Michael Carrick looks to be on the brink at Manchester United as they were roundly thrashed 4-1 by Como in a humiliating defeat in the Champions League.
United are battling an injury crisis in defence but that should serve as no real excuse for a dismal display in which they were outrun, outfought and outclassed by Cesc Fabregas’ side who are competing in the Champions Legue for the first time.
Their winless run now stands at seven games and calls for Carrick to be sacked are growing, as the “fresh start” the manager hoped for following the 1-1 draw against Leeds on Sunday failed to materialise.
United host Bournemouth on Sunday afternoon as their next game, when the pressure will now be ramped up even further.
Relive the action from Como v Man Utd with our live blog below:
Read MoreMan United’s latest shambolic performance leaves Michael Carrick on the brink
Bruno Fernandes unhappy with Michael Carrick’s tactics in dismal Man United defeat to Como
Cesc Fabregas responds to Man United links amid mounting pressure on Michael Carrick
Como v Man Utd LIVE: Latest Champions League updates
- Hopeless Man United thrashed 4-1 by brilliant Como in Champions League
- United's winless run goes to seven games as pressure grows on Michael Carrick
- Cesc Fabregas's Como side are making their Champions League debut this season
- 90' - GOAL! Zirkzee scores smart consolation goal [COM 4-1 MUN]
- 76' - GOAL! Ramon powers home header to make it four [COM 4-0 MUN]
- 56' - GOAL! Paz calmly finishes to slot home his second goal [COM 3-0 MUN]
- 48' - GOAL! Douvikas loses De Ligt and lifts finish over Lammens to double lead [COM 2-0 MUN]
- 2' - GOAL! United make another disastrous start in Champions League as Paz curls in [COM 1-0 MUN]
Man United’s latest shambolic performance leaves Michael Carrick on the brink
20:30 , Chris WilsonThe saying goes that a picture is worth a thousand words, and in some ways the photos of Michael Carrick on the pitch in Como may tell you more than a match report ever could.
United have had many a night to forget in recent seasons, but a 4-1 loss to Como in the Champions League goes down as one of the worst in living memory.
In fact the Italian minnows, taking part in Europe’s premier competition for the first time, put United to the sword in a second-half performance that could well cost Carrick his job.
Man United’s latest shambolic performance leaves Michael Carrick on the brink
League phase table
22:15 , Chris WilsonThat result leaves United 21st in the league phase table, with several games still yet to finish this evening.
A reminder that the top eight teams automatically qualify for the next round, with those placed 9th to 24th entering a seeded play-off round.
Man Utd's European fixtures
22:00 , Chris WilsonHere’s what United will face in the coming months as they battle to keep their European campaign alive:
3 November - AS Roma (H)
25 November - Sporting CP (A)
8 December - RB Leipzig (H)
20 January - Bayern Munich (H)
27 January - Villarreal (A)
Bruno Fernandes unhappy with Michael Carrick’s tactics in dismal Man United defeat to Como
21:45 , Chris WilsonManchester United captain Bruno Fernandes wasn’t impressed by the tactic of Michael Carrick during his side’s humiliating 4-1 defeat to Como in the Champions League.
United were outrun, outfought and outplayed by their Italian opponents, with Nico Paz in particular running the visitors ragged – notching two goals and an assist for Cesc Fabregas’s well-drilled side.
It was one of United’s worst performances in their long and storied European history and extends their winless run in all competitions to seven matches and ramp up the pressure on Carrick, who may well be on the brink of the sack.
Bruno Fernandes unhappy with Michael Carrick tactics in dire Man United loss to Como
Carrick responds to Fernandes
21:30 , Chris WilsonWhen asked about the post-match comments of Bruno Fernandes, Carrick replied:
“We pressed man-to-man in the second half and conceded from that. If you don’t run forward and you don’t run back you aren’t going to win.”
The United boss is saying plenty with that relatively brief answer.
Carrick: 'I didn’t like what I saw'
21:20 , Chris Wilson“It’s not about me and my feelings, it’s more as a team and a club what we want to look like. The results can come and go but you’ve got to do it in a certain way, and that wasn’t it,” continued Carrick.
