Carrick and Fernandes hold clear-the-air talks

Carrick and captain Fernandes met privately at Carrick's training ground on Tuesday after Fernandes was benched for Sunday's 3-0 loss to Bournemouth.

Manchester United head coach Michael Carrick and captain Bruno Fernandes held clear-the-air talks at the club's training ground on Tuesday. Fernandes, 32, was dropped to the bench for Sunday's 3-0 defeat by Bournemouth after criticising Carrick's tactics following the 4-1 Champions League loss to Como. Sources told BBC Sport the pair spoke privately, though it is unclear who initiated the meeting.

Fernandes could return to the starting line-up for Saturday's Premier League trip to Chelsea (12:30 GMT). Carrick survived the threat of the sack after the Bournemouth result and will take charge at Stamford Bridge, with United's board deciding the 45-year-old deserved the chance to turn things around despite the club sitting 16th in the Premier League. Midfielder Kobbie Mainoo returned to training on Wednesday after two weeks out with injury.