Manchester United suffered a humiliating 4-1 defeat at Como, as Michael Carrick's side were outpassed and outclassed on a miserable night in Lake Como. The hosts took the lead after just 119 seconds, with Nico Paz given time and space to pick out the top corner from the edge of the box. United had conceded within 47 seconds last time out against Atletico Madrid, marking a slight improvement, but this was another occasion where Carrick's side were utterly dominated by a European minnow.
Paz shines as Como run riot
Paz turned from goalscorer to provider in another quick start to a half, setting up Anastasios Douvikas to tuck the ball confidently past Senne Lammens. He then returned to the scoresheet after dispossessing Carlos Baleba and running free to add a third. Jacob Ramon grabbed a fourth with a free header from close range before Joshua Zirkzee's late consolation.
Here, Express Sport rates the woeful United players:
Goalkeeper and Defence
Senne Lammens - 6: Little could be done to stop any of the four goals but will feel fortunate that the flag went up as he caught Douvikas inside the box and a penalty was prevented.
Diogo Dalot - 5: Spurned a big opportunity in the opening exchanges. Switched to left-back in the second half but didn't fare any better on that flank.
Matthijs De Ligt - 5: His first appearance in 325 days, somewhat enforced by an injury crisis at the back, and he was understandably rusty and let Douvikas slip away on occasion. But positive to see him back on the pitch regardless.
Harry Maguire - 4: Needed to be more proactive in closing Paz down for Como's opener but recovered in the first half to deny Martin Baturina with a last-ditch tackle. The leader of a back four that got nowhere near Como's attack.
Noussair Mazraoui - 5: Slow to the press, which allowed Como to break through for their second.
Midfield and Attack
Andrey Santos - 3: Took less than two minutes for Santos to take his eye off Paz, who duly punished a lapse of concentration on the edge of the box. The Brazilian was seemingly tasked with a man-marking job, but too frequently let the new Argentina No. 10 drift into dangerous areas. Booked after 24 minutes when Paz turned him inside out with a fabulous piece of skill. No surprise when he was hooked at half-time.
Youri Tielemans - 4: Couldn't get close to the Como midfield and struggled to set the tempo when United had the ball. A very poor evening for the Belgian.
Mason Mount - 5: Introduced for his energy in midfield but Como almost appeared as if they had an extra man in the engine room, despite United starting with four bodies in that area of the pitch.
Bryan Mbeumo - 5: United's biggest threat, but the attack was completely blunt and needs a serious examination in the days to come.
Bruno Fernandes - 4: Moved back to United's most advanced central player after an ill-fated time at left wing, but the skipper should be creating chances for others, what he does best, rather than spending his time playing close to goal. Could be seen furiously shouting at team-mates to join him in pressing the Como backline to little avail. Ineffective in his own game too before being hooked just after the hour mark, which he was not best pleased about.
Matheus Cunha - 4: On the receiving end of a Michael Carrick tirade after 20 minutes, with the head coach unhappy with the Brazilian. Struggled to get involved as Como dominated possession and isn't the counter-attacking threat that Marcus Rashford, Bryan Mbeumo or Amad are. The latter came on at half-time to replace Cunha.
Substitutes
Carlos Baleba (45') - 4: His poor pass, a blind turn around the corner, was cut out and Paz raced through for Como's third.
Amad (45') - 6: Some good touches but the game was practically over just seconds after he entered the fray.
Joshua Zirkzee (67') - 7: Got a goal but far too little, too late, to turn things around.
Harry Amass (79') - 6: Gave Matthijs De Ligt the end of the game off as the Dutchman returned after 11 months out. Some valuable minutes for the youngster.
Shea Lacey (86') - N/A
