Manchester United were in need of a change when Michael Carrick replaced Ruben Amorim as head coach, according to captain Bruno Fernandes.
United were sixth in the Premier League when Amorim was sacked in January and Carrick, who replaced him until the end of the season, has overseen an impressive run of results to clinch third and Champions League qualification.
Carrick has agreed a two-year deal with United to stay on as head coach and confirmation from the club of his permanent appointment is expected to follow.
Asked about Carrick’s impact after collecting his Footballer of the Year prize at the Football Writers’ Awards ceremony, Fernandes told Sky Sports News: “When the change was made we were not far from what we wanted [to achieve] this season. That was the top four.
“At the same time, it was in need of change by the club for different reasons – I won’t be naming them now.”
Michael Carrick presented Fernandes with his FWA Footballer of the Year prize
Fernandes was one of the players to benefit most from Amorim’s sacking, as he was restored to his favoured No 10 position immediately by caretaker boss Darren Fletcher, in charge for two games.
Carrick kept Fernandes in a more advanced role and 13 of the Portuguese’s record-equalling 20 Premier League assists came after Amorim’s departure in what has become his greatest season at Old Trafford.
“Michael came in with a big personality but also with a lot of calmness about what he needed to do to bring the best out of the team and he did it in the best way,” he added.
“For myself it was a great end of the season. I got to really enjoy the football I was playing and most importantly, the team was getting results.
“Me and the boss spoke before, and we said we can play better, we want to play better. We didn’t achieve the level we want to have but since he came the results show we were one of the best teams in the Premier League.”
Fernandes defends himself after Keane criticism
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Fernandes was gutted after Bryan Mbeumo denied him a crucial assist in his hunt to break the Premier League assist record
Fernandes also responded to former United captain Roy Keane’s criticism of his pursuit of the Premier League assists record by saying he always puts the team first.
The current United skipper set up Bryan Mbeumo for the third goal in Sunday’s 3-2 win over Nottingham Forest for his 20th assist of the season and now has a chance to break Thierry Henry and Kevin De Bruyne’s record on the final day at Brighton.
Sky Sports pundit Keane described the process leading up to Fernandes equalling the record against Forest, a game in which United were not certain of victory until the end, as a “circus act”.
Asked about the former United captain’s comments, Fernandes told Sky Sports News at the Football Writers’ Awards: “It is not something that I will ever chase.
“I know people can have different opinions about me, but they cannot say that I am not someone that looks to [help] the team and tries to make the team the most successful one.
“I will always try to win trophies and not individual accolades.”
