Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes has acknowledged that the club required a change of direction when Michael Carrick stepped in to replace Ruben Amorim as head coach, though he declined to elaborate on the specific reasons behind the decision.

Fernandes spoke to Sky Sports News after collecting the Footballer of the Year award at the Football Writers' Association ceremony, reflecting on a remarkable turnaround that has seen United climb from seventh place in the Premier League to third and secure UEFA Champions League qualification for next season.

"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."

Amorim was sacked in January, with United sitting seventh in the table. Carrick initially took charge on a caretaker basis before agreeing a two-year deal to remain as permanent head coach, with the club's formal confirmation of that appointment expected imminently.

A season transformed

The managerial switch proved a significant turning point for Fernandes personally. Caretaker boss Darren Fletcher restored him to his preferred number 10 position immediately after Amorim's departure, and Carrick kept him in that advanced role throughout the remainder of the campaign.

The results were extraordinary. Of Fernandes' record-equalling 20 Premier League assists this season, 13 arrived after Amorim left the club — making this the most productive campaign of his Old Trafford career.

"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."

Fernandes credited Carrick's measured approach for the upturn in form, adding that conversations between the two had set ambitious standards even while acknowledging results had not yet reached the heights both men aspire to.

"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," he said. "Since he came the results show we were one of the best teams in the Premier League."

Fernandes answers Keane's circus criticism

The Portuguese skipper also addressed pointed criticism from former United captain Roy Keane, who labelled the build-up to Fernandes' record-equalling 20th assist as a "circus act." The moment came when Fernandes set up Bryan Mbeumo for the third goal in United's 3-2 victory over Nottingham Forest on Sunday.

Fernandes, who could now break Thierry Henry and Kevin De Bruyne's all-time Premier League assists record on the final day of the season at Brighton, pushed back calmly on Keane's assessment.

"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."

With the record well within reach and Champions League football already secured, Fernandes will look to cap an extraordinary personal season when United travel to Brighton on the final day.