Syndicated reporting provided by Stats Perform and reviewed by the SoccerNews editorial team.
Bruno Fernandes was critical of Manchester United’s tactics after they slumped to a disappointing 4-1 defeat to Como in the Champions League.
Nico Paz was the star of the show for Como as he got two goals and an assist, with Tasos Douvikas and Jacobo Ramon also hitting the back of the net in a stellar performance.
Joshua Zirkzee scored a stoppage-time consolation, but it was too late to stop United from stretching their winless streak to seven games in all competitions (D3 L4) for the first time since a run of eight between November and December 2015.
United struggled to match Como’s intensity, especially after conceding in the second minute for the second consecutive Champions League match.
And Fernandes, who was substituted off in the 67th minute for Zirkzee, seemingly hit out at Michael Carrick’s tactics following the loss.
When asked by TNT Sports about a lack of cohesion in the team’s pressing, Fernandes replied: “It’s a decision from the staff to not press man-to-man and sometimes leave a little space in behind and try to get the ball in the first moment, to wait for them, to give them the ball.
“But sometimes, when you give too much [of] the ball to these teams, they get confident; they have so many bodies behind the ball that make you run a lot, make people get frustrated, and then, obviously, when you recover the ball, [with] the legs and the brain [it is] much more difficult to make it work.”
Pressed on whether the wrong tactical decision was made, Fernandes added: “That’s on the manager and on the staff to see it; it’s not on me.
“I just said, I think sometimes we have to be more brave on the pressure, trying to take a risk of getting that press very high and making them uncomfortable – as they did to us.
“The centre-back was coming to mark me all the way into my own half. Sometimes we had to do that as a team, and we were not really able to do it.
“A team that likes to play through the middle and likes these small connections. If you give them too much time on the ball to think, and to rotate on the middle of the pitch, they create a big space on the outside; that’s what they did. The goal – the first one – comes from that.”
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) October 21, 2026
The comments were then posed to Carrick in his post-match press conference.
“We actually were half-pressed man-to-man in the second half and then conceded a goal from that,” Carrick said.
“And whatever system you play, whatever tactics you play, if you don’t run, and you don’t run forward, and you don’t run back, you aren’t going to win.”
United have failed to win any of their first six away games of a campaign (D3 L3) for the first time since 2014-15, when Carrick played in the sixth game against Manchester City (0-1).
The Red Devils have only won two games in 2026-27, with their last victory coming on MD1 of the Champions League against Sabah on September 10.
“It was more than disappointing,” Carrick, who was seen apologising to supporters at the full-time whistle, told TNT Sports. “I think everybody has got to take responsibility for that.
“I 100% take responsibility for the overall team and the performance – that’s where it stops. It stops with me, and I’m absolutely fine with that.
“I accept that totally. But as a supporter of this football club for so long, to see a performance like that is unacceptable, I have to say.
“It was nowhere near good enough in so many ways. We didn’t deserve to get anything from the game. I care an unbelievable amount about the supporters. They are the heartbeat of this football club, and they always will be.
“For them to travel, I had to apologise for the performance. To have to watch a performance like that, I totally feel for them.
“There are no excuses at all. It is not acceptable. It’s not about me. It’s about digesting the game and how it went. That is the most important thing right now.”
UEFA Champions League News
Paz: Como must play every game like it’s our last
UEFA Champions League News
Kvaratskhelia vows to come back stronger as Ronaldo leads tributes to PSG star
UEFA Champions League News
‘This is Anfield’ – Perez says Villarreal failed to deal with Liverpool atmosphere
UEFA Champions League News
Kovac reiterates demand for Dortmund to rediscover clinical edge
UEFA Champions League News
PSV ‘back in the mix’ after huge victory against Porto, says Bosz
UEFA Champions League News
Mac Allister admits ‘something wasn’t right’ under Slot at Liverpool
We use cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website. By using our website you agree to our use of cookies in accordance with our Privacy Policy.
Discover more from NAIRAVOICE.COM.NG
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
