Como Humiliate Manchester United 4-1 as Nico Paz Stars in Champions League Masterclass

Manchester United’s difficult start to the 2026/27 season reached another low point on Wednesday night as Como produced a stunning 4-1 victory over the Red Devils in the UEFA Champions League.

Cesc Fàbregas’ Como delivered an outstanding performance at the Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia, exposing Manchester United’s defensive weaknesses and punishing their mistakes with ruthless efficiency. Nico Paz was at the centre of almost everything good from the Italian side, scoring twice and providing an assist as Como recorded one of the biggest European victories in the club’s history.

Joshua Zirkzee scored a late consolation for Manchester United, but the goal did little to change the mood surrounding a team that continues to struggle for consistency under Michael Carrick.

The defeat means United have now lost five matches in all competitions this season, while their winless run has stretched to seven consecutive games.

Paz gives Como the perfect start

Manchester United had barely settled into the match when Como delivered the first blow.

Nico Paz opened the scoring inside two minutes, curling a superb effort into the corner after United failed to close him down. The goal immediately placed the visitors under pressure and gave Como the confidence to take control of the contest.

It was another early setback for Carrick’s team in Europe. United had also conceded inside the opening minute against Atlético Madrid in their previous Champions League fixture, making their slow starts a growing concern. They subsequently became the first English side to concede in the opening two minutes of consecutive major European matches.

United did have opportunities to respond. Diogo Dalot had an early chance after Matheus Cunha created space for him, but his effort went wide. Harry Maguire also came close with a header from Bryan Mbeumo’s delivery.

Those missed opportunities proved costly because Como remained dangerous whenever they attacked.

Rather than sitting back after taking the lead, Fàbregas’ side continued to press Manchester United and moved the ball with confidence. United struggled to establish control in midfield, while their defensive organisation repeatedly came under pressure.

United fail to respond

Manchester United entered the match needing a positive result after a disappointing run of performances, but their problems became increasingly obvious as the first half progressed.

The Red Devils struggled to turn possession into clear opportunities and were frequently exposed when Como moved the ball quickly into attacking areas.

The statistics showed United having 55 percent possession and 13 total shots compared with Como’s 45 percent possession and 11 attempts. However, the numbers did not tell the full story because Como were far more clinical with the opportunities they created. United managed four shots on target, while Como registered eight.

That difference in efficiency eventually became decisive.

United went into the interval only one goal behind, but the performance offered little indication that a comeback was imminent.

Carrick responded by making changes at half-time, introducing Amad Diallo and Carlos Baleba as he attempted to give his team more attacking energy and greater control in the middle of the pitch.

Instead, Como struck again shortly after the restart.

Douvikas doubles Como’s advantage

Four minutes into the second half, Paz turned provider.

The Argentine midfielder found Tasos Douvikas, who exploited space in the Manchester United defence before finishing to make it 2-0.

The goal was another example of Como’s ability to exploit gaps in the visiting defence. United struggled to track runners and were punished for their lack of defensive concentration.

For Carrick, the timing of the goal was particularly damaging. Manchester United had gone into the break hoping to reset the match, only to concede almost immediately after the restart.

With Como now two goals ahead, United needed a strong reaction.

Instead, Paz returned to the spotlight.

Nico Paz completes his masterpiece

Paz scored his second goal of the night in the 57th minute to put Como firmly in control.

The midfielder capitalised on a poor decision from Baleba in United’s half, took possession and raced towards goal before calmly finishing.

It was the moment that effectively ended Manchester United’s hopes of rescuing the match.

Paz’s performance was not simply about his two goals. His movement, creativity and ability to exploit United’s defensive mistakes made him the standout player on the pitch. He also created the second goal for Douvikas, meaning he directly contributed to three of Como’s four goals.

By the final whistle, the 22-year-old had delivered the kind of Champions League performance that will be remembered for a long time by Como supporters.

Ramón adds a fourth

Como were not satisfied with a three-goal advantage.

In the 76th minute, Jacobo Ramón completed another impressive attacking move by heading home from Kaiki’s cross.

The goal summed up United’s night. Como were able to move the ball through the Red Devils’ defensive structure and find an unmarked player inside the area.

At 4-0, the match had become a humiliation for Manchester United.

