Michael Carrick Explains Why He Dropped Bruno Fernandes For Villarreal Win

“They are both fantastic players, that’s the beauty of having the squad we have,” Michael Carrick told BT Sport on his decision to drop Bruno Fernandes in Donny van de Beek’s favor for the Villarreal game.

“I have only been here 48 hours, there are decisions to be made but I was spoiled for choice. It is as simple as that.

“Five subs is a lot of substitutes in the Champions League and there will be a lot of players who play a big part tonight. Just because players are on the bench it doesn’t mean they are not important at all.

“Not one of the players have been at their best, there is no hiding from that,” Carrick conceded later.

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“But there is a team to be picked. I love Bruno, he is a fantastic player, he ran his socks off on Saturday.

“But it’s the job to pick the team and that is the team I picked. But that doesn’t mean Bruno isn’t important by any stretch.”

Bruno Fernandes has manifestly been in poor form in recent weeks. He did not score once for United in over two months, a spell that curiously coincided with Cristiano Ronaldo’s appearance in the team.

If we got Carrick’s message right, however, Bruno is more likely than not to return to the starting XI for the Chelsea clash this Sunday.