Michael Carrick told Man Utd squad revolt 'wouldn't have happened' under Sir Alex Ferguson

· Mirror

Sir Alex Ferguson ruled Manchester United with an iron fist during his 26 years in charge at Old Trafford and is witnessing a squad revolt under Michael Carrick

Owen Hargreaves is convinced that Sir Alex Ferguson would bomb Bruno Fernandes out of the team if he were still Manchester United manager. The former United midfielder reckons Fernandes' remarks after their loss to Como would have proved fatal under Ferguson's reign.

Hargreaves went so far as to suggest he would not have dared make such comments in the first place, knowing what the repercussions would be. Fernandes will seemingly escape any punishment for questioning Carrick's approach following their Champions League defeat.

The Portugal international retains the club captaincy. He also looks set to feature for United against Bournemouth at Old Trafford on Sunday.

Hargreaves was questioned on TNT Sports about who he would direct his frustration towards as a player in such circumstances. He said: "To be fair, I would have never looked at my manager.

> "First of all, you would have never said that under Sir Alex because you would never have played again for the football club. Second of all, you've got to look at yourself first.

> "Not one Man United fan thinks Manchester United should be competing for the Premier League, not one. But the best you can do is put your best effort in every game, every time you step out there."

Fernandes told the same broadcaster on Wednesday evening: "It's a decision from the staff not to press man-to-man and sometimes leave space behind and try to get the ball."

When pressed on whether Carrick had misjudged his tactics, he said: "That's on the manager and staff to see it, not me."

Questioned over whether the remarks could prove divisive, Carrick said at Friday's pre-match press conference: "The most important thing for me is the team, first and foremost, the squad, the dynamics in the squad. Again, it's about the football club. I'll always do what's best for the football club."

Pressed on the dressing room atmosphere, Carrick was emphatic: "It's not divided, no. It's not divided. We just need to get back to doing what we do best, and we will."

He was also quizzed on whether the club might contemplate removing the captaincy from Fernandes as a consequence. Carrick responded: "I'm just saying, whatever the situation is, I'll always do what's best for the football club."

United's head coach declined to confirm whether he had held talks with Fernandes: "If I've spoken to him or haven't spoken to him, I don't think this is the time to go into too much detail."

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