Como deepen Manchester United crisis with emphatic Champions League victory

Como produced one of the biggest results in their history by beating Manchester United 4-1 on Wednesday, extending the visitors’ winless run to seven matches and increasing the pressure on manager Michael Carrick.

Nico Paz scored twice in a memorable individual performance, while Tasos Douvikas and Jacobo Ramon were also on target for the Champions League debutants. Joshua Zirkzee’s stoppage-time goal was United’s only response and prevented them from suffering their joint-heaviest defeat in the competition.

The result leaves Manchester United on three points in the Champions League, while Como move to six points after recording their second win of the league phase.

Carrick had already been under mounting pressure after United’s run of three draws and three defeats in all competitions gave them their worst start to a league campaign for 40 years.

However, his side offered little resistance in the wind and rain at the Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia, where they were comprehensively outplayed by a team that has risen from Serie B to Europe’s elite competition over the past three years.

Paz inspires Como

United had an early opportunity when Diogo Dalot’s effort curled narrowly beyond the far post, but Como immediately demonstrated greater attacking sharpness.

Paz opened the scoring inside two minutes after collecting the ball on the edge of the area, moving it on to his favoured left foot and guiding a composed finish into the net.

The goal highlighted defensive weaknesses that have troubled United throughout the season. They conceded inside the opening minute of last week’s 2-0 defeat by Atletico Madrid and have now kept only one clean sheet in 11 matches in all competitions.

Como grew in confidence after taking the lead, controlling possession and limiting United to no shots on target before half-time. Douvikas and Martin Baturina also threatened as the home side repeatedly found gaps in the visitors’ defence.

Carrick responded at the break by sending on Amad Diallo and Carlos Baleba for Andrey Santos and Matheus Cunha, but the changes had little immediate effect.

Three minutes into the second half, Paz played a through ball into the path of Douvikas, who lifted a first-time finish into the top corner to double Como’s advantage.

Como captain Lucas Da Cunha then missed the chance to make it 3-0 when he shot wide, but United soon fell further behind. Paz won possession from a hesitant Baleba in midfield, drove forward and finished calmly in the 57th minute.

He came close to completing his hat-trick when his curling effort forced a diving save from Senne Lammens, but Como scored again with 14 minutes remaining. Unmarked defender Ramon advanced into the area and headed in an inviting cross.

The fourth goal prompted supporters to leave the away end, with many missing Zirkzee’s late consolation in United’s only notable moment of the evening.