With the Alps visible nearby and George Clooney’s villa only a boat trip away, Manchester United arrived hoping their dreadful opening to the season would not deteriorate further.
Instead, the situation became even worse for both the team and Michael Carrick’s position. On the shores of Lake Como, the three-time European champions were humiliated by Cesc Fàbregas’s tournament newcomers, suffering their heaviest continental defeat since 1994.
The contest was effectively settled after 57 minutes, when Como established a 3-0 advantage. Nico Paz tormented Carrick’s side with an outstanding performance, scoring twice and creating Tasos Douvikas’s goal.
Como operated as a cohesive and expertly organised unit in both attack and defence, reflecting Fàbregas’s preparation. Carrick, meanwhile, increasingly resembles a manager struggling at the highest level after recording only two victories this season.
Como achieved the greatest result in their 119-year history despite their squad having made only 62 Champions League appearances, compared with United’s 242. Put simply, the Italian side looked vastly more mature than their opponents.
Inside a packed 13,602-capacity Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia, United were defeated by a club that promotes beautiful football in a spectacular setting. For the visitors, however, it proved to be a deeply unpleasant evening in Lombardy.
The problems began after only two minutes. United switched off and allowed Paz to curl an effort from the right beyond Senne Lammens, prompting wild celebrations among the home supporters.
United had lasted just a minute longer than they did before conceding in the previous week’s 2-0 loss to Atlético Madrid. They consequently became the first English club to allow a goal inside two minutes in successive major European fixtures.
The breakthrough followed a squandered opportunity for Diogo Dalot. Matheus Cunha lifted the ball towards the right-back, whose poor first touch ruined the initial chance. United recovered possession, but Dalot then sent his effort well wide.
That sequence captured United’s present difficulties at both ends of the field: they lacked basic execution. Another example followed when Paz accelerated beyond Noussair Mazraoui on Como’s right. Cunha tracked back but failed to halt him, and only Mason Mount’s intervention prevented the cross from potentially producing another goal.
Mount started beside Andrey Santos in midfield, with Cunha, Youri Tielemans and Bryan Mbeumo operating further forward and Bruno Fernandes again filling a role resembling that of a false nine.
Como controlled possession for long periods, meaning United needed to make every attack count. Mbeumo’s corner from the right offered no danger, failing to get beyond the first defender.
The hosts repeatedly broke through United’s defensive structure. When Martin Baturina received the ball inside the area and went down, Como appealed for a penalty, but referee Sven Jablonski rejected the claim.
The heavy rain that had fallen for almost 24 hours eventually ended, yet Como’s pressure continued without interruption. Whether attacking or pressing, the home side moved collectively, while United’s attempts to close down possession involved only isolated players. Fàbregas’s team, by contrast, pursued the ball together.
Another alarming moment arrived when Douvikas escaped behind the defence before falling under pressure from Lammens, although the offside flag had already been raised. United created almost nothing, leaving Carrick with significant work to do at half-time. The absence of nine players through injury, suspension or illness did provide some explanation for their problems.
United’s limited options were underlined by Mathijs de Ligt starting alongside Harry Maguire in central defence on his first appearance for 325 days following a serious back problem. Tynan Thompson and Jack Fletcher were also named among the substitutes after representing United’s under-19 team earlier that day in a 2-1 Youth Cup loss to Como.
Carrick responded by replacing Cunha and Santos with Carlos Baleba and Amad Diallo. The changes moved Tielemans into central midfield, Fernandes into the No 10 position and Mbeumo to the front of the attack.
The adjustment did not work, as Como soon scored their second goal. Paz was given far too much time to send Douvikas through, and the striker advanced before firing powerfully beyond Lammens.
Only four minutes of the second half had passed, raising fresh questions about Carrick’s future before Como added two further goals.
Paz struck again first, gliding down the right before beating Lammens to make it 3-0. Como then cut through United once more in the 76th minute to claim their fourth.
Jacobo Ramón rose to meet Kaiki Bruno’s delivery from the left and headed into the net, completing United’s collapse. Many travelling supporters had already begun leaving in search of somewhere to forget the painful display. Josh Zirkzee scored during stoppage time, but even that could not provide meaningful consolation.
Carrick appeared every bit as defeated as his players at the final whistle. United host Bournemouth at Old Trafford on Sunday, but even if he remains in charge for that match, his longer-term future looks increasingly uncertain.
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