Bruno Fernandes: Why Michael Carrick must take Man United nuclear option

Michael Carrick is in desperate need of a solution to Manchester United's dismal form if he is to save his job, but his only option may be the most incendiary of all.

The Red Devils drew 1-1 with Leeds United on Sunday, marking a sixth consecutive game without victory across all competitions.

Carrick finds himself under huge pressure and has tinkered significantly with his midfield, electing to start Carlos Baleba and Andrey Santos behind Youri Tielemans at Elland Road while Kobbie Mainoo is injured.

Bruno Fernandes started on the left of the attack and struggled, as he has done for much of the new season so far.

The Portugal international scored nine goals and provided 22 assists across all competitions last season, breaking Thierry Henry's Premier League assist record in the process.

Yet Carrick must now decide whether the 32-year-old has become a burden for his team, with his job potentially on the line.

Bruno Fernandes drop must be Michael Carrick option

Injuries have not helped Carrick this season, but the Man United manager has struggled to find his best team, too.

Tielemans, Santos, Baleba and Mainoo have all been placed into the double-pivot, with no pairing standing out as a clear winner.

Ahead of them, Fernandes has started alongside, Matheus Cunha, Marcus Rashford, Patrick Dorgu, Bryan Mbeumo, Amad Diallo and Benjamin Sesko, with various combinations seemingly having little effect.

The one constant is the Man United captain, and at some point, the question must be asked - is Fernandes the problem?

Against Leeds, the 32-year-old took three shots and created a chance, but much of his game was spent complaining to the referee and engaging in spats with opposition players.

The Portugal international completed neither of the dribbles and neither of the crosses he attempted, completing just two of seven attempted long balls.

Usually so dogged in the duel, Fernandes won just one of his six on the day.

How could Man United set up without Fernandes?

Without Fernandes in the team, Carrick could afford to bring Cunha back into the team.

The Brazilian has been hard done by this season, and could well be a difference-maker for Man United.

Tielemans would drop back into the midfield alongside Baleba and Rashford could return to the left, with Benjamin Sesko's eventual return creating other alternatives.

Dropping Fernandes would be a significant risk for Carrick, but with his job in the balance, he has little to lose.