Michael Carrick and Bruno Fernandes have held private talks at Manchester United’s training ground in an attempt to settle tensions before the team travels to Chelsea on Saturday.
The meeting followed a difficult week for United, with Fernandes left on the bench for the full 90 minutes of Sunday’s 3-0 defeat by Bournemouth. The captain had been dropped after publicly criticising Carrick’s tactics following the 4-1 Champions League loss against Como.
Sources told BBC Sport that the pair spoke at the club’s Carrington training ground on Tuesday. It remains unclear who initiated the conversation or whether Fernandes apologised for his comments.
The timing is significant, with United preparing for a Premier League trip to Stamford Bridge and the pressure growing on a team that has slipped to 16th in the table. Fernandes could return to the starting line-up against Chelsea, although Carrick has not confirmed his selection.
Carrick’s position had come under serious scrutiny after the Bournemouth defeat, with questions raised about whether he would remain in the job for the next fixture.
The club’s board has decided to give the 45-year-old an opportunity to turn the situation around. He is therefore set to lead United at Chelsea, despite the disappointing run of results and the public disagreement with his captain.
The dispute emerged after Fernandes questioned the team’s approach in the wake of the defeat by Como. His subsequent omission against Bournemouth added another layer to the story, with Carrick choosing not to bring the Portugal international off the bench even as United lost at home.
The private meeting offers an opportunity for both men to move forward, although the precise content of their conversation has not been made public. It is also not yet clear whether the talks included an apology or a formal agreement over how the disagreement will be handled.
Mainoo provides a boost
Carrick did receive more encouraging news on Wednesday, when midfielder Kobbie Mainoo returned to training after spending a fortnight out through injury.
Mainoo’s return gives United another midfield option ahead of a demanding away fixture. His availability could be particularly useful as Carrick attempts to stabilise the team following consecutive setbacks and resolve uncertainty around the captain’s role.
The trip to Chelsea now carries significance beyond the points on offer. United need a response after the Bournemouth defeat, while Carrick must show that he can restore confidence and keep the squad focused despite the questions surrounding his future.
Fernandes’ possible return would be a notable development after he was left unused at the weekend. Whether the talks have fully repaired the relationship will become clearer in the coming days, but both the manager and captain face pressure to put the dispute behind them and concentrate on improving United’s results.