Peter Schmeichel has singled out Noussair Mazraoui and Matthijs de Ligt for criticism and slammed the Manchester United squad after their 4-1 defeat to Como in the Champions League. Michael Carrick's side found themselves 3-0 down before the hour mark as their European struggles continued with a second successive defeat.
Substitute Joshua Zirkzee grabbed a late consolation for the Reds, who were largely outplayed throughout the evening in northern Italy. Frustrated travelling supporters began leaving the Giuseppe Sinigaglia Stadium during the second half, with only around 100 of the 700 away fans remaining in their seats.
Carrick apologises after heavy defeat
Following the final whistle, Carrick headed straight towards the away end with his palms outstretched in an apparent gesture of apology to the travelling supporters. The United boss walked past his players without acknowledging them before making his way down the tunnel.
"It was more than disappointing," Carrick said afterwards. "I think everybody has got to take responsibility for that. I 100 per cent take responsibility for the overall team and the performance. That's where it stops - it stops with me and I'm absolutely fine with that. I accept that totally."
Schmeichel criticises De Ligt and Mazraoui
Schmeichel directed his criticism at two players in Mazraoui and De Ligt. The Dutchman started the match in what was his return to the fold in almost a year out through injury.
"We line-up in the Champions League - don't forget how happy I was on this programme that we were back in the Champions League, I couldn't wait to follow this team - and today, we line-up with De Light centre-half," Schmeichel said on CBS Sports. "He hasn't played a minute since November last season. He's on the bench against Leeds for the first time, I don't know how much he's trained. And it shows. You've got Mazraoui there who played left-back to begin with.
"Obviously, something wasn't working, so they put him out at right-back, and I heard Michael correctly point him out on the second goal; his positioning, all of that, is simply not good enough. I don't know how long it's going to take, and what it's going to take to correct it, but not good enough."
United 'not brave enough'
On the overall performance, the former Reds goalkeeper expressed his frustration at United's lack of courage and fight, insisting the players looked overwhelmed by pressure.
The Dane added: "I'm thinking back four years from where we were. If it only takes four years to correct this Manchester United team, then there is something positive in this. But their performance today has simply not been good enough. They look like a team where every individual feels under pressure, has lost their guts, not brave enough to take the game onto Como, and of course, again, conceding a goal within the first two minutes. And it simply is not good enough."
"Absolutely not what I expected, but definitely something I feared. It's not been great. I was at Leeds on Sunday, we came away with a respectable draw. And, of course, doing this kind of job where you have to analyse it after. You have to find - as a Manchester United supporter - something positive to say. And I said there was a little bit of fight in that Manchester United team that day in Leeds. But it wasn't a great game.
"It wasn't like Manchester United had chances. The only good thing - a little bit of progress - was in that game against Leeds, they scored in the first-half for the second time. There are goals in the team in the first-half. But all in all, it's just very frustrating to watch."
United have now suffered two defeats in their opening three Champions League matches, with Sunday's Premier League clash against Bournemouth at Old Trafford potentially proving decisive in determining Carrick's future.