“I’m okay, I’m disappointed, angry to be honest, but you’ve got to deal with what’s next. At this moment there’s a lot to do to get the team ready.
“It’s not about playing for me, it’s playing for this club. I’m responsible for the club, I’m giving my best all the time. My whole life is wrapped around it. It might go well, might not go well, but I give everything I possibly can.
“It’s not about me. [But] I didn’t like what I saw tonight,” he added.
More from Carrick
21:10 , Chris Wilson“[There’s] a lot going through my mind. Genuinely difficult to understand how it can be so different. we can all have a poor performance but to do in that manner is not right at all,” said Carrick speaking to the media.
When asked if he felt like he’d been let down by some players, he replied: ““I don’t take it personally. What you do, your behaviour, how you perform is the responsibility of representing this club. it’s about the club and what we represent, it wasn’t just the goals, it was the manner, the way we played at times, the way we went about it was the difficult thing to watch for me.”
Another Messi comparison
21:05 , Alan Smith3 - Nico Paz is the youngest 🇦🇷 Argentinian player (22 years, 43 days) to be involved in three goals (2 goals, 1 assist) in a UEFA Champions League game since 21-year-old Lionel Messi in April 2009 against Bayern Munich.
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) October 21, 2026
Game-changer. pic.twitter.com/3iZH5xQj08
Tielemans: 'A very bad match from us'
21:00 , Chris Wilson“It was a very bad match from us. The fans come out here and we put out a non-performance like this, it's not good enough from us,” said Youri Tielemans after the match.
Carrick: 'To see a performance like that is unacceptable'
20:50 , Chris Wilson“It was more than disappointing. I think everybody has got to take responsibility for that. I 100% take responsibility for the overall team and the performance - that's where it stops. It stops with me and I'm absolutely fine with that,” said Michael Carrick after his team’s defeat.
“I accept that totally. But as a supporter of this football club for so long, to see a performance like that is unacceptable, I have to say.
“I care an unbelievable amount about the supporters. They are the heartbeat of this football club and they always will be. For them to travel, I had to apologise for the performance. To have to watch a performance like that, I totally feel for them. There are no excuses at all. It is not acceptable,” he explained.
When asked whether he has the backing of the board, he added: “It's not about me. It's about digesting the game and how it went. That is the most important thing right now.”
Game in data
20:45 , Alan Smith𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐨 𝟒-𝟏 𝐌𝐚𝐧 𝐔𝐭𝐝
— Opta Analyst (@OptaAnalyst) October 21, 2026
It's back-to-back defeats for Manchester United in the Champions League, beaten well by Cesc Fabregas' impressive side.
United are winless in seven games in all competitions (D3 L4) for the first time since a run of eight back in 2015.#UCL pic.twitter.com/CGEllsR0HA
United's defeat in pictures
20:40 , Chris Wilson
Berbatov: 'A terrible night'
20:35 , Chris Wilson“It was a terrible, terrible night. A terrible game for United, nothing was happening and Como outplayed them in every way possible,” said former United striker Dimitar Berbatov on TNT after the game.
“From the goals, from the taking the ball, the possession, the confidence. Everything was there for Como. It was like they were playing a second team. Look at the first goal, the confidence on the ball, the time on the ball.
“Sometimes it’s not about the loss, it’s about how you lose, and today that was the point, how we lost that game of football.
“After a performance like this, probably, like every time, are these the right players to compete on the highest stage? Is that the right manager? Is this the right way? Of course after games like this, people will say we need more players, we need better players, we need this and that.
"What can you say after a performance like this?
"Today it didn’t look like everyone was giving their best on the pitch. Como looked like they were just having fun. It looked like men against kids,” added the Bulgarian.
United's results
20:25 , Chris WilsonThat loss leaves Manchester United with just two wins from their opening 11 games of the season.
The Red Devils have only beaten newly promoted Ipswich and Champions League debutants Sabah so far this term, and they’ve drawn to Leeds, Spurs, Fulham and Everton.
