The difficulties faced by Manchester United intensified following a disappointing 4-1 loss to Como in the Champions League on Wednesday. This result placed additional strain on the manager, Michael Carrick.
Debutants Como secured a memorable victory thanks to a brilliant brace from Nico Paz, while Tasos Douvikas and Jacobo Ramon also scored goals for the Italian side. Only a late goal from Joshua Zirkzee prevented United from suffering their heaviest defeat in the competition, extending their winless streak to seven matches.
United's manager, Carrick, is facing increasing pressure after a poor run that included three draws and three losses across all competitions, marking their worst start to a league campaign in 40 years. However, the lackluster Red Devils squad could not mount a counterattack amidst the wind and rain in northern Italy, being thoroughly outperformed to remain on three points in the Champions League.
Cesc Fabregas's team has experienced a remarkable ascent from Serie B to Europe's top club competition over the past three years, and their dismantling of the three-time European champions is set to be remembered as one of the greatest achievements in club history.
The Argentina international, Paz, illuminated the Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia with excellent individual efforts on both sides of Douvikas's precise finish, before Ramon's header sealed the rout as Como claimed its second win in the league phase, moving to six points.
Given that both teams are dealing with numerous injuries, a significant surprise occurred in Carrick's lineup when defender Matthijs de Ligt returned for his first match in eleven months after recovering from injury, replacing the suspended Leny Yoro.
Diogo Dalot had an early opportunity to score when his shot curved just inches from the far post, but Como immediately capitalized on the other end, demonstrating superior attacking sharpness.
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Paz received the ball near the penalty area, skillfully shifted it onto his preferred left foot, and slotted it home to give the hosts a fantastic start within two minutes. This highlighted recurring weaknesses for United, who conceded early in their 2-0 defeat against Atletico Madrid last week and currently possess only one clean sheet in 11 games this season across all tournaments.
As Como took the lead, their self-assurance increased, leading them to dominate possession and restrict the aimless United to having no shots on target before the break, even while posing threats themselves through Douvikas and Martin Baturina.
During halftime, Carrick made two substitutions in an attempt to revitalize the slow performance, bringing on Amad Diallo and Carlos Baleba to replace Andrey Santos and Matheus Cunha. Nevertheless, the team was caught unprepared once more when Paz threaded a pass into Douvikas's path, allowing the Greece international to fire a first-time shot into the top corner three minutes into the second half.
Como captain Lucas Da Cunha missed a promising chance to extend the lead by shooting wide. However, the home supporters did not have to wait long to cheer again, as Paz intercepted the ball from a hesitant Baleba in midfield before driving forward and scoring calmly in the 57th minute.
A stunned United defense nearly conceded a fourth goal when Paz, aiming for a hat-trick, unleashed a curling shot that was saved by a diving Senne Lammens. The number four arrived with 14 minutes remaining when the unmarked centre-back Ramon advanced to head home an inviting cross. This moment prompted an exit of fans in the away section, who missed substitute Zirkzee's strike in stoppage time, which represented United's sole positive moment of the evening.
