Manchester United suffered a humiliating 4–1 defeat to Como in the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday, October 21, 2026. Nico Paz scored twice and provided an assist as pressure mounted on manager Michael Carrick ahead of United’s next Premier League fixture.
Manchester United’s difficult run continued after Como handed the English side a convincing 4–1 defeat in the Champions League.
The match took place at the Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia in Italy. Como dominated key moments and punished United’s defensive mistakes to secure an impressive victory.
Nico Paz was the star of the night. The Argentine scored twice and assisted another goal as Cesc Fàbregas’ side overwhelmed the visitors.
Joshua Zirkzee scored a late consolation for United, but it did little to change the outcome.
The defeat extended Manchester United’s winless run to seven matches across all competitions, increasing scrutiny of Carrick and his team.
Nico Paz Leads Como’s Attack
Como needed only two minutes to take the lead.
Paz collected a pass from Lucas da Cunha before curling a superb effort into the corner of the net. The early goal immediately put United under pressure.
United struggled to control Como’s movement and intensity. Although the visitors created occasional opportunities, they failed to make their chances count before the break.
The hosts returned from half-time with even greater purpose.
In the 49th minute, Paz turned provider. He played a well-timed pass into Anastasios Douvikas, who finished confidently to double Como’s lead.
Eight minutes later, Paz struck again.
The midfielder capitalised on a misplaced pass from Carlos Baleba, drove towards goal and finished calmly to make it 3–0.
United’s defensive problems were becoming impossible to ignore.
Jacobo Ramón Makes It Four
Como continued to expose gaps in United’s defence.
In the 76th minute, Jacobo Ramón rose to head home a cross from substitute Kaiki Bruno. The goal completed a dominant performance from the Italian side and left United facing a four-goal deficit.
United managed a consolation in stoppage time.
Zirkzee controlled Amad Diallo’s delivery and fired past Como goalkeeper Jean Butez in the 90th minute, with the goal confirmed after a VAR check.
It was a small positive on an otherwise disappointing night for the visitors.
For Como, the victory represented a major European achievement. The team combined disciplined defending with direct, effective attacking football to outplay one of England’s most recognisable clubs.
Why Manchester United Are Under Pressure
The result raised fresh questions about United’s performances under Carrick.
Their seven-match winless run across all competitions points to a team struggling to turn performances into results. The defeat also exposed weaknesses in midfield protection, defensive positioning and the ability to respond after conceding.
United’s problems were not limited to the scoreline.
Como repeatedly found space between the lines and attacked quickly when possession changed hands. United struggled to disrupt those moves, while individual mistakes made the situation worse.
The team also failed to respond effectively after conceding early. Instead of regaining control, United allowed Como to increase their advantage shortly after half-time.
Carrick now faces the challenge of restoring confidence and improving the team’s defensive organisation.
However, the result alone does not confirm that a managerial change is imminent. Any decision about his future remains a matter for the club.
What’s Next for the Red Devils?
Manchester United must quickly shift their attention to the Premier League.
Their next scheduled fixture is against Bournemouth at Old Trafford on Sunday, October 25. The match offers an immediate opportunity to respond to the European setback.
United will need a more organised performance, particularly in midfield and defence. They must also show greater composure in possession and take their chances when opportunities arise.
A positive result could help ease some of the pressure surrounding the team. Another poor performance, however, would intensify the questions facing Carrick and his players.
The Champions League situation is also becoming more demanding. United have collected just three points from their opening three league-phase matches, leaving them with significant work to do if they are to improve their position.
With more European fixtures ahead, dropping further points could make qualification for the knockout phase increasingly difficult.
Can Carrick Turn Things Around?
United’s response over the next few matches will be important.
The club needs more than a temporary improvement in results. It must demonstrate that the team can defend as a unit, control matches and recover when opponents gain the advantage.
Carrick will also need his senior players to provide leadership during this difficult period.
Como showed what a well-organised side can achieve when it presses aggressively and exploits mistakes. United must learn from the defeat rather than allow it to define their next performances.
For now, the immediate focus is Bournemouth. United need a response on the pitch, and they need it quickly.
