Bruno Fernandes openly talks about Man Utd’s tactics in a very honest interview after the loss to Como.
Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes spoke up about the team’s pressing tactics after their tough 4-1 loss to Como in the Champions League.
United had a hard night in Lombardy, with two goals from Nico Paz plus strikes from Anastasios Douvikas and Jacobo Ramon. Joshua Zirkzee scored a late goal for Michael Carrick’s side, but it was little consolation.
After the game, Carrick walked over to the away fans at the Giuseppe Sinigaglia Stadium and apologized – this might have been his last match in charge. Fernandes, who was taken off in the second half and replaced by Zirkzee, also made some comments that could stir up more talk.
Speaking to TNT Sports reporter Liam McDevitt, Fernandes was asked if he believed United could work as a team to fix their problems on the pitch. He said, “Of course we can, but the staff decided not to press man-to-man and sometimes leave space, waiting for the other team to make a move. But giving too much ball possession to these teams gives them confidence. They have many players behind the ball, making us run a lot and get frustrated. Then, when we do win the ball back, it’s harder to perform well.”
When asked if United got their pressing wrong in Como, Fernandes replied, “That’s for the manager and staff to decide, not me. But I think we needed to be braver under pressure and take risks by pressing higher to make them uncomfortable, like they did to us. I was even marked by their centre-back in my own half! We needed to do that as a team, but we didn’t. They like playing through the middle with short passes, and if you give them time, they find big spaces on the sides—like with their first goal.”
This 4-1 defeat means United have now lost two of their first three Champions League games this season. Earlier this week, they lost 2-0 to Atletico Madrid after winning 4-0 against Sabah in their first group match.
“It was more than disappointing,” Carrick told TNT Sports. “Everyone has to take responsibility—I fully accept that. I care deeply about the supporters. They are the heart of this club, and for them to come and see a performance like that, I had to apologize. It’s just not acceptable. There are no excuses.”