Cesc Fabregas has rejected the claim that Manchester United are in “crisis” ahead of the clash between his Como side and the Premier League club on Wednesday.
United have picked up just two wins this season, with one coming against Sabah FK in the first matchday of the Champions League.
In the past week they have succumbed to a 2-0 loss at Atlético Madrid that was followed with a 1-1 draw against Leeds United at Elland Road on Sunday.
He said: “I don’t believe in crises in football, you have a game every three days, it’s 11 against 11, and you’ve got to give your best.
“A crisis is invented by you journalists, but we are professionals, we’ve wanted to compete since the day we were born. I don’t believe in any crisis.”
Pressure on Michael Carrick has increased but Fabregas refused to answer if he would like the Manchester United job if it became available “out of respect for Carrick and an institution like United”.
Como sit fifth in Serie A and have won one and lost one in the Champions League so far. They won their first ever game in the competition against RB Leipzig 4-1 but were beaten 3-2 by Feyenoord last week.
Looking ahead to Wednesday’s game, Fabregas said: “It is another historic day for the club, the fans and the city.
“We’ve got to play with focus and ambition. This is Manchester United we are up against, so let’s enjoy it, play our game and try to win. It’s an incredible group of players, so we must be humble and realise there is much to learn. We’ll see how it goes but we respect our opponents.
“There are different ways of attacking, we try to study their weaknesses but also don’t forget what we do best. They have a specific system and principles, but football is ultimately about the players. We tend to forget that, as directors and coaching staff.”
Como’s league form has suffered with the more strenuous schedule that comes with involvement in Europe’s elite competition.
Fabregas said: “Many players have never done this before, but we’ve got to improve and play with ambition.
“We cannot talk too much about history, because otherwise these players step onto the field with fear. A coach must give his players confidence. If we think we’re higher than we are, then it will be more difficult.”