Carrick needs Bruno – but Villa could expose United

Merson says Carrick must keep Fernandes in the team and warns Sunday's Villa clash will test United's ability to sustain their Roma comeback form.

Paul Merson has praised Manchester United's character in their 3-2 Champions League comeback against Roma but warned that the result masks underlying problems under Michael Carrick.

Merson insists Bruno Fernandes must remain a regular starter, arguing he is United's best player and essential during difficult periods. He also challenged Matheus Cunha to find greater consistency, noting that while Cunha's passion is admirable, he cannot afford to fluctuate between outstanding and poor performances at a club of United's stature.

Looking ahead to Sunday's Premier League clash with Aston Villa, Merson questioned whether United can carry their momentum forward, emphasizing they need to become a more complete 90-minute team rather than relying on brief spells of good football.