Forget Martinez: Carrick Must Drop Fernandes to Help Man Utd Win at Leeds

· GiveMeSport

It's a big game for Manchester United and Michael Carrick at Elland Road on Sunday

The scrutiny on Manchester United manager Michael Carrick is building, and he is under pressure to deliver a positive result against rivals Leeds United at Elland Road on Sunday.

After winning just two of their nine matches in all competitions this term, Man United and Carrick are in desperate need of two positive results - and ideally wins - when they face Leeds and Como in the space of the next five days.

While Red Devils chiefs continue to back the 45-year-old, according to GIVEMESPORT sources, they are also considering their options if a change does need to be made in the coming weeks.

GMS understands that Brighton and Hove Albion boss Fabian Hurzeler is an option for United , and would be the choice of director of football Jason Wilcox, while Christopher Vivell is pushing Julian Nagelsmann, as he has done previously.

Antonio Conte also has his admirers on the board and both he and Nagelsmann are available for nothing and could join immediately, while United would need to pay compensation to get Hurzeler out of the Amex Stadium.

United's current poor situation on the pitch isn't being helped by incidences off of it, with JJ Gabriel looking likely to secure a move away from the club having been considered one of their best academy talents for many years.

According to Fabrizio Romano, he is '95%' likely to leave with Real Madrid one of the frontrunners for the 16-year-old's signature.

Carrick's Record as Man United Manager

Meanwhile, Lisandro Martinez created further controversy when he publicly called out Wilcox for their lack of summer transfer business following the 2-0 Champions League defeat to Atletico Madrid during the week.

The Argentina international has since apologised and the club has drawn a line under the matter, with Carrick confirming in his pre-match press conference on Friday that Martinez will be available for selection for the trip to Elland Road.

The former Middlesbrough boss has a decision to make on whether he drops the 28-year-old or not, but he should also drop captain Bruno Fernandes to boost the club's chances of getting a win against Daniel Farke's side.

When you look at Fernandes' record of four goals and one assist in nine appearances this season, it looks quite impressive.

It looks a little less impressive when you consider that all of those goal contributions came in two matches, and in the two games they have won this season against Ipswich Town and Sabah.

Fernandes has gone missing in some of their other matches, and it was notable against Atletico that, even though he was playing wide on the right, he appeared a little unfit and fed up, and he was taken off in the 80th minute.

Bruno Fernandes This Season (Excluding Ipswich and Sabah)

With Leeds likely to line up in a 3-5-2 formation against United on Sunday, it is likely that Carrick will need legs and athleticism in the middle of the pitch if he is to match them and get a positive result.

One of the players who could bring those legs is Kobbie Mainoo, but he is a doubt for the clash, which gives his manager an important decision to make.

Carlos Baleba looks to be a shoo-in for his first Premier League start for the Red Devils at the weekend, but if Mainoo is out then Carrick must decide whether Youri Tielemans or Andrey Santos start alongside the Cameroon international.

If he picks the former, then United are likely to need more athleticism in central areas than Fernandes would bring, given the Belgian is known more for his technical ability, rather than getting around the pitch.

Fernandes may be captain but this United team in current form can't afford to carry players, and if the Portugal international isn't fully fit or tired, then he isn't the right man to start against Leeds.

It would be a brutal decision to drop him, but it could be the best option for the team to help them get the win at Leeds they so desperately need.

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