Manchester United's players acted like "babies" and Bruno Fernandes and Lisandro Martínez needed to examine their own conduct, Wayne Rooney said on Oct. 22 in comments reported by ESPN.
Michael Carrick was set to remain in charge against Bournemouth this weekend as he battled to keep his job at Old Trafford, ESPN reported. That concerned the coming match and did not establish a decision about his longer-term position.
Rooney's criticism covered the squad, but he also singled out Fernandes and Martínez. He said the pair needed to look in the mirror, putting their own behaviour at the centre of his criticism.
Como head coach Cesc Fàbregas said he regretted telling his players to slow down in the closing stages of their 4-1 victory over United. His regret concerned the instruction he gave towards the end of the match.
Fàbregas had also rejected suggestions that he could replace Carrick at United, calling them disrespectful on Oct. 20. His comments addressed speculation about the United job while he was coaching Como.
Before the teams met, Fàbregas described hosting United in Wednesday's Champions League group game as a "dream come true" opportunity. He made those comments on Oct. 19, before the victory he later discussed.
Manchester City coach Enzo Maresca said Erling Haaland was available for Saturday's trip to Aston Villa. Maresca also said three other players remained doubtful, leaving their availability unresolved in his assessment before the match.
Maresca's comments put Haaland among the players available for the Villa trip. Availability did not amount to a statement from the coach that the striker would start the game.
Real Madrid coach José Mourinho said his team would have 24 hours less rest than Barcelona before Sunday's Clásico, the meeting between the two clubs. He raised the difference after Madrid's victory over Leipzig.
Mourinho's complaint concerned the time between matches ahead of the Barcelona game. He compared the two teams' rest periods rather than announcing a change to Madrid's selection.
Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane said he would prefer to know in advance whether he had won the Ballon d'Or, football's individual award. He said he still did not know the outcome ahead of Monday's announcement.
Kane's comments concerned the wait for the decision, without disclosing a result. Separately, Bayern coach Vincent Kompany had a viral infection affecting his legs and was doubtful to attend Wednesday's Champions League home game against Arsenal.
