Michael Carrick's future as Manchester United head coach is in serious doubt after a 4-1 Champions League defeat at Como, described as one o
Michael Carrick’s future as Manchester United head coach is in serious doubt after a 4-1 Champions League defeat at Como, described as one of the most embarrassing European defeats in the club’s history.
The Italian newcomers, managed by Cesc Fabregas, former Arsenal midfielder, were bold and joined up at the Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia and left United chasing shadows.
Young, super-talented Argentine playmaker Nico Paz scored twice and created another goal, and United’s winless run stretched to seven matches.
Substitute Joshua Zirkzee scored a consolation goal in stoppage time, but by then most of the 700 travelling fans had already folded their flags and left.
The statistics make grim reading for the Red Devils. United became the first English team to concede inside the opening two minutes of back-to-back major European games, after going behind to Atletico Madrid inside 47 seconds.
Carrick made changes at half-time, bringing on Carlos Baleba and Amad Diallo, but Como scored again four minutes after the restart and added a third soon after. It was the first time in 33 years that United had conceded four goals in a European match. The defeat was also their fifth in 11 games this season.
Carrick did not hide from the criticism. He told reporters the performance was not acceptable and apologised directly to the away supporters.
A public disagreement with captain Bruno Fernandes then added to the pressure. Fernandes questioned the team’s tactics, and Carrick responded with his own dig at his captain and the rest of the squad.
The row will only add to the feeling that his future could be in doubt. Carrick took over from the sacked Ruben Amorim in January, and with results sliding, the club’s hierarchy now faces a decision about whether to stick with him.
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