To add to that, they’ve so far lost to Como, Atletico, Man City, Hull and Brighton (the latter in the Caraboa Cup).
Fernandes: 'Not many things going our way'
20:20 , Chris WilsonOn whether he was saying Michael Carrick got his tactics wrong this evening, Bruno Fernandes explained:
“That's on the manager and staff to see, not me. Sometimes you have to be more brave under pressure, take the risk of pressing high and making them uncomfortable.
“As you saw with them [Como], the centre-back was coming to mark me in my own half. We need to do that as a team but we were unable to.
“A team that plays through the middle with small connections, if you give them too much time and space then they can hurt you out wide,” he added.
Fernandes' snap reaction
20:15 , Alan Smith"It's not the first time we started on the wrong foot, and they scored very early,” he tells TNT Sports. “Not much pressure on the ball, not many good movements with the ball, not many things going our way.”
"I think sometimes we have to be more brave under pressure."
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) October 21, 2026
Captain Bruno Fernandes gives his immediate reaction to Manchester United's heavy 4-1 defeat to Como 🗣️
🎙️ @LiamMacdevitt 📺 Stream on TNT Sports & HBO Max: https://t.co/fRCRh6tXYB pic.twitter.com/8bzmLGkRAX
Bruno Fernandes unhappy with Man United tactics in defeat
20:11 , Luke BakerMan United skipper Bruno Fernandes has spoken after the defeat and wasn’t impressed with the tactics this evening...
“It's a decision from the staff to not press man to man and sometimes leave space behind and try to get the ball, wait for them, but sometimes when you give space to these teams they get confidence,” said Fernandes.
On whether he is saying Michael Carrick got his tactics wrong: “That's on the manager and staff to see, not me. Sometimes you have to be more brave under pressure, take the risk of pressing high and making them uncomfortable.
“As you saw with them [Como], the centre-back was coming to mark me in my own half. We need to do that as a team but we were unable to.
“A team that plays through the middle with small connections, if you give them too much time and space then they can hurt you out wide."
Paz gets his flowers
20:05 , Alan SmithPaz, unsurprisingly, has been named player of the match.
Uefa said: "He was the standout individual talent in a very well-worked Como team. The discipline of the positional play of the team allowed Nico to display his footballing brain and exquisite technical talent. Two goals and an assist, as well as showing the personality and footballing confidence of this Como side."
Carrick's apology to United fans
19:58 , Alan SmithMichael Carrick holds his hands up apologetically in front of the #MUFC fans after a hugely damaging loss in Como pic.twitter.com/ng0lviSpJj
— Simon Peach (@SimonPeach) October 21, 2026
Damned United
19:50 , Alan Smith19:40 , Alan Smith7 - Manchester United are winless in seven consecutive games in all competitions for the first time since a run of eight matches between November and December 2015.
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) October 21, 2026
Problems. pic.twitter.com/2CCZsu6kLX
United players applaud the away fans who remain in the stands. They have been embarrassed by a team that both displayed superior technical ability and delivered more intensity.
Paz was outstanding but Como are not exactly packed full of household names. It didn’t matter because they are a well-coached team who met a collection of uninterested individuals.
FULL-TIME! Como 4-1 Man Utd
19:38 , Alan SmithA famous night for the hosts, an infamous one for the visitors.
GOAL! Como 4-1 Man Utd (Zirkzee 90)
19:35 , Alan SmithAnd it’s the least consequential consolation goal imaginable. Amad floats one in from the right, Zirkzee stays just onside, controls well and fires home. Como’s defence are furious to have thrown away their clean sheet.
Como 4-0 Man Utd
19:34 , Alan Smith90’ - There will be three added minutes.
Como 4-0 Man Utd
19:30 , Alan Smith86’ - Kempf fouls Amad and is booked.
Lacey replaces Mbeumo.
Como 4-0 Man Utd
19:27 , Alan Smith83’ - Carrick said last night that he need not seek any reassurance about his job. Perhaps he’ll feel differently following this.
