Cesc Fabregas has declined to discuss speculation linking him with the Manchester United managerial position, saying it would show a lack of respect to Michael Carrick. The Como manager spoke ahead of his side's Champions League meeting with United at the Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia.
Fabregas refuses to engage with speculation
Asked about the possibility of eventually taking charge at Old Trafford, the former Arsenal, Barcelona and Chelsea midfielder said: "As you can understand I won't answer that question because I think that's not a very nice question. 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."
Fabregas also rejected suggestions of turmoil at United, describing the visit as a "historic day once again for the club, the city of Como and fanbase".
Respect for United's revival
"Man United is a historical club that I know very, very well," he added. "Tomorrow there will be two teams that will try to compete against each other. We have so much respect for who they are, for what they do because they have incredible players, good staff."
He noted his familiarity with United assistant Steve Holland from their time together at Chelsea, and praised Carrick's work: "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 not everything is that bad."
Como's rapid rise under Fabregas
Como have progressed quickly under Fabregas, who ended his playing career in Lombardy. He guided the club to an end of their 21-year exile from Serie A in 2024, and last season secured their first-ever qualification for European football.
Their Champions League debut brought a 4-1 win over RB Leipzig, followed by a 3-2 defeat at Feyenoord. Fabregas described hosting United as "a big honour... for the first time in our history", while stressing this "is only the start of our development".
Reflecting on the transformation, he said: "I arrived here over four years ago as a player and I finished my career here. If you see what I saw when I came here and what it is now, it's completely different. It's not even night and day. It's like we are in another world and it happened very, very fast. That's why sometimes we need to touch base, be humble, keep doing what we're doing. There's a lot to do, a lot to learn."
