Bruno Fernandes: Ex-Newcastle boss explains why Carrick was wrong to drop Man United skipper

Former Newcastle United manager Alan Pardew stated that Manchester United manager Michael Carrick made a mistake by dropping captain Bruno Fernandes for Sunday's 3-0 Premier League defeat against Bournemouth. Speaking on The Final Word, Pardew argued that Carrick should not have benched the midfielder following Fernandes's criticism of tactical decisions after United's 4-1 Champions League defeat to Como.

Pardew noted that benching key players can backfire and recalled handling Joey Barton similarly at Newcastle before securing a win against Liverpool. Fernandes remained an unused substitute as Carrick introduced Joshua Zirkzee, Matheus Cunha, Lisandro Martinez, and Shea Lacey, leaving Manchester United sitting 16th in the Premier League table.