Manchester United sit 16th in the table after their worst start to a league season since 1986/87 and are on an eight-game winless run in all competitions. Carrick had been expected to be sacked after a 3-0 defeat to Bournemouth, but is now set to remain in charge for the trip to Chelsea.
Fernandes and the tactical call
Fernandes was left out of the starting line-up against Bournemouth and remained on the bench throughout the game as United fell to a 3-0 defeat. Carrick called the omission "a football decision".
Fernandes said: "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."
Fernandes said: "But sometimes when you give too much 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 the legs are, and the brain, much more difficult to make it work."
Football365 said Fernandes appeared to criticise Carrick's tactics following the 4-1 defeat in Italy.
Mount and Yoro under Carrick
Mount played the full 90 minutes against both Como and Bournemouth. Those games account for two of the five starts Mount has made under Carrick.
Football365 said Mount has struggled with a few injury problems and, even when fit, has largely found himself on the periphery in the last 10 months.
Mount said: "I see myself as bringing a lot of energy into the team and setting off the press at times, being a bit of a catalyst going forward."
Mount said: "That’s always something that I focus on, helping the people around me and really bringing the energy."
United agreed a package worth up to £58.9million to sign Leny Yoro, who arrived at Old Trafford in the summer of 2024. Football365 said Yoro started just six games in the second half of last season, and that his only Premier League starts this season have come out of position at right-back.
Cunha and Sesko selection issues
Cunha registered six goals and three assists in 15 Premier League appearances under Carrick in the 2025/26 season. Football365 said Cunha appears to have fallen out of favour in recent weeks.
Cunha played a combined total of 16 minutes from the substitutes' bench against Atletico Madrid and Leeds United, before being brought back into the starting line-up against Como. Football365 said Cunha had a heated touchline exchange with Carrick during the first half against Como, and that the pair reportedly clashed again at the interval.
Cunha did not play in the second half against Como and was back on the bench against Bournemouth, although Carrick brought him on at half-time. Sesko has netted nine goals in all competitions since Carrick's arrival, making him United's joint-top goalscorer under the manager. 11 of Sesko's 19 appearances under Carrick have come from the substitutes' bench, and he is currently injured.
Eddie Howe's view on recruitment
Eddie Howe said: "Manchester United have recruited very well."
Howe said: "The players you have mentioned are outstanding players – players we were aware of in the summer – so well done to them."