Michael Carrick’s Manchester United were torn apart by a horrific 4-1 defeat at Como in the Champions League as their miserable run of results extended to seven without a win.
The pressure continues to mount on Carrick and this United side as their start to the season goes from bad to worse – and they were humbled by a Como side who showed more intensity and quality in Italy on Wednesday night.
The first attribute should be a non-negotiable, but despite United’s enforcement being the focus, they once again outworked their opposition. Static in midfield, allowing Como players to run away from them, missing markers… it was a shocking display of United’s massive failures out of possession.
The tone was set in just two minutes when Man Utd went behind early – again. They are the first English team to concede so many goals in back-to-back Champions League games, and Cesc Fabregas’ impressive side have never been able to get to grips with them.
Nico Paz brought a lesson for the hosts. The talented Argentina international fired into the top corner when Harry Maguire gave him too much space and then went in for a third after holding on to Carlos Baleba.
Paz set up another Como goal four minutes into the second half, playing in Tasos Douvikas, who ran past a disoriented Matthijs de Ligt to find the net.
It was De Ligt’s first start in 325 days due to back problems and comes amid a wider range of injuries at the club. But the excuses for this United performance could wear thin quickly for the traveling support standing in the pouring rain to watch this demolition.
United’s own star Bruno Fernandes was anonymous again with just one goal in his last nine games for the club. His nod summed up the mood ahead of Como’s fourth, which saw the header of unmarked centre-back Jacobo Ramon underline the huge gulf between the sides on the night.
Joshua Zirkzee’s goal in injury time was of little consolation. Having collected only three points from the first three games, “United” is fighting hard to get out of the league stage in this competition. They need a better performance more immediately and win at home to Bournemouth in the Premier League on Sunday. Sky Sports.
Carrick ‘really angry’ at Man Utd performance
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Manchester United manager Michael Carrick admitted his performance in their 4-1 Champions League defeat at Como was “unacceptable”.
Head coach of “Manchester United”. Michael Carrick:
“I’m really angry but you’ve got to move on and do what’s next. There’s a lot to do at the moment to prepare the team before the next game because it was a difficult night for everyone.
“It’s not about playing for me, it’s about playing for this club. My whole life revolves around that. [Man Utd]. I really give everything possible. It’s not about me, it’s about what we all give.”
Asked if all players give as much as him, Carrick said: “I’d like to think so. Although I didn’t like what I saw tonight.”
Analysis: No shock to see Man Utd beaten
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Paul Merson criticized Manchester United, who lost 4:1 to Como in the Champions League.
Sky Sports’ Paul Merson:
“They need to start winning games. The problem with Manchester United is that we are still living in his era. [Wayne] Rooney, [Cristiano] Ronaldo and people like that.
“We’ve been caught because of the name – one of the biggest clubs in the world. But they’re not one of the biggest teams in the world. They’re far from it. Everyone judges them because they have superstars.
“I don’t see it as a shock. I look at their players and I don’t go, ‘oh that’s a surprise’. I didn’t expect them to beat Leeds. Absolutely not. I didn’t expect them to beat Como. That’s their place.
“Rooney, Ronaldo, [Roy] Kin… they’re a million miles away.”
Exciting stats for Man Utd
- Manchester United have not won seven games in a row (D3 L4) in all competitions for the first time since eight matches played between November and December 2015.
- “Manchester United” is the first English team to concede a goal in the first two minutes of major European games (47 seconds against Atletico Madrid, 118 seconds against Como).
- Comeau completed 594 passes tonight, the most in a Champions League game against Manchester United since Barcelona in April 2019 (725).
Highlights from Como…
2: BIG MISS! Diogo Dalot meets Matheus Cunha’s cross in the box, but his left-footed shot goes wide of the far post.
2: PURPOSE! Nico Paz turns Como’s opener into the top corner after Harry Maguire gives him too much space. A chance similar to Dalot’s – a different result!
17: WIDE! Harry Maguire heads in Bryan Mbeumo’s cross.
39: BIG MISS! Tasos Douvikas fires up after breaking into the United box after failing to take advantage of a static defence.
41: OFFIDE! Dismissal as Senne Lammens and Man Utd’s offside flag goes up against Douvikas after being brought down in the box by the keeper.
HT: SUBS! Michael Carrick makes two changes at half-time with Amad Diallo and Carlos Baleba sent on for Andrey Santos and Matheus Cunha.
Como players celebrate early lead against Man Utd in Champions League
49: PURPOSE! Man Utd also concede a goal early in the second half as Paz plays in Douvikas, who evades Matthijs de Ligt before firing over.
54: CLOSE IT! Lucas da Cunha looked poised to add a third when he fired a left-footed shot wide of the box.
57: PURPOSE! Baleba makes an ill-advised turn in his own half with no cover at the back and Paz picks up the ball and runs towards goal to add the third.
64: CHANCES! But Amad fails to connect with Fernandes’ cut pass to pull United back. After a few minutes, he sees the fire turning.
76: PURPOSE! Centre-back Jacobo Ramon swoops in to complete another sweeping Como move.
90+1: PURPOSE! Joshua Zirkzee came close to grabbing the last goal for Man Utd, finding the net after controlling Amad’s pass.