“Can always count on him”: Carrick purrs over unstoppable United star who ran the show in win vs. Villa

Manchester United caretaker boss Michael Carrick was full of praise for Bruno Fernandes after his dazzling performance against Aston Villa. Fernandes masterclass Fernandes ran the show as United put Villa to the sword in a 3-1 victory at Old Trafford on Sunday afternoon. Casemiro broke the deadlock in the 53rd minute when he headed home Fernandes’ brilliant corner-kick delivery. United were hit back shortly after as Ross Barkley capitalised on the hosts’ failure to clear their lines. However, United rallied and laid siege to the Villa goal, with Fernandes at the heart of everything. The Portugal international delivered a sublime ball into the path of the charging Matheus Cunha, who applied the finishing touch to restore United’s advantage. Benjamin Sesko then came on from the bench and added a third, securing all three points for the Red Devils. United remain in third position in the Premier League, three points above Villa and seven adrift of Manchester City in second place. Carrick spoke to BBC Match of the Day and gave his verdict on Fernandes and the result. Carrick’s verdict The 44-year-old coach said, “I was pretty happy with a lot of things. We looked a good team. Credit to them, they had a couple of spells in the game but for the most part we were dangerous.” “It was a big game coming off the defeat. The boys reacted incredibly well.” “Two good teams. It’s not always going to be all guns blazing, edge-of-your-seat stuff. We were in a good place at half-time and wanted a little bit more. We knew we were capable of it and the boys were fantastic to finish it off.” On Fernandes and Casemiro’s partnership, Carrick remarked, “They have a really good understanding between them. Some things you can coach, some things you can’t.” Carrick added about the skipper, “We’re delighted to have him. He’s proven over a period of time how impactful he is in the big moments. He’s there all the time, he puts himself forward in training and games.” “You can always count on him to be there. It’s a really good trait to have. He’s been through ups and downs here but it’s never knocked him. He was there today to make the difference.” Carrick was questioned about United’s being in pole position ahead of their top-four rivals. He answered, “We can enjoy winning. It’s a good feeling and something we want to keep getting used to. We are keeping a lid on it and understanding where we are and what it takes to win games like today. We are in a good position at the moment but still a lot to play for.” United return to action on Friday when they face Bournemouth. Feature image Lewis Storey via Getty Images The Peoples Person has been one of the world’s leading Man United news sites for over a decade. Follow us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social Derick Kinoti Derick Kinoti is a football writer at The Peoples Person who has covered Manchester United and the Premier League extensively for years. His work blends sharp analysis, tactical insight, and engaging storytelling that resonates with fans around the world. Derick has gained valuable experience in football journalism, developing strong expertise in SEO writing, digital content creation, and social media engagement. A tech enthusiast with a Computer Science degree from the University of Nairobi, he ultimately swapped code for football commentary, bringing an analytical, detail-oriented approach to his writing. Derick is convinced Wayne Rooney is the true GOAT and won’t hear otherwise!