Carrick Benches Fernandes for Bournemouth Game

Manchester United head coach Michael Carrick has named captain Bruno Fernandes among the substitutes for Sunday's home Premier League match against Bournemouth. Carrick said the decision was entirely about football.

Fernandes criticised the team's approach after Wednesday's 4-1 Champions League defeat away to Como. In his view, the side had given the opponent too much room and made a mistake by sitting back. Speaking to Sky Sports before the game, Carrick was asked whether Fernandes had been left out. He replied with two words: pure football.

The head coach said there were many options and that decisions like this are always difficult. Carrick said they had to do the right thing for today's match and get the performance they wanted from the team. Harry Maguire will wear the captain's armband in this game.

Fernandes argued that waiting for the opponent instead of pressing after a defeat gives rivals confidence. The Portuguese midfielder added that teams under pressure should be braver and press higher up the pitch. At his press conference, Carrick did not rule out disciplinary action when asked whether these comments would be dealt with.

Since Carrick took charge in January, Fernandes has provided more assists (14) and created more chances (96) than any player in Europe's top five leagues. United are currently 15th in the league table and have won only one of their last seven league games.