Manchester United manager Michael Carrick is facing mounting pressure after his side suffered a humiliating 4-1 defeat to Como in a damaging European outing.
Como delivered a dominant performance, with Argentina international Nico Paz scoring twice and providing an assist as the Italian side exposed United’s defensive weaknesses.
Tasos Douvikas and Jacobo Ramon also scored for Como, while Joshua Zirkzee grabbed a late consolation goal for United.
The defeat came eight days after United conceded in the opening minute against Atletico Madrid, extending their unwanted run of early defensive lapses in major European matches.
Paz opened the scoring after just 118 seconds, curling a superb effort beyond the United goalkeeper to give the hosts an early advantage.
The goal made United the first English team in history to concede within the opening two minutes of consecutive major European matches.
Como maintained their superiority after the break, with Douvikas doubling the lead before Paz struck again to put the hosts firmly in control.
Ramon then powered home a header to make it 4-0, leaving United facing the prospect of equalling their heaviest defeat in European competition.
United’s worst European loss remains a 5-0 defeat to Portuguese side Sporting in 1964.
The scale of Como’s victory highlighted the contrasting fortunes of the two clubs. When United last won the Champions League in 2008, Como were competing in Italy’s fourth tier, Serie D.
The result also increased scrutiny of Carrick’s management as United struggled to contain Como’s attacking threat and failed to mount a meaningful response for much of the match.
United captain Bruno Fernandes was withdrawn midway through the second half, with Zirkzee introduced in his place.
The substitution followed further changes at half-time, when Matheus Cunha and Andrey Santos, two players signed by Ineos at a reported combined cost of £110 million, were taken off.
United eventually found the net in stoppage time when Zirkzee beat the offside trap and calmly converted a cross from fellow substitute Amad Diallo.
However, the late goal did little to ease the disappointment of a performance in which United had conceded four times.
With the heavy defeat adding to concerns over the team’s defensive organisation and consistency, Carrick faces renewed questions about his future at Old Trafford.
Como, meanwhile, celebrated an emphatic victory led by Paz, whose two goals and creative contribution proved decisive in one of United’s most damaging European defeats.
