Manchester United

Chris Adams
BBC Sport journalist

Manchester United welcome Bournemouth to Old Trafford on Sunday with head coach Michael Carrick's position coming increasingly under the microscope.

After the optimism of pre-season, the Red Devils' campaign has nosedived into disarray, with just one win in seven league games compounded by two abject defeats in Europe and an early Carabao Cup exit.

Calamity in Como

Wednesday's 4-1 Champions League humbling against Como has left Carrick teetering on the brink, his team's form a far cry from the terrific run they went on when he was appointed in January.

Bruno Fernandes was key to United's impressive displays between January and May, but the club captain's outspoken post-match interview in Italy, in which he appeared to criticise Carrick's tactics, must make him a doubt for Sunday. Carrick gave no indication either way in his Friday news conference.

Should the Portuguese playmaker feature, he can rely upon an excellent record against the Cherries, having been involved in nine goals in nine Premier League appearances against them (five goals, four assists).

Last December, this fixture produced a 4-4 game-of-the-season contender. Ruben Amorim was gone within a month, and such draws are becoming a problem for Carrick. United's past three league games have finished level; they last had a longer string of draws in September-October 1992, when they drew five on the spin.

Worryingly for Carrick, Sunday's opponents have become something of a problem team. United are winless in six against the Cherries, drawing four and losing two.

Not all rosy for Rose

Bournemouth head coach Marco Rose, like Sunday's opposite number Carrick, has endured a tricky start to the Premier League season.

One win and three draws in the opening seven games mean Bournemouth are sitting 15th in the table, a point and two places behind Manchester United, although things appear somewhat calmer on the Dorset coast than they do at Old Trafford.

The German newcomer can at least cite his side's results in the Europa League as evidence of his impact since joining in the summer. The Cherries boast a 100% record in Europe, sitting third in the league phase table after their 3-0 dismantling of 10-man AC Milan at Vitality Stadium on Thursday.

Evanilson played his part in winning the penalty that resulted in Bournemouth's first goal against Milan, and the forward has been notably effective in the opening weeks of the domestic seasons.

He has been involved in six league goals for Bournemouth this season, scoring twice and registering four assists – the highest share of goal involvements by one player for a club so far this season in the top flight.

Despite having just one league win to their name this season, only three teams have spent a higher percentage of their games in the lead than Rose's side (43%). Having lost the excellent Marco Senesi to Tottenham in the summer, protecting their leads is a clear problem.

Late goals on the opening weekend against Manchester City and last month against Newcastle United turned two potential wins into a defeat and a draw. In recent years, however, Old Trafford has become something of a happy hunting ground for the Cherries.

Bournemouth are unbeaten in their past three league visits, winning two and drawing one, and scoring at least three goals on each occasion. They are the only team to achieve that in three consecutive league away games against United.

The last team to score three or more goals in four straight top-flight away games against one opponent was Manchester City at Newcastle United from 2020-21 to 2023-24.

With United's current defensive frailties, Bournemouth may well fancy their chances of equalling that record.

Katie Stafford
BBC Sport journalist

Manchester United boss Michael Carrick has been speaking to the media before Sunday's Premier League game against Bournemouth at Old Trafford (kick-off 14:00 GMT).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Carrick addressed the media for six minutes before taking questions. He started by saying Manchester United "haven't done well enough lately" and have "had a spell that we're really not happy with".

• He said Wednesday's Champions League defeat by Como was "a bad night for a lot of reasons" and "it hurt a lot".

• More on the poor results: "My responsibility is to get a team on the pitch that represents this football club, represents the supporters and is one they can be proud of with the identity that we show. We have gone away from that just recently in certain games, which I'm fully aware of and definitely doing something about."

• Carrick said "the foundations of this football club and values have been etched down for many years" and he understands "every single one of them". He went on to list them as "being humble, hard work and being really proud to live up to those values", before adding: "I won't let us lose that."

• Carrick said "Manchester United always has been, and always will be, bigger than any single individual" and referenced himself and the players being included in that.

• On restoring the values at United: "We've kind of lost our way a little bit, if I'm totally honest. We will get it back - I'm totally convinced we'll get it back. Respect this football club, respect what it takes, because it's very, very important to me."

• He added that "entitlement cannot be at this football club" and it should "take hard work" and "a lot of sacrifice" to be involved with United.

• On conversations with the players since the Como defeat: "It's pretty obvious how we're all feeling. The responsibility for me, in this position, is to lead. I'll hold that umbrella for me to stay wet and everyone else stay dry."

