The former United midfielder said Bruno Fernandes “deserves respect” from his critics after “carrying the history of Man Utd on his shoulders” since his move from Sporting Lisbon. Herrera’s comments, published by the Mirror, come during a difficult run of results at Old Trafford.

Lisandro Martinez tore into the United hierarchy after a 2-0 Champions League defeat at Atletico Madrid, telling Prime Video that director of football Jason Wilcox had not done enough in the summer window.

“We need more and we need more ambition. We need to talk more about winning the Champions League, to talk about winning the Premier League,” the Argentine defender said, warning that “if you don’t change, next season it’s a big problem”.

Martinez released an Instagram statement the following day that stopped short of an apology, with Sky Sports reporting his future at the club was now in doubt and his contract set to expire in the summer.

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The result left Michael Carrick’s side winless in five across all competitions.

Keane: “Man United is a circus”

Roy Keane did not spare Fernandes or Harry Maguire in the aftermath. The former United captain accused his successors of being too distracted by their media work to pull Martinez into line before the outburst reached a live broadcast.

“Bruno, Maguire… they’re probably busy doing podcasts, I can’t imagine them pulling him,” Keane said, calling the club “a circus”.

Carrick stands by his captain

The head coach himself has pushed back against the criticism of Fernandes. Speaking the day before the Atletico defeat, Carrick said he was confident the Portugal international would rediscover his best form.

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“He’s done some incredible things for this football club and he will do the same in the future, there’s no doubt about it,” he said. “Sometimes, things don’t quite go for you, and sometimes you have a spell of that.”

United travel to Leeds United in the Premier League on Sunday.

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