Cesc Fabregas has hit out at a lack of respect shown to Michael Carrick before Como face Manchester United in the Champions League on Wednesday.
The Como boss said stories linking him with the Manchester United job showed a lack of respect to current Old Trafford supremo Michael Carrick.
Fabregas Refuses to Answer Old Trafford Question
Fabregas is a highly rated coach after a successful stint with the Italian arrivistes, and he has been one of many managers mentioned as a potential alternative to Carrick, should the former United midfielder be ditched.
United have won just two of their first 10 games this season and have got off to their worst league start in 40 years, meaning Carrick travels to Como for a difficult Champions League tie under serious pressure.
But Fabregas refused to get drawn into a conversation around a potential return to the Premier League and said a question on whether he would be interested in the Old Trafford job was unfair on Carrick.
"I won't answer that question because I think that's not a very nice question," said Fabregas.
"I don't think that shows enough respect to a great footballer and manager like Michael Carrick at the helm of a wonderful Manchester United side."
Como's First Taste of Champions League Football
Although United have had their difficulties this season, Carrick said the draw at Leeds at the weekend felt like a "fresh start", but his injury-hit side will face a tough assignment against Fabregas' upwardly mobile Como side, who are enjoying their first taste of Champions League football.
They beat RB Leipzig 4-1 at the 12,000-capacity Giuseppe Sinigaglia Stadium in the opening match week before falling to defeat in Feyenoord, and Fabregas expects a real test against United, despite the start to the season they have made.
"Manchester United is a historical club I know very, very well," said Fabregas. "We have so much respect for who they are, for what they do, because they have incredible players.
"I know Steve Holland very well because I worked with him for years at Chelsea and I know Michael has done really well in previous clubs as well.
"Last year he did really well bringing Manchester United back to where they belong, which is the Champions League, for the first time in many years, so it's not all bad. It's an honour to host them for the first time in our history."
Fabregas Jokes About Parking the Bus
Fabregas answered questions in Italian and English during his press conference and showed the Premier League lexicon had not left him when he said his side would "park the bus" against United on Wednesday.
"We'll play all deep, and we'll park the bus because they're very good at counterattacks, so we try not to allow that," he said. "Joking apart, we'll try to play our natural game."
