'Bruno Fernandes's as good as ever' - Michael Carrick backs Manchester United captain

Manchester United head coach Michael Carrick says captain Bruno Fernandes' commitment to the club is "undoubted" and the midfielder is "as good as ever".

Fernandes was left on the bench for October's home defeat by Bournemouth after criticising Carrick and his coaching staff in the wake of the 4-1 Champions League hammering in Como.

Restored to the team for the Premier League defeat by Chelsea a week later, Fernandes scored a retaken penalty to spark his side's stunning second-half comeback against Roma on Tuesday.

Portugal international Fernandes said afterwards there had been "a lot of lies" reported about his relationship with Carrick.

The 32-year-old rejected the notion there had been "clear-the-air talks" between the pair - something which had been confirmed by club sources.

"I think his actions, the way he's played and how he dealt with even retaking the penalty and frame of mind he was in for that, tells [you] everything," Carrick said.

"Bruno's as good as ever."
Carrick refused to discuss the detail of his conversations with Fernandes following the Bournemouth loss, but says discussions are part of everyday life at Carrington.

"There are always conversations, and bits going on," he said. "It's acknowledging when things are going well and what we need to improve on.

"Sometimes it's individually, sometimes it's [a] group. What's actually said in that discussion, I'll keep that to myself, but it's pretty clear we've moved in a good direction.

"Bruno's commitment is undoubted for me in terms of what he brings to this team and this club."

It is anticipated United's powerbrokers will assess the managerial situation after Sunday's Premier League game against Aston Villa at Old Trafford.

Carrick accepts he does not know what will happen but he will be aware that only one victory in nine games – against Ipswich in August – is not good enough. The victory over Roma must be the start of a recovery.

"While we can be really pleased with elements of the performance on Tuesday night, we must absolutely know there is so much more to come from our team," he wrote in United's matchday programme.

"We must be ready to show that we can back up Tuesday's victory and begin to create the momentum to give ourselves something to build on after the international break."

The grim reality of United's present position was made clear by Nottingham Forest's 3-1 victory over Manchester City. That result means that Carrick's side will spend the international break in the relegation zone if they do not beat Villa.