Manchester United head coach Michael Carrick and captain Bruno Fernandes have held face-to-face talks following the midfielder's surprise omission from the squad's starting lineup against Bournemouth.
Fernandes was an unused substitute throughout United's 3-0 defeat to Bournemouth on Sunday after publicly questioning Carrick's tactical approach following the club's 4-1 Champions League loss to Como.
The meeting took place at Manchester United's Carrington training ground on Tuesday, with the two understood to have discussed the situation and agreed to move forward as the club attempts to halt its poor run of form.
Fernandes Expected Back Against Chelsea
According to reports from Sky Sports and Fabrizio Romano, Fernandes is now expected to return to contention for United's Premier League trip to Chelsea on Saturday.
Sky Sports reports that Carrick and Fernandes had an open and frank discussion, with the manager satisfied that the tension between the pair has been addressed. It remains unclear whether Fernandes apologised for his earlier public criticism.
Fernandes has also reportedly returned to his normal routine at Carrington, with Sky Sports reporting that he has been "back to his best" in training over the past 48 hours.
The Portugal international's return would provide Carrick with another major attacking option as United travel to Stamford Bridge under significant pressure.
Why Was Fernandes Dropped?
The disagreement followed United's 4-1 defeat to Como in the Champions League.
After the match, Fernandes questioned the team's decision not to press Como more aggressively. He argued that allowing the Italian side too much possession and space gave them confidence and made it more difficult for United to regain control of the game.
Asked whether the tactical decisions were responsible for the defeat, Fernandes said the matter was for the manager and coaching staff to assess.
Carrick subsequently left his captain on the bench against Bournemouth, although the United head coach insisted the decision was made for footballing reasons rather than as punishment.
"Picking the team is always a difficult decision," Carrick said after the Bournemouth defeat. He added that the staff had to select what they believed was the right team to produce the desired performance.
Harry Maguire wore the captain's armband against Bournemouth while Fernandes watched the entire match from the bench.
Carrick Confirms Fernandes Remains Captain
Despite the disagreement, Carrick has made clear that Fernandes remains Manchester United captain.
At his pre-match press conference ahead of the Chelsea game, Carrick was asked whether there had been a decision on Fernandes retaining the armband.
"There’s no decision to be made on that," Carrick said.
Carrick also described Fernandes as fully committed to Manchester United and said the midfielder remained an important player for the squad.
"He is fully committed to make things better," Carrick said, adding that Fernandes would continue to lead the team.
The comments suggest that the disagreement has not resulted in any change to Fernandes' position within the squad.
United Need a Response at Stamford Bridge
The timing of the reconciliation is important for United.
Carrick's side have endured an eight-game winless run across all competitions, with the Bournemouth defeat increasing pressure on the manager. United are currently 16th in the Premier League with seven points from eight matches and sit only one point above the relegation zone.
Chelsea, meanwhile, sit fifth in the league ahead of Saturday's meeting.
The match therefore represents a significant opportunity for United to improve their league position and ease some of the pressure surrounding Carrick.
The club's hierarchy has decided to give Carrick the opportunity to turn the situation around, despite speculation about his future following the Bournemouth loss.
Fernandes Remains Central to United
Fernandes' potential return is particularly important given his influence on United's attacking play.
The midfielder was instrumental in the club's successful 2025/26 campaign, setting a new Premier League record for assists and helping United secure Champions League qualification.
His absence against Bournemouth was therefore notable, particularly as United struggled to create enough attacking threat during the 3-0 defeat.
United will now hope the clear-the-air meeting allows both Carrick and Fernandes to put the disagreement behind them.
With the captain expected to be available for Chelsea, the focus has shifted from the internal dispute to the much larger issue facing the club: finding a way to reverse its poor run of results.
