Manchester United’s woes deepened on Wednesday night as they suffered a humiliating 4-1 Champions League defeat to Como, intensifying the scrutiny on embattled manager Michael Carrick.
Inspired by a stunning brace from Nico Paz, debutants Como recorded a historic victory, with Tasos Douvikas and Jacobo Ramon also getting on the scoresheet for the Italian side.
A late consolation goal by Joshua Zirkzee prevented United from equalling their heaviest loss in the competition, but it did little to mask the ongoing crisis, with the team’s winless streak now at seven matches. Carrick’s position looks increasingly precarious after United’s worst start to a league season in four decades, following three draws and three defeats across all competitions.
On a blustery night in northern Italy, United’s lacklustre performance left them stranded on just three points in the group, as they were thoroughly outplayed by Cesc Fabregas’s Como. The Italian side, who have enjoyed a meteoric rise from Serie B to the Champions League in just three years, produced a performance that will be remembered as perhaps the greatest in their history.
Argentina’s Paz illuminated the Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia with two brilliant solo goals, either side of Douvikas’s clinical finish. Ramon capped off the rout with a header, securing Como’s second win of the group stage and moving them up to six points.
Both teams were depleted by injuries, with United handing Matthijs de Ligt his first appearance in 11 months, filling in for the suspended Leny Yoro. United started brightly, with Diogo Dalot narrowly missing an early chance, but Como soon took control. Paz opened the scoring inside two minutes, exposing United’s persistent defensive vulnerabilities, which have seen them keep just one clean sheet in 11 games this season.
Como grew in confidence, dominating possession and limiting United to no shots on target before halftime. Carrick introduced Amad Diallo and Carlos Baleba after the break in hopes of sparking a turnaround, but the changes made little impact. Paz set up Douvikas for Como’s second just three minutes into the second half, and after Lucas Da Cunha missed a chance to add a third, Paz punished United again by coolly finishing after winning the ball in midfield.
The home side continued to threaten, with Paz denied a hat-trick by a fine save from Senne Lammens, but Ramon’s unmarked header made it four with 14 minutes remaining. Disheartened United fans began leaving before Zirkzee’s stoppage-time goal offered a small consolation on a night to forget for the visitors.