The travelling supporters had arrived hoping to see their team recover from a difficult spell, but instead they witnessed one of the club’s most disappointing European performances in recent seasons.

Zirkzee scores late consolation

Manchester United eventually found the net in stoppage time, but Joshua Zirkzee’s goal was little more than a consolation.

Amad Diallo provided the delivery, with Zirkzee controlling the ball before firing past the Como goalkeeper in the 91st minute.

The goal gave United something to celebrate, but it could not disguise the problems that had already been exposed.

The final whistle confirmed a 4-1 defeat and another damaging result for Carrick’s side.

Nico Paz named Man of the Match

There was little doubt about the standout performer.

Nico Paz was the Man of the Match after producing a brilliant individual display against Manchester United.

The Argentine scored Como’s opening goal in the second minute before adding another in the 57th minute. He also assisted Douvikas for the second goal, giving him a direct involvement in three of Como’s four goals.

His performance combined attacking intelligence, composure and efficiency. Whenever United attempted to regain control, Paz remained a threat, constantly finding spaces between the lines and taking advantage of defensive mistakes.

For a player still establishing himself on the European stage, it was an exceptional display.

Manchester United’s season continues to unravel

For Manchester United, the defeat cannot be viewed as an isolated result.

It forms part of a worrying run that has seen the club struggle in both domestic and European competition.

Before travelling to Como, United had already lost to Hull City, Manchester City, Brighton & Hove Albion and Atlético Madrid this season. The 4-1 defeat in Italy means Carrick’s team have now suffered five defeats across all competitions.

Their other results have done little to ease the pressure. United have recorded only two victories so far this season, while several draws have prevented them from completely collapsing in the league standings.

The club’s recent form is even more concerning.

The Como defeat extended their winless streak to seven matches across all competitions, a run that has included defeats to Brighton, Atlético Madrid and Como as well as draws against Fulham, Tottenham and Leeds.

The situation has placed considerable pressure on Carrick.

Manchester United returned to the Champions League this season with hopes of competing at a much higher level, but after three league-phase matches they have collected only three points. Their European campaign has therefore become another source of concern rather than an opportunity to rebuild confidence.

Defensive problems becoming impossible to ignore

One of the clearest issues from the Como defeat was United’s defending.

They repeatedly allowed Como attackers to find space, while mistakes in possession created opportunities for the hosts.

The first goal came after Paz was given too much room. The second exposed United’s difficulty dealing with runners, while the third followed a costly mistake in midfield. The fourth then highlighted the lack of defensive awareness as Ramón was allowed to attack the cross.

These were not isolated incidents.

United have repeatedly struggled to maintain defensive concentration during their difficult run, and Como were able to exploit those weaknesses with impressive efficiency.

The return of Matthijs de Ligt to the starting XI also did little to solve the problem. The defender was making his first start in 325 days after a long absence caused by back problems, while United were also dealing with injuries and the suspension of Leny Yoro.

Those circumstances provide some context, but the scale of the defeat means excuses will not be enough.

What next for Manchester United?

Manchester United now have to respond quickly.

Their next Premier League fixture is against Bournemouth, giving Carrick and his players an immediate opportunity to stop the slide.

However, the pressure surrounding the manager and the team will be intense following the heavy defeat in Italy.

United cannot afford another performance like this if they are to remain competitive domestically and in Europe.

The club’s immediate objective must be to rediscover defensive stability, improve their intensity without the ball and find a way to turn possession into meaningful attacking opportunities.

Bruno Fernandes and the club’s senior players will also be expected to provide leadership during a difficult period. Fernandes struggled to influence proceedings against Como, while United’s attack failed to seriously threaten the hosts for long periods.

For Como, meanwhile, the night could hardly have gone better.

Fàbregas’ team combined organisation, energy and attacking quality to dismantle a Manchester United side that arrived with far greater European pedigree.

The result will be remembered as a historic night for the Italian club, while Paz’s two goals and assist ensured that his name will be at the centre of the celebrations.

For Manchester United, however, the 4-1 defeat represents another warning sign.

Five defeats in all competitions, seven games without a win and only three points from their first three Champions League matches leave the Red Devils facing a serious fight to turn their season around.

The quality of the opposition may change from one fixture to another, but the biggest challenge for Carrick now is finding consistency within his own team.

The defeat to Como has made that task even more urgent.