Rio Ferdinand has criticised Manchester United's performance in their 4-1 Champions League defeat to Como, saying the team looked like they had 'won a raffle' to be in the competition.
United's poor start to the season hit a new low on Wednesday night as Cesc Fabregas' Como, who were in Serie D when United last won the Champions League in 2008, dismantled the Premier League side from the first minute.
Como's Dominant Display
Nico Paz put Como ahead inside two minutes before assisting the second goal, scored by Tasos Douvikas. Paz scored his second on the hour mark, and Jacobo Ramon headed home a fourth before Joshua Zirkzee scored a consolation goal for United in injury time.
Michael Carrick apologised to the travelling fans in his post-match press conference, describing the performance as 'not just bad but unacceptable'.
Ferdinand and Berbatov React
Ferdinand, a former United defender, posted on X: 'Cesc Fabregas' Como have made us look like a team who had won a raffle to be in the Champions League. At times it looked as though Como had 12 players on the pitch. We were toothless in attack, no running power in the team, no patterns of play and an inability to press Como.'
He added: 'A lot of credit has to go to Cesc and the way he has built this team and then you see the way he has got his ideas into this team. Everyone knows their jobs and are dialled in in and out of possession. They play to teammates under pressure – a great example of trust in one another. But that is no excuse for us, we were poor on the night and look a team on zero confidence right now – so much to do to turn this around. And I haven't even got onto the injuries! The difference in budgets certainly wasn't reflected in the difference between the two teams on the pitch! Nico Paz – lovely footballer by the way.'
Ferdinand's former teammate Dimitar Berbatov, speaking on TNT Sports, said: 'It was a terrible, terrible night and a terrible game for Manchester United. Como outplayed them in every way possible. It was like they were playing a reserve team, almost.'
Questions Over Players and Manager
Berbatov added: 'Are these the players who can compete for a club like Manchester United? Is it the right manager? Those questions will be asked after this kind of performance. It's going to be harder and harder for Michael Carrick to turn it around. It was like watching men against kids.'
Carrick said: 'It's the motivation, the intention, the intensity and the purpose that you have to bring to a game of football. We didn't bring that today.'
United summer signing Youri Tielemans added: 'We got outplayed for most of the game so it was a very disappointing night. It's everything. You can be good tactically but if the effort is not good [then it will not work] and vice versa. You need to be good at everything and tonight we were poor. It comes down to that.'
United have won just two of their first 11 games of the 2026/27 campaign. They return to Premier League action on Sunday against Bournemouth.
