Carra: Fernandes comments 'disgraceful', but Carrick's time may be up

Key points

• Jamie Carragher called Bruno Fernandes's post-match comments about Manchester United's tactics a "disgrace" after the 4-1 defeat to Como.
• Carragher said the loss could have serious consequences for manager Michael Carrick, suggesting another United manager may be about to leave.
• Paul Merson disagreed, saying United should keep Carrick and that changing managers will not fix the club's problems.

Jamie Carragher has criticised Bruno Fernandes for questioning Manchester United's tactics after the team's 4-1 defeat to Como, and said the result could mark the end of Michael Carrick's time as manager. Carragher, speaking on CBS Sports, said Fernandes's comments were a "disgrace" and that the United captain's attitude was not what the club should expect.

Fernandes questioned the decision not to press Como man-to-man after the match. Carrick responded in his press conference by saying "if you don't run back, you ain't going to win." The exchange came just over a week after Lisandro Martinez called out the club's hierarchy following the 2-0 defeat to Atletico Madrid, comments Carragher also criticised.

Carragher's verdict on Fernandes

Carragher said Fernandes reacted as he did because he was substituted and had been embarrassed by the manager. He argued that Fernandes' running style, which supporters see as hard work, actually harms the rest of the team, and that the captain should not publicly call out his manager after his own performances this season.

Carragher compared Fernandes unfavourably with former United captain Bryan Robson, saying Robson never turned on a manager or his teammates. He said United is "rotten from top to bottom" and that he was glad Carrick answered Fernandes back and brought him off.

For Bruno Fernandes to do that, it is a disgrace.

— Jamie Carragher

Differing views on Carrick

Carragher said the manner of the defeat could have serious repercussions for Carrick, adding that it "looks like another Man Utd manager is going to bite the dust." He said the result was not a shock but the performance was embarrassing.

Paul Merson took the opposite view, saying United should stick with Carrick. He said the club needs to steady itself and that Carrick proved he could get results last season. Sky Sports News' Danyal Khan said Carrick's decision to criticise his own team after defending it for months was startling.