Dismal United crushed in Italian rain
A horror showing has left Michael Carrick hanging on by a thread tonight. A disjointed and lacklustre showing saw the reds concede early yet again. They fell apart after the break to let in another three. A late goal from Joshua Zirkzee was hardly a consolation.
Cesc Fabregas’ men were worth their win though. They looked organised and in control from the very start with pace and guile up front. He must be delighted with how they have started this campaign.
Michael Carrick was forced into a number of changes from the draw at Leeds. Leny Yoro was suspended after his red card at Atletico Madrid, whilst Lisandro Martinez, Marcus Rashford, and Ayden Heaven were missing with injuries. Matthijs De Ligt returned after an absence of 11 months due to a back issue, while Mason Mount and Matheus Cunha also came back in. The bench was notably lacking in experience.
The least that Carrick wanted was a repeat of what happened against Atletico. It was not as early, but still a dreadful start. Nico Paz was allowed too much space on three minutes to cut inside and curl one into the bottom corner. He almost got in for another a few moments later only for Matthijs De Ligt to come across and clear.
Utd were way off the pace and left chasing shadows for a lot of the opening period. Martin Buturina went down claiming a penalty. It was waved away.
The home side who are in their first ever Champions League campaign, continued to impress as the game went on. Anastasios Douvikas shot just wide from a tight angle after finding space in the area. The Greek should have done better near the end of the half following an excellent pass from Yan Couto. He skied his effort though.
The only surprise at half time was that we were just one down. Carrick looked stone-faced as the players trudged off in the lashing rain. It was a surprise when just two changes took place at the break. Perhaps a reflection of the lack of options.
It was the same result unfortunately in the second half. Paz caught out the United backline with a pass in the direction of Douvikas. He took a touch before thumping his shot past Senne Lammens.
It got worse on 57 minutes. Sub Carlos Baleba conceded possession to the dangerman Paz. The Argentine took the ball from the half-way towards the box with no-one able to get near him. His blasted past Lammens for his second of the game.
Bruno Fernandes had yet another game with very little impact. He departed the match with twenty minutes left, head slung low, as he came off.
The home side made it four with 15 minutes left. It was far too easy for Jacobo Ramon to rise to meet a cross and head past Lammens.
A close range goal from sub Joshua Zirkzee was barely acknowledged by the players. By then, many of the travelling fans had left the ground. The final whistle was sweet relief from even more embarrassment. It is hard to see Carrick surviving this current run of results. It remains to be seen if he is still in charge when Bournemouth visit us on Sunday. Como will hope to move into the top four when they take on Sassoulo.
Como: Jean Butez, Yan Couto (Ivan Smolcic 80), Jacobo Ramon, Marc-Oliver Kempf, Alex Valle, Luis Milla, Maximo Peronne, Lucas Da Cunha (Kaiki Bruno 69), Nico Paz (Samuele Ricci 80), Martin Buturina (Maxence Casqueret 64), Anastasios Douvikas.
Subs not used: Lorenzo Ginelli, Robert Sanchez, Alberto Dossena, Mattia Liberali
Booked: Marc-Oliver Kempf (84)
Sent Off: None
Manchester United: Senne Lammens, Diogo Dalot, Harry Maguire, Matthijs De Ligt (Harry Amass 79), Noussair Mazraoui, Mason Mount, Andrey Santos (Carlos Baleba 46), Youri Tielemans, Bruno Fernandes (Joshua Zirkzee 67), Matheus Cunha (Amad Diallo 46), Bryan Mbeumo (Shea Lacey 86)
Subs not used: Karl Darlow, Tom Heaton, Jack Fletcher, Tyler Fletcher, Jayden Kamason, Daniel Armer.
Booked: Andrey Santos (25), Carlos Baleba (50), Shea Lacey (86)
Sent Off: None
Referee: Sven Jablonski
Attendance:
Simply Red Man of the Match: Nico Paz
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