Bruno Fernandes sends Michael Carrick sack message after dramatic Manchester United victory

The Red Devils went into the Champions League clash off the back of a nine-match winless run that saw pressure pile on manager Michael Carrick, with most expecting him to be relieved of his duties following the 3-0 demolition by Bournemouth, which followed the 4-1 thrashing at Como.

He ultimately survived the sack and stayed on for another defeat, this time at Chelsea, and questions were being asked once more as United fell 2-0 down to the in-form Italian side inside 18 minutes at Old Trafford.

Matias Soule and Donyell Malen got the goals in an awful first half for the hosts, which was darkened by supporters throwing gold and green balloons and tennis balls from the stands onto the pitch in protest at the club’s plight, while colourful chanting was directed at the directors’ box, where Jason Wilcox and Omar Berrada sat watching on.

Victorious: Michael Carrick

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Captain Fernandes, who was dropped by Carrick against Bournemouth for criticism he made about the manager’s approach in the Como defeat, missed a penalty and cut a frustrated figure at times on Tuesday, but luck smiled down on the Portuguese as he was able to reprieve himself from the spot after an encroachment allowed him to retake his 12-yard kick.

Afterwards, the No8 insisted that Carrick’s job was not in question in his first interview since his Como comments.

"No, we don't need to save anyone's job,” Fernandes said.

"The club needed that win, the players needed that win. It's something that we needed as a group of players together with the staff.

"We've been working so hard to get out of this situation altogether. It's been tough, there's been a lot of speculation in the media, a lot of lies around many things that have happened in this club. Between me and the manager, that we had cleared the air, then after, nothing of that happened.

Mixed events: Bruno Fernandes

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"The manager took a decision of putting myself on the bench because I wasn't performing at that level. Everyone felt that it was a punishment for the words that I had. If it was, it was right.

"The manager is the one that makes the decisions. I have to accept them, I have to go forward with that. It doesn't change the belief I have in the manager, in the staff and every player that is in this club.

"It doesn't change my aim to win every game that I have ahead of me.