Fernandes needs to leave Europe – Scholes

Manchester United legend Paul Scholes says Bruno Fernandes can no longer be trusted as captain and should leave European football for Saudi Arabia after his public criticism of manager Michael Carrick.

Scholes’ attack came after Fernandes questioned Carrick’s tactics following United’s humiliating 4-1 Champions League defeat to Como last Wednesday.

Asked if Carrick made a mistake tactically, Fernandes said: “That’s for the manager and staff to see, not me.”

The comments infuriated Scholes, who called them “unforgivable” on his podcast The Good, The Bad & The Football with Nicky Butt.

“What Bruno Fernandes said last week, I think is inexcusable,” Scholes said.

“How can Bruno Fernandes be trusted to be the captain of any team he goes to now? I think he probably needs to get away from European football and go to Saudi Arabia, just get out of the way. I don’t think any coach, any staff member can trust him after that.”

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Carrick immediately left out his captain in Sunday’s 3-0 home defeat to Bournemouth. It was the first time in years that Fernandes was an unused substitute.

Butt, Scholes’ co-host, added that Fernandes has put his legacy at Old Trafford at risk.

Fernandes, 32, is in the final year of his contract and United have a 12-month extension option. The club are now reportedly considering a sale next summer, with Atletico Madrid monitoring their situation and Al-Hilal offering £700k a week last summer.

This is a complete U-turn on Scholes’ position last season, when he insisted United must retain Fernandes and build the team around him.

United are in crisis: eighth in the Premier League and winless in three Champions League games under interim manager Carrick, who replaced Ruben Amorim earlier this month.