Manchester United head coach Michael Carrick has reaffirmed Bruno Fernandes' position as club captain, insisting the midfielder remains fully committed to the club despite their recent disagreements over the team's performances and tactics.
Fernandes was left out of the starting line-up for Sunday's 3-0 defeat against Bournemouth after publicly questioning Carrick's approach following the 4-1 Champions League loss to Como. However, the pair have since held discussions at Carrington, with the manager keen to put the situation behind them.
United's poor run has placed Carrick under considerable pressure, but he will remain in charge for Saturday's Premier League trip to Chelsea. Whether Fernandes returns to the starting XI remains uncertain, although his status as captain is not in doubt.
Bruno Fernandes remains Man Utd captain after Carrick talks
Carrick confirmed that there is no question of Fernandes losing the captaincy, describing the Portugal international as an important figure who will continue to lead the team.
"We are clear with the situation of the team, and as a football club," Carrick said. "He [Fernandes] is an important player for this group. He has been and he will be."
The United manager also dismissed suggestions that there were any lingering problems between himself and the midfielder, stressing that the decision to leave Fernandes on the bench against Bournemouth was made specifically for that match.
"He's fully committed to this football club; he's fully committed to making things better. There are absolutely no issues with that," Carrick explained.
He added that Fernandes had led the team successfully for many games and over several years, making it clear that he would continue to fulfil that responsibility.
Carrick explains Fernandes' Man Utd benching
The decision to drop Fernandes came after the midfielder questioned the tactics employed during United's Champions League defeat to Como. Carrick subsequently opted to leave his captain out of the starting line-up for the Bournemouth fixture, which ended in another damaging result for the club.
The two men met at United's Carrington training ground on Tuesday to discuss the situation and clear the air. Their conversation was intended to help both move forward following the disagreement.
Carrick maintained that the decision had been based entirely on what he considered best for the team against Bournemouth, rather than representing a wider breakdown in their relationship.
Fernandes' availability for the Chelsea match remains an open question, but Carrick's comments suggest the midfielder's leadership role has not been affected by the incident.
Michael Carrick refuses to seek Man Utd assurances
United travel to Chelsea, having gone eight consecutive matches without a victory, their worst run since the 2015-16 campaign. Another winless result on Saturday would leave them one game short of matching a sequence of nine matches without a victory, last recorded during the 1988-89 season.
Carrick's position became increasingly uncertain following the Bournemouth defeat, with almost 40 hours passing before the club clarified that he would remain in charge. Discussions involving the Glazer family, minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe, chief executive Omar Berrada, and director of football Jason Wilcox took place before the decision was confirmed.
The immediate expectation is that Carrick will also oversee next Tuesday's Champions League fixture against Roma and the Premier League meeting with Aston Villa at Old Trafford on 8 November, before the international break.
Despite the uncertainty surrounding his future, the United head coach insists he has no need for guarantees from the club's hierarchy.
"I don't need any assurances from anyone," Carrick said. "I totally get the position. I understand the job. I understand the responsibilities. I understand what comes with that. So, I really don't need any assurances from anyone in that regard."
Asked whether he was surprised to have kept his position following the defeat to Bournemouth, Carrick dismissed the suggestion.
"No. I'm here to do my job. I'm here to do the best for the team, and I'm desperate to make us better and improve things. So, I'm not surprised, no."