Carrick and critical Fernandes bury the hatchet at struggling Man Utd

Carrick and Fernandes have resolved their dispute after the captain was benched for Sunday's 0-3 loss to Bournemouth; Fernandes is expected to return against Chelsea.

Manchester United manager Michael Carrick and captain Bruno Fernandes have cleared the air following a public rift, according to English media reports. Fernandes had criticized Carrick's tactical decisions after the 4-1 Champions League defeat to Como, and was subsequently dropped to the bench for the Premier League match against Bournemouth on Sunday. Without their captain, United suffered a heavy 0-3 home defeat and have now slipped to 16th place in the table.

Carrick and Fernandes held what Sky Sports describes as a "good conversation," and the midfielder is expected to return to the starting lineup for Saturday's trip to Stamford Bridge to face Chelsea. The resolution comes as pressure mounts on Carrick's position, with United having won just once in the Premier League this season. Their last league victory came on 30 August against Ipswich Town, when Fernandes scored a hat-trick in a 5-2 win.