Manchester United lost 4-1 away to Como in the Champions League on Wednesday night, a result that leaves Michael Carrick's team without a victory in seven matches across all competitions, according to Sky Sports. Nico Paz scored twice and set up another goal for the Italian side, who were managed on the night by Cesc Fabregas. United have taken three points from their opening three league-phase fixtures.
Why it matters
The scale of the defeat sharpens the scrutiny on Carrick, whose side were outplayed for long stretches in Italy. Sky Sports reports that United were the first English club to concede so early in consecutive Champions League matches, having fallen behind inside two minutes once again. With the league phase now a third of the way through, United face an uphill task to qualify, and they return to Premier League action at home to Bournemouth on Sunday.
Paz punishes a static United
Paz opened the scoring in the second minute, curling a shot into the top corner after Harry Maguire allowed him room, per Sky Sports. The same outlet noted that Diogo Dalot had wasted a comparable chance at the other end moments earlier. Tasos Douvikas then blazed over from inside the box on 39 minutes, and United survived a scare when an offside flag went up after goalkeeper Senne Lammens brought Douvikas down.
Carrick made two changes at half-time, sending on Amad Diallo and Carlos Baleba for Andrey Santos and Matheus Cunha. Within four minutes of the restart United conceded again: Paz released Douvikas, who ran clear of Matthijs de Ligt and finished. Sky Sports reports that the match was De Ligt's first start in 325 days following back problems, with United dealing with a wider run of injuries.
Baleba then turned into trouble deep in his own half on 57 minutes, and Paz took the ball before scoring Como's third. Amad could not convert a clipped Bruno Fernandes pass at the other end, and soon after had a shot tipped over. Jacobo Ramon headed in a fourth for Como while unmarked, which Sky Sports described as underlining the gap between the teams. Joshua Zirkzee's goal in stoppage time changed little.
Fernandes criticises the approach as Carrick vents
Fernandes was again quiet, and Sky Sports reports he now has one goal involvement in his past nine appearances for the club. The BBC reported that Fernandes rounded on Carrick after the match, while The Guardian reported that the midfielder criticised United's tactics. Carrick, for his part, did not hide his feelings.
"I'm really angry but you've got to move on and deal with what's next," Carrick said, according to Sky Sports. "At this moment in time, there's a lot to do before the next game to get the team ready, because that was a difficult night for everybody."
He added that the job was not about him: "It's not about playing for me - it's about playing for this club. My whole life's wrapped around it. I genuinely give everything I possibly can. It's not about me, it's about what we all give."
Asked whether every player matched that commitment, Carrick replied: "I'd like to think so. I didn't like what I saw tonight though." Al Jazeera reported that Carrick said he was not worried about his position despite calling the loss unacceptable.
Pundits question how far United have fallen
Sky Sports pundits were blunt in their assessment. One said United remain judged by the era of Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo: "We're caught by 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."
The same pundit said the result did not surprise him. "I didn't expect them to beat Leeds. Absolutely not. I didn't expect them to beat Como. That's where they are."
Another said the warning signs were visible from the opening minutes. "It was one of those games where you know from the first minutes that United weren't at it. The body language from some of those players... you could tell Carrick was frustrated." He added that the performance had been coming and that "there will be speculation about how that changing room is feeling and whether Michael Carrick still has them on board."
A third summarised the wider concern: "Ultimately there's a lot more pressure on Carrick and his position at Manchester United."
United's travelling supporters watched the collapse in heavy rain in Italy, and Sky Sports noted that explanations for the performance may not satisfy them for long.
What to watch
United host Bournemouth in the Premier League on Sunday, a fixture Sky Sports will broadcast, before their Champions League campaign resumes. Whether Carrick's players respond, and whether the dressing room stays behind him, will shape the weeks ahead.