• Carrick dismissed talk of the dressing room being divided following Bruno Fernandes and Lisandro Martinez speaking out after consecutive games, adding: "We just need to get back to doing what we do best - and we will."

Hit play above to hear more from Carrick or listen on BBC Sounds here

Listen to live commentary of Manchester United v Bournemouth on BBC Radio 5 Live and BBC Sounds from 14:00 GMT on Sunday.

Follow all of Friday's Premier League news conferences and the rest of the day's football news

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United We Stand fanzine editor Andy Mitten says he "can't see what good can come" from Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes' comments criticising Michael Carrick's tactics "unless he wants his manager to lose his job".

Fernandes turned on the United head coach following one of the most humiliating nights in the club's European history in Wednesday's 4-1 defeat at Como.

It was confirmed on Thursday that the 32-year-old would remain captain, despite criticism levelled at his reaction.

"It's damaging when your best player and captain comes out and throws the manager under the bus. It doesn't help anybody," Mitten told BBC Radio 5 Live's Football Daily podcast.

"There will be some fans who say it's good for him speaking out, but Bruno is having a really poor season. He was by some distance the best player for Manchester United last year, he couldn't stop assisting goals, but my first reaction was, 'I don't like this'.

"Fernandes has always chosen his words very carefully because he knows the responsibility and the impact that they have. I don't know if he meant to be so direct, but they're certainly interpreted in a direct way.

"It is a bit different to Lisandro Martinez who wants a new contract and hasn't been making any headway to get one. He had very little to lose.

"Bruno is different, he's the best player and the captain, and he's been very specific about the shortcomings in Manchester United's tactics. I personally think those type of conversations are best kept in the dressing room between the captain and the manager.

"I can't see what good can come from them being aired publicly, unless he wants his manager to lose his job."

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds here

Simon Stone
Manchester United reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Former Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney said he was in "shock" and "disbelief" at the performance against Como and he is as "worried as I've been for a long time" at the situation at Old Trafford.

And, while he understands the questioning of head coach Michael Carrick, who is a close personal friend of the former England and United skipper, Rooney also called the players "selfish" and said "they're like babies" in the wake of the controversial comments from both Lisandro Martinez and Bruno Fernandes.

"When Martinez came out, I said this is an absolute nightmare because it will rip the dressing room apart," Rooney told 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.

"You can say whether Bruno was right or wrong in what he said but you have to take responsibility on the pitch. You have to take responsibility as a group of players.

"These players, they're selfish. They don't care about their team-mates, the manager, the staff or the fans - they care about themselves. If they're not getting what's right for them, they're like babies and just throw their toys out of the pram and go and deflect the blame on to anyone else but themselves."

Fernandes' form has dipped markedly from last season, when he was named PFA and FWA Player of the Year and broke the Premier League record for assists in a season.

"He [Fernandes] is putting pressure on someone else because he doesn't want to face it," added Rooney.

"If he looks at himself in the mirror, if Martinez and all of them looked at themselves in the mirror, they'll find what's looking back at them is them, and that's not good enough. They need to show more."

Rooney has also called on the Manchester United board to provide clarity on the future of Carrick, who he believes needs to "come out fighting".

Carrick will be in charge for Sunday's visit of Bournemouth despite intense speculation he is on the brink of dismissal following United's worst run of form since 2015-16.

Simon Stone
Manchester United reporter

Image source, Getty Images

This time last week, Michael Carrick was preparing to face questions about Lisandro Martinez's explosive post-match comments following Manchester United's defeat by Atletico Madrid.

The United head coach spoke well – and also made a point of stressing how well his team had trained prearing for their visit to Leeds United.

Now he has to go through it all again after skipper Bruno Fernandes made more personal comments after the 4-1 hammering by Como.

Fernandes has not been disciplined by the club or had the captaincy removed. But some feel Carrick should drop him anyway.

His former team-mate and good friend Wayne Rooney has urged him to "come out fighting" and show "no more Mr Nice Guy".

It will be fascinating to see how Carrick deals with Friday's news conference.

He knows more than anyone the importance of a victory to end a current seven-match run without a win, their worst since 2015-16.

Carrick also promised on Tuesday there would be an update on Benjamin Sesko's shin injury.

Come back to this page later on Friday for all the key lines from Carrick.

Simon Stone
Manchester United reporter

Image source, BBC Sport

Manchester United are wanting fans to get involved in their plans for a new 100,000-capacity stadium.