Como 4-0 Man Utd
19:25 , Alan Smith81’ - Amad sends a corner in, Butez gathers it with ease. United have been totally abject, devoid of energy and imagination.
Como 4-0 Man Utd
19:24 , Alan Smith80’ - Ricci, Smolcic and Dossena are on for Como. Paz, the exceptional performer, joins Perrone and Yan Couto in making way.
Amass replaces De Ligt, whose long-awaited return is a chastening one.
GOAL! Como 4-0 Man Utd (Ramon 76)
19:21 , Alan SmithIt’s a lovely, flowing team move and it’s the centre half who finishes it off, powering home Bruno’s cross from the left with a powerful header.
Como 3-0 Man Utd
19:15 , Alan Smith69’ - Bruno replaces Da Cunha. The game has lost a lot of zip in the past few minutes. The result is assured and Como are coasting. It does seem that the wind is picking up too.
Como 3-0 Man Utd
19:10 , Alan Smith67’ - Amad has a shot that is well saved. Fernandes is then replaced by Zirkzee.
Como 3-0 Man Utd
19:08 , Alan Smith64’ - Caqueret replaces Baturina, who has done really well, as Como bring fresh energy on.
Como 3-0 Man Utd
19:06 , Alan Smith63’ - Amad and Mount link up nicely but the former’s pass inside is cut out.
Can Carrick keep his job if it stays like this?
19:06 , Chris WilsonHere are the latest thoughts from Chris Wilson, who is in place at the Giuseppe Sinigaglia Stadium...
Wow. Just as United constructed their first bit of pressure, they found themselves three down!
Once again it was too easy for Como, but take nothing away from Paz, who once again produces a lovely finish to give Como their third.
It’s been an awful performance from United so far and you have to think Carrick could be close to losing his job if the scoreline stays like this.
Como 3-0 Man Utd
19:05 , Alan Smith61’ - Is this a new low? It might well be.
GOAL! Como 3-0 Man Utd (Paz 57)
19:04 , Alan SmithThis is becoming farcical. Paz nicks it off Baleba, surges forward and tucks it around Lammens under some pressure from Tielemans.
Como 2-0 Man Utd
18:58 , Alan Smith54’ - It should be three. Paz tees up Da Cunha, he chops from right to left and blasts across goal and wide. He could have easily curled it in. Another let off.
Como 2-0 Man Utd
18:56 , Alan Smith52’ - Baleba is booked for fouling Paz.
GOAL! Como 2-0 Man Utd (Douvikas, 48)
18:54 , Alan SmithThey’re slacking. It’s taken three minutes of this half for Como to score.... Paz is the architect, dropping a shoulder before sending a through ball to Douvikas and the big Greek hammers it home. A brilliant goal, and United already look cooked.
Como 1-0 Man Utd
18:51 , Alan Smith47’ - Dalot and Mazraoui have switched flanks and the former gets down the left with ease but his cross is poor.
Restarted! Como 1-0 Man Utd
18:49 , Alan SmithWe’re off again. Can United improve? They cannot get much worse.
Double change
18:49 , Alan SmithBaleba and Amad are coming on for United, Cunha and Santos are hooked.
Amad & Baleba warming up
18:45 , Chris WilsonHere are the latest thoughts from Chris Wilson, who is in place at the Giuseppe Sinigaglia Stadium...
Both Amad and Carlos Baleba are warming up at half-time, and it will be a welcome sight for the travelling faithful, who’ve been subject to one of the most useless first-half performances in recent memory from United.
Something has to change for the visitors in the second half, and those two feel like some of the only players in the squad capable of doing that.
More unwanted history
18:44 , Alan Smith1 - Manchester United are the first English team in history to concede in the first two minutes of consecutive major European matches (1st minute vs Atlético Madrid, 2nd minute vs Como).
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) October 21, 2026
Downpour. pic.twitter.com/kdErhRxegf
Paz masterclass
18:38 , Alan SmithHe is not just inheriting Messi’s No. 10 shirt with Argentina...
