Como's Argentine midfielder #10 Nicolas Paz (C) celebrates scoring his team's third goal during the UEFA Champions League, league phase matchday 3, football match between Como 1907 and Manchester United at the Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia in Como, northen Italy on October 21, 2026. (Photo by Marco BERTORELLO / AFP)
Manchester United suffered a humiliating 4-1 defeat to Como in the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday, piling further pressure on manager Michael Carrick after another disappointing European outing.
United’s defensive struggles continued just eight days after they conceded in the opening minute against Atletico Madrid, with Como taking the lead after just 118 seconds through Argentine playmaker Nico Paz.
The early goal made Manchester United the first English team to concede within the opening two minutes of consecutive major European matches, adding to an unwanted record for the club.
The result also highlighted the contrasting fortunes of the two sides.
When Manchester United last won the Champions League in 2008, Como were competing in Serie D, but the Italian side dominated proceedings in a performance that exposed the visitors’ defensive weaknesses.
Paz proved to be the standout performer, scoring twice and setting up Tasos Douvikas for Como’s third goal.
Jacobo Ramon added a fourth with a powerful header to complete a memorable victory for the hosts.
At one stage, Manchester United appeared in danger of matching their heaviest-ever European defeat, a 5-0 loss to Portuguese side Sporting in 1964.
Carrick attempted to change the course of the match by making several substitutions.
Captain Bruno Fernandes was replaced by Joshua Zirkzee midway through the second half, while Matheus Cunha and Andrey Santos, two signings reportedly worth a combined £110 million, were withdrawn at half-time.
United eventually found a consolation goal in stoppage time when Zirkzee beat the offside trap and calmly converted a cross from fellow substitute Amad Diallo.
However, the late strike did little to ease the disappointment of the travelling supporters as Como celebrated an emphatic victory.
The defeat leaves Carrick facing renewed scrutiny, with Manchester United needing a swift response to put their European campaign back on track.