Manchester United’s struggles deepened following a 4-1 defeat to Como in the Champions League on October 18, raising fresh doubts about manager Michael Carrick’s future less than two months into the season. The three-time European champions suffered a heavy loss to a club that competed in Italy’s fourth tier as recently as 2019, underscoring ongoing issues within the squad.
The defeat, United’s heaviest in Europe’s top competition since a similar thrashing, left the team with just three points from their opening three group stage matches. Although substitute Joshua Zirkzee scored a late goal to avoid an even more damaging result, the match exposed significant tactical and personnel weaknesses.
Carrick, who took full responsibility for the poor performance, apologized to supporters and described the display as “unacceptable.” Speaking after the match, he emphasized the need to analyze the game rather than focus on his personal position, deflecting questions about whether he retained the board’s backing. “It’s not about me,” he said. “It’s about digesting the game and how it went.”
The defeat follows a period of growing frustration among fans and players alike. United have now gone seven games in all competitions without a win and sit 13th in the Premier League. Earlier remarks from defender Lisandro Martinez, who criticized the club’s hierarchy after a 2-0 loss to Atletico Madrid, heightened internal tensions. Carrick had previously called the October 1 draw against Premier League rivals Leeds a "fresh start," but the Como loss has cast doubt on that optimism.
United’s current problems are multifaceted. The squad has looked disjointed, lacking cohesion and defensive solidity, while also displaying limited attacking potency. The club’s summer transfer strategy, which centered on bolstering midfield with signings like Andrey Santos, Youri Tielemans, and Carlos Baleba, left vulnerabilities elsewhere, particularly at left-back and in attack. The injury to striker Benjamin Sesko, United’s only senior forward, further weakened the offensive options. Even captain Bruno Fernandes has struggled to make an impact and was substituted during the second half in Como. After the match, Fernandes openly questioned the tactical approach, expressing concerns over the decision not to press man-to-man and leave space that allowed Como to gain confidence.
Former players and pundits have weighed in on United’s difficulties. Joe Cole, former Chelsea and England midfielder, suggested the root of the club’s woes runs deeper than Carrick’s management, citing longstanding structural issues. “The rot at this club has been there for many, many years,” he said, noting that Carrick inherited a challenging situation. Meanwhile, ex-United forward Dimitar Berbatov described the performance as “terrible,” highlighting Como’s dominance in possession and overall play, likening Manchester United to a “second team” on the pitch.
United now face a critical run of fixtures including Bournemouth on October 25, which is widely viewed as a must-win encounter. Upcoming matches against Chelsea, Roma, Aston Villa, and Liverpool will further test the resilience and direction of the struggling squad as pressure mounts on Carrick to reverse the team’s fortunes.