2 - Nico #Paz (22 anni e 43 giorni) è solo il 2° giocatore sudamericano più giovane a trovare la rete in #UEFAChampionsLeague contro il Manchester United, dopo Lionel Messi (21 anni e 337 giorni nella finale del 2009). Pungente.#UCL #ComoManchesterUnited
— OptaPaolo (@OptaPaolo) October 21, 2026
Half-time! Como 1-0 Man Utd
18:33 , Alan SmithComo good, United awful. And the problem for Carrick is, as Martinez hinted a week ago, there are few options on the bench to change things up.
Como 1-0 Man Utd
18:32 , Alan Smith44’ - Cunha blasts off target. There will be one added minute.
'United get away with one'
18:31 , Chris WilsonHere are the latest thoughts from Chris Wilson, who is in place at the Giuseppe Sinigaglia Stadium...
United got away with one there but the check did not take long, so it must have been clear.
Elsewhere, Douvikas has now missed two chances, the latter of which was far easier, and Como may well feel they should be 2-0 up here.
Como 1-0 Man Utd
18:30 , Alan Smith43’ - Baturina has a snapshot stopped by Lammens. Douvikas is flagged offside when trying to reach a rebound.
Como 1-0 Man Utd
18:28 , Alan Smith41’ - Douvikas gets in behind again and Lammens takes him down... but United and their goalkeeper are very fortunate that the Como forward was judged to have been a whisker offside.
This is shambolic from United, though also familiar.
Como 1-0 Man Utd
18:26 , Alan Smith38’ - A long, meandering spell of Como possession ends with Douvikas smashing over. United sat off and invited the pressure but that should really be 2-0 and De Ligt’s despairing look towards the assistant for an offside that never was summed up how bad United have been so far.
Como 1-0 Man Utd
18:22 , Alan Smith36’ - Douvikas sizes up De Ligt and tries to squeeze a shot past Lammens’ near post but the keeper parries it out for a corner. The set-piece is taken short and amounts to little worth noting.
Como 1-0 Man Utd
18:20 , Alan Smith34’ - Valle tries to find Paz with a deep cross after a flowing, diagonal move forward from deep. His delivery is poor though and Lammens is grateful to pluck it out of the sky.
Como 1-0 Man Utd
18:18 , Alan Smith31’ - Mbeumo fouls Baturina. Can you detect a pattern?
Como 1-0 Man Utd
18:17 , Alan Smith30’ - Now Paz is fouled by Cunha. He has fried the brains of United players so far this evening, by some distance the best player on the pitch.
'Embarrassing from United'
18:15 , Chris WilsonHere are the latest thoughts from Chris Wilson, who is in place at the Giuseppe Sinigaglia Stadium...
This has to go down as an embarrassing start from United, even by their recent standards.
They’ve been completely outmatched by Como so far, and can barely get near their opponents in some passages of play.
The midfield has not managed to get into the game at all so far either, and in possession they look out of ideas already. Something needs to change quickly.
Como 1-0 Man Utd
18:15 , Alan Smith29’ - Como’s intensity is of a far superior level, something you may not typically associate with Italian sides against Premier League outfits.
Como 1-0 Man Utd
18:12 , Alan Smith25’ - Santos is now booked for chopping down Paz on the right wing. No disputing that one.
Como 1-0 Man Utd
18:10 , Alan Smith23’ - United are matching Como’s formation but the midfield balance remains all wrong. They are being dominated in the centre, - Mount, Tielemans and Santos have barely had a touch.
Como 1-0 Man Utd
18:08 , Alan Smith21’ - On second viewing it’s a fantastic challenge from Maguire, who gets a toe on the ball at full stretch before Baturina goes down. Top defending, even if he was too slow for Paz’s opener.
Como 1-0 Man Utd
18:06 , Alan Smith19’ - Hmmm, Baturina is looking for a penalty after going down under pressure from Maguire. VAR will take a look while play continues but on first watch it looks like a bit of a tumble from the Como player with no obvious foul.
Como 1-0 Man Utd
18:04 , Alan Smith17 - United enjoy a marginally better spell, winning a corner that is cleared before the second delivery from Mbeumo is met by Maguire’s forehead. He directs a looping effort narrowly wide.
