Bruno outshines the big leagues' stars: Carrick puts him in the Old Trafford cell
Portugal's exclusion came after strong criticism he levelled at the style of play
Michael Carrick has dropped his captain. Manchester United face Bournemouth at Old Trafford on Sunday in the eighth round of the Premier League, and Bruno Fernandes will start on the bench. The decision lands just days after the Portuguese midfielder publicly questioned the team's tactical approach.
Never before has Carrick named a Manchester United Premier League line-up without Fernandes since taking charge last January. It is also only the sixth time in the player's career that he has begun a league match from the bench.
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Fernandes had torn into the team's style after the 4-1 defeat to Italy's Como in the Champions League. He argued that Manchester United failed to press man for man, dropping back to wait for the ball instead, which handed the opponent more space and confidence on it.
The numbers lay bare just how central Fernandes is to Carrick's attack. He has supplied 14 goals and created 96 chances since the English coach's first match in January, making him the most prolific creator and provider of assists in Europe's top five leagues over that period.
Carrick had been blunt after the Como defeat. Executing tactical plans demands that players run and move in both directions, he insisted, and the team will not win if its players refuse to commit to that.
