Tactical row at Man Utd: Is Carrick right, or Fernandes?

Manchester United lost 4-1 away at Como in the Champions League and have now gone seven matches without a win. After the game, captain Bruno Fernandes openly criticised manager Michael Carrick's tactical choices.

Fernandes said the team gave the opposition too much space and time. He pointed to the coaching staff's decision not to press man-to-man as the reason. According to the captain, leaving the ball to the opponent boosts their confidence, while United's players end up running a lot and getting tired.

The numbers partly back Fernandes up. Como reached 600 passes, the highest number by any opponent against United this season. The three matches with the most passes against United were also the last three, against Como, Atletico Madrid and Leeds. This period coincides with Carrick's effort to build a more compact and solid defence. United, who drew 1-1 with Leeds and lost 2-0 to Atletico Madrid, showed signs of improvement in their defensive structure in those matches. No such structure was seen at Como.

However, Como's chances did not come from long spells of passing. The longest sequence that ended in a shot was 13 passes, and it led to the fourth goal. The longest sequence against United this season was Fulham's 45 passes in September. Como picked their moment and opened up the defence easily. Fernandes' remark that Como were an example in pressing is also not supported by the the Italian side won the ball back in the attacking zone five times, United four.