It seems increasingly inevitable that Michael Carrick’s time as Manchester United manager is coming to an end after his side suffered a humiliating 4-1 defeat to Cesc Fàbregas’ Como in northern Italy.
United looked deflated and devoid of ideas as the home side outplayed them throughout the ninety minutes, with the first of four goals arriving in the second minute, courtesy of Argentine starlet Nico Paz.
After a draw against Leeds in the Premier League at the weekend, Carrick spoke of a ‘fresh start’ and improved intensity from United’s previous games this season, but Wednesday evening’s performance evidenced anything but that.
United’s only sign of life came in stoppage time as Amad’s inswinging cross was put away from close range by Joshua Zirkzee, but the late consolation did little to lighten the mood for the visiting Reds in Italy. By that point, the damage had long been done, and the sense that Carrick’s tenure is reaching its inevitable conclusion had settled in.
An early goal set the tone
Despite United having opportunities to make an early impression, it was Como who seized control almost immediately. Just two minutes into the contest, Paz found space inside the penalty area before cutting onto his left foot and curling a superb finish beyond Senne Lammens.
The goal set the tone for what followed as Como played with confidence and purpose, moving the ball sharply and repeatedly finding gaps in a United side that appeared incapable of responding to the hosts’ aggressive approach.
United struggled to maintain possession, offered little threat going forward and looked vulnerable whenever Como advanced into the final third. There was little evidence of the renewed intensity Carrick had referenced on the weekend, with the visitors instead appearing overwhelmed by a side who seemed to understand their tactical and individual responsibilities far better.
United were still in the game at half-time going by the scoreboard, but the performance offered little reason to believe a comeback was possible.
United collapse in the second half
Any lingering hope of a United recovery was extinguished shortly after the interval, as four minutes into the second half, Ramon doubled the hosts lead. Paz threaded an incisive pass through the United defence for Douvikas, who raced through on goal and finished emphatically to double Como’s advantage.
The half-time introductions of Carlos Baleba and Amad in place of Santos and Cunha did little to sway the games momentum, although the pair that came on did stand out as two of United’s better players in the second half.
Paz then struck again in the 57th minute, capitalising on a defensive error to leave United facing an increasingly embarrassing defeat. The Argentine was the outstanding player on the pitch, combining technical quality and athletic prowess with an awareness of the space United repeatedly left available.
At 3-0, the contest was effectively over, with United lacking the organisation to contain Como and the attacking quality to threaten a response. Carrick’s midfield was bypassed too easily, while a vulnerable defensive line looked increasingly uncertain under pressure.
De Ligt in particular, who made his return to action for United for the first time in almost a year looked languid in his movement and unprepared for the challenges Como posed.
Jacobo Ramón added a fourth in the 76th minute, completing a dominant performance from the hosts. Zirkzee’s late goal provided a brief consolation, but it did little to disguise the gulf between the sides on the night.
Carrick looked to Carrington for new ideas of the bench late on in the form of Harry Amass and Shea Lacey, though with how Como had taken complete control of the game by that point, neither could have a meaningful impact despite their efforts.
For Como, it was a statement victory that will leave a lasting memory of a performance built on intelligent movement, clinical finishing and collective discipline, while United’s showing represented the polar opposite in every way.
Carrick’s time is up
The defeat feels less like a setback from which Carrick can recover and more like confirmation of a managerial tenure that has run its course. The problems on display were not confined to one defensive mistake or an unfortunate spell of pressure, instead United lacked a coherent attacking plan, struggled to control the midfield and showed little of the determination required to compete at the highest level.
Carrick’s promise of a fresh start after the draw against Leeds now looks increasingly hollow., and whatever optimism remained has been severely undermined by a performance in which United were outplayed from the opening minutes to the final whistle.
There is little to suggest that the current trajectory can be reversed, and the questions surrounding Carrick’s future have become increasingly difficult to ignore. A result of this magnitude, against opposition United would have expected to compete with, only strengthens the feeling that a change in the dugout is approaching.
For Fàbregas, meanwhile, the evening was a demonstration of the progress Como have made under his leadership. Paz was magnificent, the attacking movement was incisive and the team executed its game plan with a composure United have not shown for a very long time.
United find themselves in a chillingly familiar position in which a managerial change is on the horizon once more. Fans and the media can debate tirelessly whose style and credentials are best suited to the role, though its hard not to feel as though the problems which start ownership level and trickle down to every level of the club will continue to be prohibitive for even the most talented of coaches.
