Harry Maguire starts as Bruno Fernandes dropped by Michael Carrick
Manchester United manager Michael Carrick dropped captain Bruno Fernandes to the bench for the Premier League fixture against Bournemouth on October 25, 2026. The tactical decision ends a nearly seven-year streak of league starts for the midfielder following a public dispute over team tactics.
Old Trafford Seeks Reset as Harry Maguire Takes Captaincy
Carrick selected Youri Tielemans and Mason Mount in central midfield while naming former club captain Harry Maguire to wear the armband for the Old Trafford fixture. The lineup adjustment follows an explosive midweek interview where Fernandes publicly assigned responsibility to the coaching staff for a lack of pressing during a 4-1 defeat to Como.
Bournemouth
clubThe selection shift occurs amid a difficult run of form that has left the 32-year-old without a goal in his last seven appearances across all competitions.
“Picking the team, the starting XI, you’ve got options to choose from and it’s always a difficult decision,” Carrick told Sky Sports when asked about the decision. “We’ve got to make what we feel is the right one for today, for the team and to try and get that performance that we want.”
“I don’t think there is any way that Carrick can start Fernandes today,” former Manchester United captain Gary Neville told Sky Sports. “It’s a direct attack on the manager. If you go back 25 years, these players would never be anywhere near the club, never mind the pitch.”
Reporting by Richard Jolly confirmed the developments from Old Trafford.
