Does Michael Carrick Need to Bench Bruno Fernandes?

Michael Carrick has no shortage of advice when it comes to how he should carry out his job as head coach of Manchester United.

Few of his players divide opinion as strongly as captain Bruno Fernandes.

That helps explain why there are many differing views about whether Fernandes should be left out of the starting lineup for Sunday’s crucial Premier League match against Bournemouth at Old Trafford.

Duncan Ferguson, a former Everton and Rangers striker, is not in doubt.

“It is a big issue for Michael,” he told The Overlap podcast. “Put people in the team you trust. Your captain has thrown you under the bus. If you don’t think he is playing for you, get him out. I wouldn’t pick him even though he is their best player.”

Joe Smith, the respected host of the Manchester United fan channel Stretford Paddock, holds a similar view.

“I don’t think Fernandes should play on the weekend,” he said. “I don’t think (Lisandro) Martínez should have played against Leeds, because otherwise they’re running the show here.”

United fans returning on flights from Como to Manchester had their own views, though much of it was tied up in wider criticism of the club, most of which was negative.

But only one opinion truly matters. Carrick is the man who picks the team.

His friend and former teammate Wayne Rooney has a view on that.

“When Martinez came out, I said this is an absolute nightmare because it will rip the dressing room apart,” he said on 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.”

“I was in that situation [as manager at Plymouth and Birmingham City] and if I was in Carrick’s position now, I’d come out fighting. There’s no more Mr Nice Guy.”

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