Howe, Antonio Conte and Julian Nagelsmann among the names interested in the job at Old Trafford.

Here are some of your comments:

Andrew: Carrick is the best manager for United. I'm disappointed by the team's performance and by Fernandes' comments. Fernandes has shown no leadership in blaming the coaching staff for the performance. Fernandes and the rest of the squad need to take a long hard look at themselves.

Mark: Another change of manager will not work. We will potentially have a flurry of results because of a new manager bounce, but realistically it's the players. I have supported United for 30-plus years and in the past four weeks, three players have spoken out about performances. All comments should be said behind closed doors. It proves there are failures at all levels of management. This is not going to get better with yet another manager change.

Geoff: Bruno has never been captain material, especially Manchester United captain material. He is quickly becoming the Ronaldo-type figure who thinks he's bigger than the club. He is a corrosive influence and should be shipped out as soon as possible.

Steve: It's a disgrace. Another former player that has United flowing through his veins is being cast aside. I feel for Carrick. At the moment, I feel like United don't deserve him. Seriously, though, with all the great managers that have gone the same way before, will Howe, Conte or Nagelsmann really want this poisoned chalice? As a United fan of many years, I'm sick of it all.

David: Doesn't really matter who we choose as we will just repeat the same cycle of incompetence, negligence and downright apathy again.

Kevin: It would be easy to be distracted from the real issues at United by concentrating on Fernandes said this, Martinez said that, Carrick did the other etc. Until the ownership of the club changes and the debt placed upon us is cleared, nothing will change. It's so sad after watching my team for over 60 years that our reputation is in tatters.

Rick Edwards and Lloyd Griffith are joined by editor of United We Stand Andy Mitten and Jay Motty from the Stretford Paddock to reflect on Manchester United's disastrous night in Como.

How are Manchester United fans feeling following the 4-1 defeat to Cesc Fabregas' side? Was Bruno Fernandes right to speak out in the way he did? And can Michael Carrick survive this?

They also discuss who the fanbase feel is the right person to rescue them from this situation... if anyone.

Listen to the podcast by pressing the play button above, or on BBC Sounds here. You can also watch on BBC iPlayer here and on the BBC Football YouTube channel here, external

Image source, Getty Images

Former Arsenal and England defender Matt Upson has been analysing Bruno Fernandes' "damaging" comments after Manchester United's 4-1 defeat by Como, adding that there is "something clearly wrong" at Old Trafford.

Michael Carrick's side are on a run of seven games without victory, having won against Sabah in the Champions League on 10 September.

The Red Devils have a tough run-in to the next international break, with fixtures including trips to Chelsea and Liverpool domestically and Roma at home in the Champions League, and captain Fernandes added to the club's woes when he spoke to TNT Sports post-match on Wednesday.

"It is a decision from the staff not to press man-to-man and to sometimes leave space behind to try to get the ball, but sometimes when you give too much of the ball to these teams they get confidence," he said.

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live's Football Daily podcast about the situation, Upson said: "It is just open season at Manchester United at the minute, and that is a very difficult thing to deal with.

"Can you be successful on the field when all of this is going on? Probably not. I don't think it is possible so I wasn't surprised to see that they struggled against Como, a team who are on the complete opposite side of the scale to them.

"There is something clearly wrong if a player feels the need to criticise the tactics in that way. It is just so damaging."

Listen to the full podcast on BBC Sounds

Simon Stone
Manchester United reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Manchester United have already started the process of identifying possible replacements for Michael Carrick, with Eddie Howe, Antonio Conte and Julian Naglesmann all understood to have their eyes on the Old Trafford job.

Sources say Carrick is carrying on as normal and has not been made aware of any imminent change following Wednesday's humiliating 4-1 defeat by Italian side Como. He is expected to be in charge for Sunday's Premier League game against Bournemouth.

Accusations of a lack of passion, desire and intensity have dogged United all season, having won just two of their matches. Results and confidence have all dipped.

Mixed into that negativity has come explosive post-match comments from defender Lisandro Martinez, attacking the recruitment, and captain Bruno Fernandes, attacking Carrick and his tactics.

The proximity of United's next Premier League game doesn't make immediate change straightforward, even if that was the thinking of senior club figures.

That does not necessarily mean that Carrick is safe, of course and there remains major uncertainty over his future.

However, there is also an appreciation in some quarters of the progress he and his squad made last season, and a view that he should be given more time to turn things around.

For weeks, managers - in and out of work - have grown aware the United job may become available.

Howe, for example, is available and would be considered. Sources have indicated that the former Newcastle boss is open to returning to management with Manchester United after leaving St James' Park in the close season.

Former Chelsea boss Conte and ex-Germany manager Naglesmann, who are also out of work, are also interested.

Aston Villa head coach Unai Emery and Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler's stock is high with those in the corridors of power at Old Trafford - but extracting them away from their respective clubs would be difficult.

Where do you stand on Carrick and Fernandes' comments? Does the United boss deserve more time or is this the right time to dismiss him?

And what do you make of the names linked with potentially replacing him?

Get in touch with your views here

And read more about the situation at United here

Image source, Getty Images

Michael Carrick returned to Manchester United in January, initially as manager until the end of the season. After steering United to a third-placed finish and Champions League qualification, he was handed a two-year contract in May.

