In the third round of the UEFA Champions League league phase for the 2026/2027 season, Como under Cesc Fabregas secured a convincing 4-1 victory over Manchester United. The match, held at an Italian stadium, marked the Mancunians' second consecutive defeat in the tournament and served as a serious signal that Michael Carrick's team has yet to find stable form on the European stage. Conversely, the Italians confirmed their status as one of the major revelations of the season in both Serie A and the Champions League.
Paz's Early Goal and Como's First-Half Pressure
The Italian side waste no time, taking the lead in just the second minute of the match: Nico Paz capitalized on one of their very first chances to open the scoring. This quick goal dictated the flow of the game—Como played with confidence, controlling possession and putting pressure on the visitors' defense. Manchester United, on the other hand, looked flustered and failed to turn the tide before halftime, trailing 1-0.
Second Half: A Rout Sealed in 30 Minutes
After the break, the hosts' advantage only grew. In the 49th minute, Anastasios Douvikas doubled the score, and soon after, Nico Paz completed his brace: the midfielder intercepted the ball near the sideline, burst into the penalty area with pace, and precisely fired it into the far bottom corner of the net. In the 76th minute, Jacobo Ramón brought the score to a resounding 4-0. The visitors' only goal came from Joshua Zirkzee, who scored following an assist from Amad Diallo to set the final score at 4-1 in favor of Como.
Manchester United: A Losing Streak and Questions for Carrick
For Michael Carrick's team, this result was a continuation of a poor run in the Champions League. In the opening round, the Mancunians thrashed Azerbaijani side Sabah 4-0, but in the second round they fell 0-2 to Atlético Madrid, and have now suffered their third defeat in the tournament. After three matches, Manchester United has accumulated only three points, casting doubt on the team's prospects in the upper half of the league phase table. Football circles are already buzzing that Carrick's future as head coach is in question.
Fabregas's Como: From Sensational Debut to Confident Play
The Italian club, managed by Cesc Fabregas, has had an inconsistent but productive Champions League campaign: Como thrashed RB Leipzig 4-1 in the first round, lost 2-3 to Feyenoord in the second, and secured a resounding victory over Manchester United in the third. Fabregas's side also has three points, but their attacking potential, showcased against the Mancunians, commands respect. Standouts for Como included Nico Paz, Douvikas, and Ramón, who became the heroes of the match.
What's Next: Roma and Lens in the Fourth Round
In the next round of the Champions League league phase, Manchester United will host Italian side Roma at Old Trafford on November 3, while Como will play away against French side Lens the following day. For the Mancunians, the match against Roma will be pivotal: another defeat could severely complicate their quest for a playoff spot. Como, meanwhile, aims to cement its status as one of the biggest surprise packages of the current campaign.
