Michael Carrick refuses to be drawn on response to Bruno Fernandes outburst

Michael Carrick (right) says he will do ‘what’s best’ for Manchester United over the midweek outburst by Bruno Fernandes (right), (Martin Rickett/PA).

Michael Carrick pledged to “always do what’s best for the football club” when quizzed about Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes’ outburst after the loss to Como.

Neither the skipper nor team have got anywhere near the heights they scaled at the start of the year, with the 32-year-old’s frustration palpable during his underwhelming performances.

Fernandes was taken off in the second half of Wednesday’s humiliating 4-1 loss at Champions League upstarts Como and appeared to hit out at manager Carrick’s approach afterwards.

The Portugal international is expected to avoid disciplinary action for the comments as United turn their attention to Sunday’s key Premier League match against Bournemouth.

“The most important thing for me is the team, first and foremost,” Carrick said. “It’s the squad, it’s the dynamics in the squad.

“And, again, it’s about the football club and I always do what’s best for the football club.”

Asked if he would consider taking the captaincy off Fernandes, he said: “I’m just saying I’ll always, whatever the situation is, I’ll always do what’s best for the football club.”

Carrick insisted the dressing room was “not divided” as Fernandes’ eye-catching comments followed last week’s blistering attack on the club hierarchy by Lisandro Martinez.

“It’s not divided,” he said. “We just need to get back to doing what we do best, and we will.”

Martinez missed the trip to Como through injury and Fernandes’ house was subject of a break-in while he was in Italy.

The Press Association understands that the skipper’s family were not in the house at the time and police quickly attended the scene, with United supporting their skipper.

United boss Carrick said: “It’s an awful thing to hear about and to go through.

“We are obviously doing a lot of work to support Bruno and his family.

“Thankfully, they weren’t directly affected, even though it’s an awful situation, so, I’m not playing it down in any way. We’re doing everything to support them.”