Wednesday's defeat at Como was his 28th game in charge (not including his stint as caretaker boss in 2021) and his win rate is exactly 50% - 14 wins, seven draws, seven defeats.

But last season's record is in stark contrast to that in the current campaign. United won 12 of their 17 games under Carrick last season, with three draws and two defeats, giving him a win rate of 70.6% in 2025-26.

This season they have won two out of 11 games, with four draws and five defeats for a win rate of 18.2% in 2026-27.

Carrick is the eighth permanent/interim manager to have had at least five games in charge of Manchester United since Sir Alex Ferguson, who retired in 2013 with a United win rate of 59.7%.

Carrick's win rate of 50% has recently dipped below many of his predecessors, leaving just interim boss Ralf Rangnick and Ruben Amorim with a worse record.

• Jose Mourinho (May 2016-Dec 2018) - 58.3%

• Erik ten Hag (May 2022-Oct 2024) - 54.7%

• Ole Gunnar Solskjaer (Dec 2018-Nov 2021) - 54.2%

• David Moyes (July 2013-April 2014) - 52.9%

• Louis van Gaal (July 2014-May 2016) - 52.4%

• Michael Carrick (Jan 2026-current) - 50%

• Ruben Amorim (Nov 2024-Jan 2026) - 38.1%

• Ralf Rangnick (Dec 2021-May 2022) - 37.9%

We asked for your views on Wednesday's defeat against Como in the Champions League.

Here are some of your comments:

Yousef: Losing matches happens, but losing because you didn't bother to run or fight is what hurts. The performance against Como was lifeless. Too many players are just jogging around, losing 50-50 challenges, and showing no urgency. Technical issues aside, the bare minimum requirement is effort, and we aren't even getting that.

Stephen: An absolute disgrace. Shambolic tactics and a total lack of effort. Rotten from the top down. A new low every week.

Tony: Another nightmare performance, unfortunately, the norm. I actually feel sorry for Michael Carrick, if he has any self-respect he'll wave United goodbye. The players just can't be bothered, so why should he? The whole senior squad is a disgrace. Maybe the kids might save the season, that's if they themselves aren't looking to go elsewhere through lack of pride.

Roger: No game plan, effort or knowledge of each other. It's like 11 strangers met on a pitch for the first time. These are good players who seem to be unable to play together. No passion, but it does not help having no striker on the pitch. Players playing to fill gaps. Is this really Manchester United today? Shameful.

Michael: Michael Carrick is so obviously out of his depth and unable to get the team operating as a unit. Has to go and the sooner the better.

Richard: Awful display, one of the worst I've seen from United. However, we can't keep churning through managers. Sir Alex was one game away from the boot and became the most successful and unquestionably, the greatest manager of all time. Give Carrick some time, give the team some time.

After winning 12 of his 17 games in charge last season to guide United back into the Champions League after a two-year absence, Michael Carrick was given a two-year contract.

However, as happened with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer five years ago, the new campaign has unravelled spectacularly and they are 13th in the Premier League, three points clear of bottom club Sunderland.

Although they recovered from their shock opening-day defeat to newly promoted Hull by coming from behind to beat Ipswich the following week, United have not won in the Premier League since. Their only other success in 11 games in all competitions came against Azerbaijan champions Sabah FK in the Champions League.

Their latest loss meant they have now gone seven games without a win, their worst run since they went eight without a victory under Louis van Gaal between 25 November and 28 December 2015.

United flew straight back to Manchester after the game.

It remains to be seen whether the position around Carrick changes before the Bournemouth game. However, United supporters sang against the Glazer family and Sir Jim Ratcliffe as the shambolic evening unravelled.

Both Carrick and sporting director Jason Wilcox have been absolved of partial blame for the club's plight by some; Carrick because he was let down badly in the summer transfer window, when the club signed three midfielders, but failed to bring in competition for Luke Shaw at left-back and Benjamin Sesko in attack. Wilcox too, because he had to work to a budget set by those above him, including chief executive Omar Berrada.

"There was a lot going through my mind watching that," admitted Carrick, who won five Premier League titles and the Champions League during his United playing career. "It was tough to watch.

"It wasn't just the goals, if I'm totally honest. It was was the manner and way we played at times.

"I'm giving my absolute best all the time, I care about it. My whole life is wrapped around it. It might go well, it might not go so well, but I I genuinely give everything that I possibly can."

Kasper Schmeichel
Former Premier League goalkeeper

I have been in situations myself where you feel, as a player, the management or the club isn't aligned from top to bottom.

You kind of feel lonely out there, and I think that's what Bruno Fernandes is doing, he's reacting to maybe feeling alone out there.

I watched him in the game, he's trying to press, he turns around and there wasn't anybody following him up. His reaction, his body language wasn't great when those situations occurred. That's frustration.

But, I also do think that, given this last week and what's happened, he probably should not be saying these things because it's only going to add to the problems.

With experience, you learn that you need to keep these things in-house.

It's a problem, with everything that happened during the week.

Michael Carrick didn't need this, the club didn't need this. It's exposing all of the issues that are at Manchester United.

It's very plain to see that there are loads of issues, but you need to be fixing them, you need to be having meetings within the club, which I'm sure that they are, but it's obviously not resolved because there are some frustrations there which haven't been resolved.

It's just translating on to the pitch.

Read more on Bruno Fernandes' comments about Man Utd's tactics here