Bruno Fernandes benched as Carrick changes United side

Bruno Fernandes was named among Manchester United's substitutes for Sunday's Premier League meeting with Bournemouth at Old Trafford, with manager Michael Carrick saying the choice was based on football considerations. The selection came after the captain questioned United's approach in their midweek defeat at Como.

United lost that Champions League match 4-1 on Wednesday. Fernandes subsequently criticised the decision to defend deeper rather than press opponents more aggressively, arguing that the approach had given Como room and confidence.

Carrick rejected the suggestion that the midfielder's place on the bench was punishment for those comments. Before the Bournemouth game, he said the selection reflected the options available and the performance the team needed.

United seek response after winless sequence

Manchester United entered the fixture without a victory across their previous seven matches in all competitions. They had collected seven points from seven Premier League games and were 15th before the day's match.

Bruno Fernandes had been central to the club's stronger results last season, when United finished third. He recorded 21 league assists, setting a Premier League record, and received individual honours for his performances.

His contribution this season had been more limited, although he scored a hat-trick against Ipswich in August. According to statistics provider Opta, Sunday's selection was only his sixth appearance on a Premier League substitutes' list since joining United in January 2020.

Carrick made four changes to his starting team. Alongside Fernandes, Matheus Cunha, Matthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui moved out, while Ayden Heaven, Leny Yoro, Carlos Baleba and Amad Diallo came in.

Lisandro Martinez was also available among the substitutes after an injury forced him off at half-time in the previous weekend's draw with Leeds. Fernandes remained an option for Carrick to introduce during the Bournemouth match.

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