Manchester United endured yet another heavy loss as Cesc Fàbregas’ Como secured a dominant 4-1 Champions League win against Michael Carrick’s depleted squad. Nico Paz scored a brace, with Anastasios Douvikas and Jacobo Ramón also getting on the scoresheet to cap a dreadful night for the away side.
Joshua Zirkzee pulled one back late on, but his strike barely masked United’s difficulties. Como’s relentless attacking play and knack for punishing defensive errors proved crucial, leaving the Italian club sixth in the table while Manchester United sit 20th following three fixtures.
Nico Paz puts Como ahead early
Como made their intent clear straight away, with Paz breaking the deadlock in the third minute. The Argentine capitalised on Harry Maguire and Matthijs de Ligt being caught too far back inside the box, locating the room to slot home a clinical finish and give the hosts the lead.
United found it difficult to build any momentum throughout the opening period. Their threadbare defensive and midfield resources were plain to see as Como pushed forward with aggression, leaving Carrick’s men lacking the physical strength and calmness required to hit back effectively.
Even with the early goal against them, Manchester United kept Como from adding to their tally before the break. Still, the visitors showed few signs that they were capable of reversing the situation in the second half.
Anastasios Douvikas extends Como’s lead
Carrick tried to alter the game’s direction at the interval, bringing on Carlos Baleba and Amad Diallo in place of Andrey Santos and Matheus Cunha. Those changes, though, did not generate the intended impact as Como swiftly turned up the heat.
A fluid one-touch sequence that started near the halfway line carved out the chance for the hosts’ second goal. Paz supplied the telling ball to Douvikas, who diverted it into the net to leave Manchester United with an even tougher challenge.
Como kept probing the visitors’ defensive frailties, with United unable to discover a dependable method of keeping their opponents in check. The second goal handed Fàbregas’ side greater command and left Carrick looking for solutions.
Nico Paz and Jacobo Ramón pile on the misery for United
Paz grabbed his second of the evening just before the hour, making it 3-0 with a cool finish past Senne Lammens. His positioning opened up the required room, and the keeper could not stop another Como goal.
Manchester United’s night got worse when Bruno Fernandes was replaced by Zirkzee after 67 minutes. The skipper left the pitch without much objection as his team laboured to produce any real reply.
With a quarter of an hour left, Como landed another punch. Kaiki benefited from a swift counterattack, while Maguire and a rusty De Ligt neglected to pick up Ramón, who was left free to convert and make it 4-0.
The fourth goal highlighted the defensive issues that had plagued United all evening. Como, for their part, kept making the most of the visitors’ errors and edged closer to a resounding win.
Zirkzee nets as Champions League table takes shape
United did manage to score in the 91st minute when Zirkzee turned in a lofted cross from Amad. The late strike provided only scant consolation following a display in which the visitors had been thoroughly outplayed for large stretches.
The outcome moved Como up to sixth in the Champions League standings, ahead of Manchester City on goal difference having scored one goal more. Fàbregas’ team had produced a statement result, while Carrick’s outfit was left to ponder another frustrating evening.
Manchester United now occupy 20th spot after one victory and two losses from their first three games. Their injury troubles formed a challenging backdrop, yet Como’s clinical finishing and talent for capitalising on defensive slips made the difference between the two sides unmistakable.