Champions League: Como 4-1 Man United

Manchester United’s Champions League campaign suffered a heavy blow on Wednesday evening as Como 1907 beat them 4-1 in the league phase. The hosts struck inside two minutes and were 4-0 up by the 76th, before United scored a late consolation in the 90th.

Early goal sets the tone

Como scored in the 2nd minute and never looked back. They doubled their lead four minutes after the break, in the 49th, and added a third in the 57th. A fourth followed in the 76th, which left United facing a heavy defeat, though they did get a late consolation, scored in the final minute.

Clinical hosts, wasteful United

The numbers show how clinically Como played. They had 54 per cent of possession and put nine of their 12 shots on target. United managed 13 shots, but only four were on target, with seven off target and two blocked. United’s goalkeeper made five saves, and his Como counterpart four.

United were also less disciplined, collecting three yellow cards in the 25th, 51st and 86th minutes to Como’s one, in the 84th. They won more corners than their hosts, four to one, but had little to show for the territory.

Contrasting seasons

The defeat comes after a mixed start to United’s European return. United beat Sabah 4-0 on their return to the competition under Michael Carrick, with Cesc Fabregas’ Como announcing themselves on their own debut with a 4-1 win over RB Leipzig on the same night. United then lost 2-0 at Atlético Madrid on October 13, and Wednesday’s result adds a second straight defeat.

In the league-phase standings, United are 20th with three points from one win and two defeats, inside the 24 places that currently qualify for the knockout stage, though only on goal difference. Como sit sixth on six points, with two wins and a defeat.

What’s next

United’s next Champions League fixtures are a home game against AS Roma on November 3, an away trip to Sporting CP on November 25 and a home tie with RB Leipzig on December 8. Another poor result would put their top-24 hopes in real danger.