Como 4-1 Manchester United: Carrick’s side suffer Champions League humiliation

Manchester United’s difficult European campaign took a fresh turn for the worse as Como delivered a 4-1 defeat that placed further pressure on manager Michael Carrick.

The Italian team took control almost immediately, with Nico Paz opening the scoring after only 118 seconds. The Argentina international played a central part in Como’s victory, scoring twice and helping his side establish a four-goal lead.

United had conceded inside the first minute against Atletico Madrid eight days earlier. Their latest setback meant they became the first English side to concede within the opening two minutes of consecutive major European fixtures.

Como’s rise was illustrated by the contrast between the clubs’ histories. When Manchester United last won the Champions League in 2008, Como were playing in Serie D, the fourth tier of Italian football. On this occasion, however, it was the hosts who controlled the match and exposed United’s shortcomings.

Paz added a second before creating Como’s next goal for Tasos Douvikas. Jacobo Ramon then headed in to make it 4-0, leaving Manchester United at risk of equalling their heaviest defeat in European competition a 5-0 loss to Sporting in 1964.

Carrick responded at half-time by replacing Matheus Cunha and Andrey Santos. The two players represented a combined £110m investment by Ineos.

Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes was also withdrawn during the second half, with Joshua Zirkzee coming on in his place.

United eventually found a consolation goal in stoppage time. Zirkzee broke beyond the Como defence and kept his composure to finish from Amad Diallo’s cross, but his effort offered little relief on an otherwise damaging night.