United are in the process of contacting specific sections of their supporter base - including season ticket holders, members and executive club members - to ask them to complete a new survey which the club says will "play a central role in the decisions that are shaping the club's new home".

The survey will be centred around:

• Creating a world-class football stadium and match-day experience for all fans

• Heritage and legacy

• Atmosphere

• The wider campus

• Getting to and from the stadium

In addition, the club intends to set up a series of focus groups it says will "explore key themes and concepts in greater detail, help test emerging ideas and ensure fan views are being interpreted accurately".

Last month, United confirmed it had spent £63.5m on land for their intended stadium, which is likely to cost in excess of £2bn, in an area close to the current site at Old Trafford.

Planning permission for the wider 370-acre Trafford Wharfside project, of which the stadium will be the centrepiece, is expected to be submitted in late 2027 or early 2028.

Some fans argue the club should not be spending money on a new ground, and United are yet to say how they intend to pay for it.

"Our proposed new stadium is one of the most significant projects Manchester United will undertake in the next 100 years, and it is vital that we shape it together with our fans," said New Stadium Development chief executive Collette Roche.

"Above all else, this is a football stadium built for them, so getting the details right matters. Listening to those views and ensuring they are shaping the design is a vital part of the process."

Manchester United technical director Jason Wilcox appears to prefer appointing ex-Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe if the club sack manager Michael Carrick. (Talksport), external

The Red Devils would consider Julian Nagelsmann if they part ways with Carrick and the former Bayern Munich and Germany boss is keen on the role. (Telegraph - subscription required), external

Aston Villa boss Unai Emery is also among the club's dream candidates to replace Carrick. (i news), external

United have also opened talks with former Chelsea and Tottenham manager Antonio Conte about the possibility of returning to the Premier League. (La Repubblica - in Italian), external

The club would likely have to pay a world record fee if they want to replace Carrick with Fabian Hurzeler and prise the German away from Brighton. (Telegraph - subscription required), external

However, Brighton boss Hurzeler would not be interested in the job if it became available. (Talksport), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Friday's full gossip column

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

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We asked for your views on where you stand on Michael Carrick, Bruno Fernandes' comments and whether the Manchester United boss deserves more time or not, with Eddie Howe, Antonio Conte and Julian Nagelsmann among the names interested in the job at Old Trafford.

Here are some of your comments:

Andrew: Carrick is the best manager for United. I'm disappointed by the team's performance and by Fernandes' comments. Fernandes has shown no leadership in blaming the coaching staff for the performance. Fernandes and the rest of the squad need to take a long hard look at themselves.

Mark: Another change of manager will not work. We will potentially have a flurry of results because of a new manager bounce, but realistically it's the players. I have supported United for 30-plus years and in the past four weeks, three players have spoken out about performances. All comments should be said behind closed doors. It proves there are failures at all levels of management. This is not going to get better with yet another manager change.

Geoff: Bruno has never been captain material, especially Manchester United captain material. He is quickly becoming the Ronaldo-type figure who thinks he's bigger than the club. He is a corrosive influence and should be shipped out as soon as possible.

Steve: It's a disgrace. Another former player that has United flowing through his veins is being cast aside. I feel for Carrick. At the moment, I feel like United don't deserve him. Seriously, though, with all the great managers that have gone the same way before, will Howe, Conte or Nagelsmann really want this poisoned chalice? As a United fan of many years, I'm sick of it all.

David: Doesn't really matter who we choose as we will just repeat the same cycle of incompetence, negligence and downright apathy again.

Kevin: It would be easy to be distracted from the real issues at United by concentrating on Fernandes said this, Martinez said that, Carrick did the other etc. Until the ownership of the club changes and the debt placed upon us is cleared, nothing will change. It's so sad after watching my team for over 60 years that our reputation is in tatters.

Rick Edwards and Lloyd Griffith are joined by editor of United We Stand Andy Mitten and Jay Motty from the Stretford Paddock to reflect on Manchester United's disastrous night in Como.

How are Manchester United fans feeling following the 4-1 defeat to Cesc Fabregas' side? Was Bruno Fernandes right to speak out in the way he did? And can Michael Carrick survive this?

They also discuss who the fanbase feel is the right person to rescue them from this situation... if anyone.

Listen to the podcast by pressing the play button above, or on BBC Sounds here. You can also watch on BBC iPlayer here and on the BBC Football YouTube channel here, external