Como thrash Manchester United 4-1 as Carrick's winless run stretches to seven

Manchester United were beaten 4-1 by Como in the Champions League on Wednesday night, a result that leaves Michael Carrick under intense pressure and his side without a win in seven matches.

Nico Paz scored twice and provided an assist at the Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia as a Como side playing their first season in the competition, and only their third ever Champions League game, dismantled one of Europe's most famous clubs. BBC Sport called it one of United's worst European nights, and it is hard to argue.

United have three points from three league-phase matches. They have won just twice all season, against Sabah and Ipswich, according to Gulf News.

Behind inside two minutes again

The pattern was set almost immediately. Paz put Como ahead after two minutes, which meant United had conceded inside the opening two minutes of consecutive Champions League games, having done the same against Atletico Madrid.

If the first half left United with something to cling to, the second removed it. Tasos Douvikas doubled the lead in the 49th minute, Paz added his second in the 57th and Jacobo Ramon headed a fourth in the 76th.

Joshua Zirkzee pulled one back in the first minute of stoppage time, but by then the night belonged to Como. Sky Sports noted that the home side completed 594 passes, the most by any team in a Champions League game against United since Barcelona managed 725 in April 2019. That number tells its own story about who controlled the match.

United's winless run now stands at seven games in all competitions, made up of three draws and four defeats, according to Sky Sports.

Carrick angry, Fernandes points at the plan

Carrick did not hide his feelings afterwards. "I'm really angry but you've got to move on and deal with what's next," he said. "At this moment in time, there's a lot to do before the next game to get the team ready, because that was a difficult night for everybody."

Asked about his own position, the manager turned the focus on to the club rather than himself. "It's not about playing for me - it's about playing for this club. My whole life's wrapped around it. I genuinely give everything I possibly can. It's not about me, it's about what we all give."

His assessment of the performance was blunt. "There's a little bit of whatever system you play, whatever tactics you play, if you don't run, and you don't run forward, and you don't run back, you aren't going to win."

Bruno Fernandes offered a different reading, and one that will not make comfortable listening for the coaching staff. "It's a decision from the staff to not press man to man and sometimes leave space behind and try to get the ball," Fernandes said, "but sometimes when you give space to these teams they get confidence."