Manchester United's Champions League league phase clash away at Como tonight is not guaranteed to go ahead. The match is at risk of being postponed due to a severe weather warning in the area.
Heavy rainfall in Lombardy has raised concerns that the pitch could be waterlogged. Over 6cm of rain is forecast across the 24 hours before kick-off at the 13,600-seater Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia, where only one of the four stands is covered.
Orange Warning Issued
An orange 'severe weather' warning has been issued by the Italian Air Force National Meteorological Service, indicating a risk of thunderstorms.
For their part, Como remain confident the match will not be postponed. And United manager Michael Carrick, asked if he has any concerns about the forecast, said: "No, nothing immediate from me, we're used to the rain. We'll make the most of it!"
Potential Rescheduling
It is unclear when the match would be played if it is cancelled this evening. While the Red Devils are not in action next midweek after being eliminated from the Carabao Cup by Brighton, Como are scheduled to play Torino in Serie A next Tuesday.
Going into this contest, United have only won two of their 10 matches across all competitions this season, and none of their last six.
Carrick on Pressure and Injuries
But facing Cesc Fabregas' Como, who sit fifth in the Italian top-flight table after seven matches, Carrick says he is completely comfortable with the increasing pressure he faces at Old Trafford.
"I don't need any reassurance," he said. "It's pretty clear. I know the role, I know my responsibilities. I don't need anyone else to tell me that or tell me when it's going well or when it needs to be better. I know that myself.
"I know the realities and I've got no problem with that. It's pretty clear. There's not much I can really elaborate on that.
"I know we've got to win football games for everything to flow and everything to fit into place. That's the great thing about it. We can do something about it.
"I'm in this position, I have a good relationship – a really good relationship with everybody at the football club. There's really no issues and no problems with any of that side. We've got to win games of football and that’s what we're striving to do."
Carrick is grappling without as many as eight senior players, including the suspended Leny Yoro who was sent off last week in a 2-0 defeat at Atletico Madrid. Lisandro Martinez, Kobbie Mainoo, Luke Shaw and Marcus Rashford are unavailable due to knocks, while Ayden Heaven is ill. Benjamin Sesko, Patrick Dorgu and Manuel Ugarte are longer-term absentees.
United's European campaign has so far seen them beat Azerbaijani minnows Sabah FK 4-0 before losing in Madrid in last week. While Como thrashed RB Leipzig 4-1 at home in their first-ever Champions League match before losing 3-2 at Feyenoord seven days ago.
