Fabregas says Como’s four-goal lead should have brought an even bigger Manchester United defeat

Cesc Fabregas admitted he regretted telling his Como players to ease off during their 4-1 Champions League victory over Manchester United on Wednesday.

Como were four goals ahead of Michael Carrick’s side when Fabregas instructed his players to conserve energy with their next Serie A fixture against Sassuolo scheduled for Saturday, according to the British newspaper Daily Mail.

Manchester United scored a late consolation through substitute Joshua Zirkzee, and Fabregas said he was frustrated with himself for allowing the visitors to reduce the embarrassment of their defeat.

“I regret the final 10 minutes because I was the one who asked the team to slow the game down as there was another match to play,” said the former Arsenal and Chelsea midfielder. “At 4-0, we could control things a little.”

He added: “I asked the players to stop running and stay in the middle. That is what I regret because I was the first person asking them to fight until the end.

“Their goal hurt me because we dropped our intensity and our defensive level, but it was my mistake.”

Fabregas nevertheless praised the way Como carried out his instructions for most of the match, particularly their approach without the ball.

“I am extremely happy with the way the players applied everything we had worked on,” he said. “Not only in terms of the quality, which was very high, but also in the way we pressed relentlessly until the 85th minute.”

The Como manager said the result represented another important step in establishing the club’s identity.

“We are trying to create a culture at the club, a style of play and an identity,” he said. “Tonight was another convincing moment for us.”

Fabregas also acknowledged the significance of defeating a club with Manchester United’s history.

“I cannot lie to you and say that beating Manchester United was not a source of pride,” he said. “We know the history of our club and how much it has suffered over the years.

“It is obvious that I hope all the boys and girls wear a Como shirt to school tomorrow. I feel proud.”

Fabregas urged his players to make the most of their careers, which he said would pass quickly.

“I always tell the young players: enjoy yourselves, fight, and do everything to achieve the best career possible for each of you, because it goes quickly,” he said.

He said the match had given him particular satisfaction because of the manner in which Como performed, rather than simply because of the scoreline.

“They made me enjoy the night, but not so much because of the win as because of the result,” Fabregas said. “They played the way I want my team to play: with belief, quality, a clear mind, aggression and fierce pressing.”