Como 1-0 Man Utd
17:59 , Alan Smith12’ - Baturina drags the ball back and nutmegs Dalot with a backheel. It’s not been a great start for the United right back.
Como 1-0 Man Utd
17:58 , Alan Smith10’ - Paz tries to find Douvikas but Maguire gets a touch. Como come back at United and the Serie A side look well on top for now, playing with a far greater level of confidence.
Como 1-0 Man Utd
17:54 , Alan Smith7’ - Maguire meets the delivery first though Cunha misjudges a pass to the right as United break, ending any sign of a promising move developing.
More poor defending from United
17:53 , Chris WilsonHere are the latest thoughts from Chris Wilson, who is in place at the Giuseppe Sinigaglia Stadium...
United conceded within 47 seconds last week and to their credit they managed to hold out twice as long this time!
It’s a lovely curled finish from Nico Paz but there are once again questions on the defending from United, who gave the Argentina international acres of space o the edge of the area.
It’s another poor start from the visitors and they’ve left themselves with plenty to do away in Europe once more.
Como 1-0 Man Utd
17:53 , Alan Smith7’ - Dalot drags Valle to the ground in what is a promising position for the hosts to whip one in to their bigger men.
Como 1-0 Man Utd
17:52 , Alan Smith5’ - How do United respond to the early adversity? It’s not the most intimidating stadium in the world because it is so exposed and the stands are a distance from the playing surface, but Como are so well coached and United are, well, capable of performing shambolically.
GOAL! Como 1-0 Man Utd (Paz, 3)
17:50 , Alan SmithAs we were saying about the good start... Paz receives possession under desperately little pressure on the 18-yard line. He is free to turn, Maguire tries to close him down at snail pace but by the time he gets near the Argentina star whips a delightful finish into Lammens’ right corner.
Como 0-0 Man Utd
17:49 , Alan Smith2’ - A good start from United. Paz loses it in the middle, leading to a good heave forward from the visitors. Cunha sends a diagonal pass to Dalot on the right corner of the Como penalty area. His control is not amazing but he does get a shot away, flashing it a yard wide.
Kick-off! Como 0-0 Man Utd
17:47 , Alan SmithAnd we’re off. United get us moving, playing from right to left as we watch. It’s a beautiful ground this but the conditions look miserable.
Tonight's official
17:46 , Alan SmithSvan Jablonski, of Germany, is tonight’s referee. He’s just overseeing the coin toss. United will play in white with black shorts, Como are in blue tops and white bottoms.
Almost time...
17:43 , Alan SmithThe teams are ready, the rain is falling heavily and it’s just the standard UCL formalities to come before kick-off.
The Varane Derby
17:40 , Alan SmithRaphael Varane is now on Como’s board. He used to play for United, of course... “A special moment, a special night, we’ll enjoy it. Manchester is still a special club with a high level of passion and I had a lot of good memories. I’m really proud to have played for Man United.
De Ligt's long wait
17:35 , Alan SmithMatthijs de Ligt returns from injury to start for Manchester United in Como, making his first appearance since 30 November 2025 against Crystal Palace.#COMMUN pic.twitter.com/gOb0vX7yVF
— Opta Analyst (@OptaAnalyst) October 21, 2026
Fabregas: We'll do our best
17:28 , Alan SmithFabregas has been speaking to the UK broadcaster too. “It's a very special night for the city, for the club, for everyone around it. We've grown a lot in the past few years and I think the players deserve to be living life like this. Let’s enjoy it, it's an honour ... we’ll do our best.”
De Ligt's return 'fantastic' for United
17:21 , Alan SmithMichael Carrick, speaking to TNT Sports, is happy to see the defender back for a first appearance since last November.
“It's fantastic to have Matthijs back. He's been working so hard for such a long period of time. He's been training for a good number of weeks, it's good to have him back on the pitch.”
Como's kids may well be alright
17:20 , Alan SmithComo have only six outfield players on their bench tonight because Fabregas said there aren’t any other players available, citing a lack of academy depth as one reason in his press conference.
