Bruno Fernandes questions Manchester United approach after Como rout as Rice earns Arsenal draw

Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes said his side lacked pressure and adopted a “mood of defeat” after conceding an early goal in their 4-1 Champions League defeat by Como, increasing the pressure on manager Michael Carrick.

Como took the lead after only two minutes and went on to dominate, with Joshua Zirkzee’s stoppage-time strike providing United’s only response.

“We started on the wrong foot and they scored very early,” Fernandes told TNT Sports. “There was not enough pressure on the ball and not many good movements off the ball. There were many things not going our way.”

He said the decision not to press Como man-to-man had allowed the Italian side to gain confidence.

“It’s a decision from the [coaching] staff not to press man-to-man and sometimes leave space behind and try to get the ball, wait for them, but sometimes when you give space to these teams they get confidence,” Fernandes said.

Asked whether that amounted to criticism of Carrick’s tactics, he replied: “That’s on the manager and staff to see, not me.

“Sometimes you have to be more brave under pressure, take the risk of pressing high and making them uncomfortable.”

United are now without a win in seven matches. Carrick accepted responsibility for the display, describing it as unacceptable.

“It was more than disappointing,” the 45-year-old told TNT Sports. “I think everybody’s got to take responsibility for that. I’ll take responsibility for the overall team and performance, it stops with me and I’m fine with that.

“But as a supporter of this football club, to see a performance like that is unacceptable, I have to say.”

He added: “It’s the motivation and the purpose and the intensity of a game of football that you have to bring. We didn’t bring that today. I’ve got to apologise for the performance.”

Fernandes said conceding so quickly had affected United’s mentality.

“Conceding early makes us go into the game with a mood of defeat,” he said.

United have three points from their opening three Champions League matches and next face AS Roma in the competition.

Rice rescues Arsenal in Munich

Declan Rice scored eight minutes from time to secure Arsenal a 2-2 draw at Bayern Munich in an entertaining match which began with Bukayo Saka leaving injured after 10 minutes, clutching his knee.

Eberechi Eze put Arsenal ahead in the 25th minute after running on to Martin Odegaard’s pass and finishing beyond Manuel Neuer. The goal was initially ruled out for offside before being awarded following a VAR review.

Harry Kane then sent Alphonso Davies through from halfway, with the Canada international beating David Raya in the 35th minute. Kane put Bayern ahead from the penalty spot in the 61st minute after Jurrien Timber handled, scoring his 58th Champions League goal.

Rice equalised after exchanging passes with Viktor Gyokeres before finishing past Neuer.

Real Madrid beat RB Leipzig 4-1 at the Santiago Bernabeu, although Thibaut Courtois made important early saves from Romulo and Christopher Nkunku.

Bernardo Silva opened the scoring in the 43rd minute after Maarten Vandevoordt spilled Federico Valverde’s effort. Arda Guler made it 2-0 seven minutes after half-time by meeting Kylian Mbappe’s header from Jude Bellingham’s cross.

Mbappe curled in Real’s third in the 83rd minute, Tidiam Gomis replied a minute later and substitute Yan Diomande completed the victory with a volley from Brahim Diaz’s cross.

Results elsewhere

Galatasaray beat Lille 4-2 after Yunus Akgun’s early opener was overturned by two Soriba Diaoune goals. Alexey Batrakov equalised before Lucas Torreira appeared to score from a corner, although the goal was later recorded as a Nabil Bentaleb own goal. Victor Osimhen completed the scoring with a strike from outside the box.

Inter Milan beat Shakhtar Donetsk 1-0 despite Alessandro Bastoni’s dismissal. Carlos Augusto scored in the 77th minute after controlling Henrikh Mkhitaryan’s long pass, eight minutes after Bastoni received a second booking for pushing an opponent away from the ball.

Aston Villa won 3-1 at Viking Stavanger through goals from Ross Barkley, Emiliano Buendia and Alysson, with Peter Christiansen scoring for the hosts.

Real Betis beat Feyenoord 1-0 through Isco’s 59th-minute penalty after a handball, while Club Brugge defeated Lens 3-0 with goals from Hans Vanaken, Joaquin Seys and Carlos Forbs.

LASK recovered from Luis Suarez’s early penalty to beat Sporting 3-2 in Lisbon. Christoph Lang, Sasa Kalajdzic and Krystof Danek scored for the visitors before Suarez added a second in the 89th minute.

Paris St Germain, Aston Villa, Real Madrid, Liverpool and Real Betis have all won their opening three Champions League matches and lead the standings.