Como opened the scoring in the second minute, leaving United struggling to respond as the team conceded four goals. Joshua Zirkzee scored a stoppage-time consolation goal, reducing the margin of defeat but doing little to change the outcome.
Speaking to TNT Sports, Fernandes said United started poorly and failed to apply sufficient pressure on the ball or make effective movements off it.
“We started on the wrong foot, and they scored very early,” Fernandes said. “There was not enough pressure on the ball and not many good movements off the ball. There were many things not going our way.”
The United captain also pointed to the coaching staff’s decision not to adopt a man-to-man pressing approach, suggesting that allowing opponents space could help them gain confidence.
“It’s a decision from the [coaching] staff not to press man-to-man and sometimes leave space behind and try to get the ball, wait for them, but sometimes when you give space to these teams they get confidence,” he said.
Asked whether his remarks amounted to criticism of Carrick’s tactics, Fernandes said it was for the manager and coaching staff to assess the approach.
“That’s on the manager and staff to see, not me,” he said.
Fernandes added that United needed to take greater risks when playing under pressure rather than allowing opponents time and space to build their game.
“Sometimes you have to be more brave under pressure, take the risk of pressing high and making them uncomfortable.”
Carrick has faced increasing pressure as United’s winless run reached seven matches. The 45-year-old manager accepted responsibility for the performance while describing the result as unacceptable.
“It was more than disappointing,” Carrick told TNT Sports. “I think everybody’s got to take responsibility for that. I’ll take responsibility for the overall team and performance; it stops with me, and I’m fine with that.”
He also expressed his disappointment as a supporter of the club, saying the performance fell below acceptable standards.
“But as a supporter of this football club, to see a performance like that is unacceptable, I have to say.”
Carrick said the team had failed to bring the motivation, purpose and intensity required in a football match and apologised for the display.
“It’s the motivation and the purpose and the intensity of a game of football that you have to bring. We didn’t bring that today,” he said. “I’ve got to apologise for the performance.”
Fernandes also raised concerns about the psychological impact of conceding early, suggesting the setback affected the team’s approach for the remainder of the match.
“Conceding early makes us go into the game with a mood of defeat,” he said.
Manchester United have collected three points from their opening three Champions League matches and will host AS Roma in their next fixture in the competition. The defeat at Como has added to the pressure on Carrick, with the team’s results and on-field approach facing renewed scrutiny.
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