BRUNO FERNANDES SAID Manchester United boss Michael Carrick was right to drop him from the starting team recently, as he reflected on Tuesday night’s dramatic Champions League comeback win over Roma at Old Trafford.
Old Trafford witnessed an incredible conclusion to a Champions League night that began with fresh protests against owners the Glazer family and the visitors punishing a first-half display that was as meek as it was shambolic.
Matias Soule’s avoidable opener was followed by a Donyell Malen penalty as United fans once again booed their team at the break, only for Carrick’s side to dig deep and produce an unforgettable turnaround.
Skipper Fernandes converted a retaken penalty before Matheus Cunha scored a last-gasp brace – and picked up an even later sending-off – as the Red Devils ended their nine-match winless run in style.
Fernandes was dropped for last month’s Premier League tie against Bournemouth, having criticised Carrick’s tactics after the Champions League defeat against Como.
“The club needed that win, the players needed that win. We have been working so hard to get out of this situation altogether.
“It’s been tough, there’s been a lot of speculation in the media. A lot of lies around many things that have happened in this club between me and the manager, that we had cleared the air. The manager took a decision of making myself be on the bench because I wasn’t performing.
“That’s fair. Everyone felt like that was a punishment for the words that I had. If it was, it was right. The manager is the one that makes the decisions. I have to accept them. I have to go forward with that.
Belief
“It doesn’t change the belief I have of the manager and the staff and every player that is in this club. It doesn’t change my aim to win every game that I have ahead of me.”
Fernandes is hopeful this thrilling win can energise the Manchester United fan base, ahead of Sunday’s Premier League game against Aston Villa.
“They’ve been used to seeing this club at the top, winning trophies, winning games every week, and for them it’s been so frustrating to see the club in this situation.
“But I just want to make everyone aware that we are frustrated with the situation at the moment and we all want to get out of this and hopefully this win today gives the start of something good for us.”
Under-fire Carrick said he is not getting carried away with Manchester United’s wild comeback win, despite acknowledging the importance of the 3-2 triumph to his misfiring squad’s confidence.
Proud
“Proud of a lot of people, actually,” United head coach Carrick said. “Proud of the players. I think they deserve a lot of credit for pulling through that in a tough situation.
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“And for the supporters, you know, to be there. I could feel they were desperate for us to give them something to get their teeth into.
“Frustrating, disappointing, as we all were going in at half-time. But I spoke with the players about the second half, about what this place can do and moments, and one moment can really flip it.
“We came out second half really well, just stayed really positive through the whole second half.
Michael Carrick and Youri Tielemans after the game. Alamy Stock Photo
Alamy Stock Photo
“To come through and see so many positives and had to keep going to get that at the end, I’m really pleased for an awful lot of people for that one.
“It’s one win, so we’re not getting too carried away with things, but it was an important one for us.
“I think it’s important for some of the players to have the feeling that they maybe haven’t had here before.
“Some of the lads that came this year, some of the boys that came even last year who maybe haven’t had a feeling of that.
“I think it’s important for them to know what that means and how it feels.
“It’s pretty obvious to say, but until you’ve really gone through it and felt it and had to dig deep and come out the other side, sometimes you don’t know what it’s like.
“But we’ve got to take stock, we’ve got to stay calm and prepare and be ready for another big game on the weekend.”
Carlos Baleba receives medical treatment as he is substituted off the pitch. Alamy Stock Photo
Alamy Stock Photo
United look set to be without Carlos Baleba against Villa and for the foreseeable future after the summer signing pulled up injured early in the second half.
Carrick said: “I haven’t got any more news on Carlos at this stage, but obviously it’s his hamstring, so we’ll just have to assess what that looks like.
“Initially, it doesn’t look great. Timelines, I haven’t got much more to give you.”
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'I wasn't performing. That's fair.' - Bruno on Carrick's decision to drop him from Man United side
BRUNO FERNANDES SAID Manchester United boss Michael Carrick was right to drop him from the starting team recently, as he reflected on Tuesday night’s dramatic Champions League comeback win over Roma at Old Trafford.
Old Trafford witnessed an incredible conclusion to a Champions League night that began with fresh protests against owners the Glazer family and the visitors punishing a first-half display that was as meek as it was shambolic.
Matias Soule’s avoidable opener was followed by a Donyell Malen penalty as United fans once again booed their team at the break, only for Carrick’s side to dig deep and produce an unforgettable turnaround.
Skipper Fernandes converted a retaken penalty before Matheus Cunha scored a last-gasp brace – and picked up an even later sending-off – as the Red Devils ended their nine-match winless run in style.
Fernandes was dropped for last month’s Premier League tie against Bournemouth, having criticised Carrick’s tactics after the Champions League defeat against Como.
Asked if Tuesday night’s win had saved the manager’s job, Fernandes told Amazon Prime Video after the game: “No, we don’t need to save anyone’s job.
“It’s been tough, there’s been a lot of speculation in the media. A lot of lies around many things that have happened in this club between me and the manager, that we had cleared the air. The manager took a decision of making myself be on the bench because I wasn’t performing.
“That’s fair. Everyone felt like that was a punishment for the words that I had. If it was, it was right. The manager is the one that makes the decisions. I have to accept them. I have to go forward with that.
Belief
“It doesn’t change the belief I have of the manager and the staff and every player that is in this club. It doesn’t change my aim to win every game that I have ahead of me.”
Fernandes is hopeful this thrilling win can energise the Manchester United fan base, ahead of Sunday’s Premier League game against Aston Villa.
“They’ve been used to seeing this club at the top, winning trophies, winning games every week, and for them it’s been so frustrating to see the club in this situation.
Under-fire Carrick said he is not getting carried away with Manchester United’s wild comeback win, despite acknowledging the importance of the 3-2 triumph to his misfiring squad’s confidence.
Proud
“Proud of a lot of people, actually,” United head coach Carrick said. “Proud of the players. I think they deserve a lot of credit for pulling through that in a tough situation.
“And for the supporters, you know, to be there. I could feel they were desperate for us to give them something to get their teeth into.
“Frustrating, disappointing, as we all were going in at half-time. But I spoke with the players about the second half, about what this place can do and moments, and one moment can really flip it.
“We came out second half really well, just stayed really positive through the whole second half.
“To come through and see so many positives and had to keep going to get that at the end, I’m really pleased for an awful lot of people for that one.
“It’s one win, so we’re not getting too carried away with things, but it was an important one for us.
“I think it’s important for some of the players to have the feeling that they maybe haven’t had here before.
“I think it’s important for them to know what that means and how it feels.
“It’s pretty obvious to say, but until you’ve really gone through it and felt it and had to dig deep and come out the other side, sometimes you don’t know what it’s like.
“But we’ve got to take stock, we’ve got to stay calm and prepare and be ready for another big game on the weekend.”
United look set to be without Carlos Baleba against Villa and for the foreseeable future after the summer signing pulled up injured early in the second half.
Carrick said: “I haven’t got any more news on Carlos at this stage, but obviously it’s his hamstring, so we’ll just have to assess what that looks like.
“Initially, it doesn’t look great. Timelines, I haven’t got much more to give you.”
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