Como v Manchester United: under-pressure visitors seek Champions League response

Manchester United will attempt to end a run of six matches without a win when they visit Como in the Champions League on Wednesday, 21 October 2026.

The 20-time English champions have collected three points from their opening two matches in the 2026-27 league phase, leaving them 13th in the table. Como are directly above them in 12th, also with three points.

Como are one of four clubs making their debut in the Champions League league phase this season, having qualified after finishing fourth in Serie A last term. Cesc Fabregas’ side began their European campaign with an impressive 4-1 victory over RB Leipzig on 10 September, before losing 3-2 away to Feyenoord Rotterdam in their next match.

They head into their first meeting with an English club after beating Fiorentina 3-1. That result moved Como up to fifth in Serie A, with 14 points from seven matches. They are the 12th Italian club to compete in the Champions League and will also face Lens, AEK Athens, Real Betis, Paris Saint-Germain and FC Barcelona in this league phase.

Manchester United opened their European campaign with a 4-0 win against Sabah but were beaten 2-0 by Atletico de Madrid last week. Their domestic form has been similarly disappointing, with a 1-1 draw against Leeds United leaving them 13th in the Premier League on seven points from seven games.

That result extended United’s winless sequence in all competitions to six matches, consisting of three draws and three defeats, increasing the pressure on manager Michael Carrick. However, United have lost only two of their past 16 matches against Italian clubs, winning 10 of them.

Como’s injury concerns include Trevoh Chalobah, who has a muscle problem, and Moise Kean, who is carrying a tibia injury. Assane Diao is unavailable with a thigh injury. Anastasios Douvikas, who has scored five goals in nine appearances this season, is expected to lead the attack, with Martin Baturina and Nico Paz providing creativity. Jacobo Ramon could start in central defence.

United will be without Manuel Ugarte, Patrick Dorgu, Leny Yoro and Benjamin Sesko, through knee, hamstring, suspension and tibia problems respectively. Ayden Heaven is ill, while Kobbie Mainoo, Luke Shaw and Lisandro Martinez are doubts with thigh issues. Martinez was substituted at half-time against Leeds because of a muscle problem.

Bryan Mbeumo is expected to start up front, while Noussair Mazraoui could replace Yoro.

Probable teams

Como: Butez; Couto, Chalobah, Ramon, Valle; Milla, Da Cunha; J. Rodriguez, Paz, Baturina; Douvikas.

Manchester United: Lammens; Mazraoui, Maguire, Martinez, Dalot; Santos, Baleba; Amad, Tielemans, Fernandes; Mbeumo.

The prediction is for a 2-1 Manchester United victory. The listed markets include over 2.5 goals and both teams to score at 1.50, a Manchester United win at 2.80, and the exact score of 1-2 at 9.00 with Betclic.