Things went from bad to worse at Manchester United as their ‘fresh start’ under Michael Carrick began with a disastrous 4-1 drubbing at the hands of Como.
In the pouring rain, United capitulated under the pressure put on by Cesc Fabregas’ young guns and they were behind inside two minutes in what was the start of a very long evening.
Anastasios Douvikas got himself on the scoresheet, teed up by man of the match Nico Paz, who scored twice, before Jacobo Ramon compounded United’s misery with a fourth.
By the time Joshua Zirkzee held his run to stay onside to score a consolation in stoppage time, there was barely a flicker of a smile on the faces of anyone wearing United white.
At that stage, United’s wounded supporters had long left in their droves, furious at a performance that suggests this United group are only heading in one direction: backwards.
Daily Mail Sport’s NATHAN SALT gives his verdict on a truly hapless Manchester United performance in Italy…
Manchester United have a lot of soul searching to do after a shambolic defeat to Como
Nico Paz ran United ragged with a brace and an assist as United’s season gets even worse
Manchester United (4-2-3-1)
Senne Lammens – 4
What is he meant to do when those in front of him are so hopeless? The defence was about as solid as a house of cards in a gentle breeze. Genuinely hopeless and as long as that continues, Lammens is on a hiding to nothing.
Diogo Dalot – 3
Wasted a golden opportunity after a deflection fell at his feet in the box, shooting a whisker wide of the post. That proved costly when Como scored less than a minute later. Works hard and was willing at right back, where he started, and left back, where he went at half time. Some at United feel Dalot is unfairly criticised when the chips are down, but he was miles away from the required quality here.
Matthijs de Ligt – 3
His first United appearance in 325 days and there was so much hope that the Dutchman could pick up where he left off. The positive is that he came through it unscathed. By the time he went off, it was a disastrous night for United and De Ligt was far from blameless after losing sight of Douvikas before stumbling as Como made it 2-0.
Harry Maguire – 4
Made a super last-ditch, sliding challenge to deny a second goal but it all proved in vain. Maguire called out the team for not showing enough bravery away to Leeds and this as a response was disastrous.
He was the best of the back-line but that’s not saying much. Looks one of very few who can actually handle the pressure and navigate the storm now.
Harry Maguire called out the bravery of this team after Leeds and it didn’t have any impact
Noussair Mazraoui – 3
Ran ragged at both left back, where he started, and at right back, where he played in the second half. It was Mazraoui who was at fault for Leeds’ equaliser at the weekend and his press to close out in the lead up to Como’s second goal was dreadful. Looked like a rabbit in headlights by the time Kaiki, gifted the freedom of Como by Mazraoui, crossed in for the hosts’ fourth.
Mason Mount – 3
Has won this competition and has plenty of experience at the level but looked way short of the necessary quality required as this youthful Como team made him look distinctly average. Constantly came out second best in duels.
Andrey Santos – 4
Found himself completely overrun in the middle of the park – he wasn’t alone in that – and was hooked at half-time after a rash slide to bring down Nico Paz brought a yellow card. Never got close to the speed of the game. The fact it was only 1-0 when he went off goes in his favour.
Bryan Mbeumo – 4
Has looked best at centre forward and so, naturally, he was deployed wide off the right, a position he doesn’t ever seem to thrive in. Made a couple of smart runs but chances were at a premium and he was marginalised.
Bryan Mbeumo was pushed out on to the right and it massively limited what he is good at
Youri Tielemans – 4
Keeps starting matches but this one was one where it was easy to forget he was playing. Totally anonymous.
Matheus Cunha – 3
Another who was totally anonymous. Had one touch in the Como box, didn’t create a single chance, and had just one shot off target before he was hooked at half-time alongside Santos. Been in and out of the side of late and this didn’t do anything to improve his odds of more starts.
Bruno Fernandes – 4
Shook his head as he was taken off just after an hour into this one-sided contest but the truth is his performances have been way below the levels he has previously shown he can reach and he could have few complaints at coming off.
This false-nine experiment they have used in the past two games isn’t yielding successful results.
MANAGER: Michael Carrick – 2
Spoke about a ‘fresh start’ after the draw at Leeds and then saw his side get totally dominated by a quicker, hungrier and better coached team. This was alarming mostly because United never looked remotely threatening, never mind threatening to pull off a positive result.
Michael Carrick is going to be under enormous pressure now as he bids to keep his job
SUBS
Amad (for Matheus Cunha, 46min) – 6
The brightest player in a United shirt. Looked to actually make stuff happen, and it was his ball in to Zirkzee that led to the late consolation.
Carlos Baleba (for Andrey Santos, 46) – 5
Catastrophic error to concede possession to Nico Paz as he broke to score a third. Did at least add some physicality that is severely lacking in this team. United cannot start matches going forward without him.
Joshua Zirkzee (for Bruno Fernandes, 67)
Scored in what was basically the only positive on a sobering night. Ended his drought.
Harry Amass (for Matthijs de Ligt, 79)
Shea Lacey (for Bryan Mbeumo, 86)
Como (4-2-3-1)
Butez 6; Couto 7, Ramon 7, Kempf 6, Valle 6; Milla 7, Perrone 8; Da Cunha 7, Paz 9 (Ricci 80), Baturina 7 (Caqueret 64, 7); Douvikas 8
Goals: Paz (2, 57), Douvikas (49), Ramon (76)
Manager: Cesc Fabregas 8
NOW READ: Man United were insipid, lifeless and downright ugly in tame Como surrender, writes CHRIS WHEELER
