Manchester United boss Michael Carrick has revealed that Bruno Fernandes will retain his captaincy after the Portuguese was not part of the team in the 3-0 defeat against Bournemouth on Sunday for outspoken comments about the team’s tactics. The gaffer handed Harry Maguire the captain’s armband in Sunday’s loss.
Carrick will continue as United’s manager after discussions involving the club hierarchy this week. The former midfielder’s job has been under scrutiny as United have managed only seven points in eight games and have registered a solitary win so far in the Premier League. Thus, the Red Devils are in 16th place in the standings and are one place away from the relegation zone.
“There is no decision to be made on [the captaincy],” Carrick said ahead of their match against Chelsea. “It will be Bruno. Listen, we’re clear with the situation of the team and as a football club at the moment. He’s an important player for this group. He has been and he will be.
“Between us, we’ve got to make a difference and we’ve got to push things in a good direction. He’s fully committed to this football club, he’s fully committed to making things better. It doesn’t change for me. He’s the one that’s kind of led the team so well for many a game and many a year, and he’ll continue to do that.”
Carrick revealed that Benjamin Sesko is expected to be out for some time after suffering a shin injury.
“Ben looks like he’s going to be out for a period of time,” Carrick said. “We’re still not clear of exactly how long, but it’s going to be for a longer period of time. It was the process and we had to go through the process. There’s a bit of a healing process for the injury to see how it would react and what direction to go with that.
“So even now we’re still working through it. But yeah, it’s unfortunate, obviously first and foremost for Ben, for the kind of period that he’s had and tried to get through it.”
United will next take on Chelsea on Saturday.