Maybe it was his way of motivating the youngsters because they defeated United 2-1 in their Youth League match earlier today.
Como's journey
17:12 , Alan SmithIt wasn't so long ago that Como were in Serie D; tonight they host Manchester United in the Champions League.
— Opta Analyst (@OptaAnalyst) October 21, 2026
It's been a meteoric rise. pic.twitter.com/e6twZd00Qw
Goals galore?
17:06 , Alan SmithHopes of another belter are high...
4.2 - There's been 187 goals scored in 45 games in the UEFA Champions League this season.
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) October 20, 2026
At 4.2 goals per game, it's the most in a European Cup campaign since 1959-60 (also 4.2 per game).
Entertainment. pic.twitter.com/sHl88U2c0r
Fabregas perturbed by Carrick questions
17:00 , Alan SmithOf course Fabregas was also asked for his take on Carrick’s future and of course he delivered a dead bat to it. “As you can understand I won’t answer that question because I think that’s not a very nice question,” he said during Como’s MD-1 chatter. “I don’t think that shows enough respect to a great footballer and manager like Michael Carrick at the helm of a wonderful Manchester United side.”
Team news
16:56 , Chris WilsonHere are the latest thoughts on the United team news from Chris Wilson, who is in place at the Giuseppe Sinigaglia Stadium...
So, Michael Carrick has made four changes to the side that drew to Leeds at the weekend, with a few of them enforced by injury and suspension.
In defence, the suspended Leny Yoro makes way for Noussair Mazraoui, while the injured Lisandro Martinez is replaced by Matthijs de Ligt, who makes his first start in 11 months.
Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans continue in midfield, while Mason Mount and Matheus Cunha replace Amad and Carlos Baleba.
Carrick: No reassurances required
16:54 , Alan SmithWhile speculation continues around the United head coach, he insisted during his pre-match press conference on Tuesday night that there is no sense of insecurity for him personally.
He said: “I don’t need any reassurance. It’s pretty clear. I know the role, I know my responsibilities. I don’t need anyone else to tell me when it’s going well or when it needs to be better. There’s not much I can really elaborate on that. I know we’ve got to win football games for everything to flow and everything to fit into place.”
Hopes that lightning stays away
16:49 , Chris WilsonHere are the latest thoughts from Chris Wilson, who is in place at the Giuseppe Sinigaglia Stadium...
The rain has been stop-start throughout the day so far but it started pouring a little while ago, only to once again subside.
It hasn't been particularly heavy throughout the day, so talk of the game being postponed due to rain seems far-fetched.
However, some weather forecasts had thunder and lightning around kick-off and during the game, and as we saw during the World Cup, that can cause chaos.
Good omen for United
16:48 , Alan SmithUnited have not been beaten in any of their past six visits to Italian sides in the Champions League, according to Uefa. The last loss there was a 3-0 defeat to Milan in the second leg of the 2007 semi-finals.
Weather watch
16:42 , Alan SmithIt looks like there are plenty of storm clouds gathering around the lake, which Carrick will hope is not a touch ominous.
The Sinigaglia is ready 🏟️ pic.twitter.com/A7JJ0WXPJx
— Como1907 (@Como_1907) October 21, 2026
Confirmed Como team
16:38 , Alan SmithCesc Fabregas is down to the bare bones owing to a lack of home-grown depth in his squad but this is how the hosts line up.
Butez; Yan Couto, Ramon, Kempf, Valle; Perrone, Milla; Da Cunha, Paz, Baturina; Douvikas
Confirmed Man Utd team
16:35 , Alan SmithLining up for United this evening...
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) October 21, 2026
✨ #UCL pic.twitter.com/nyKC4GpWgH
Como vs Man United
15:42 , Luke BakerGood afternoon and welcome to The Independent’s coverage of Man United’s trip to Como in the Champions League.
United, and boss Michael Carrick, could desperately do with a victory to end their six-game winless run in all competitions and quieten some of the noise at Old Trafford.
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