Nico Paz scored twice as Como beat Manchester United 4–1. Read the key moments, statistics, Fernandes’ reaction, and what it means for Ugandan fans.
Manchester United’s troubled season deteriorated further as Como delivered a commanding 4–1 Champions League victory in Italy on Wednesday.
Nico Paz scored twice and supplied an assist, while Tasos Douvikas and Jacobo Ramón also struck. Joshua Zirkzee’s stoppage-time reply offered little comfort after United had been comprehensively beaten.
The result extended United’s winless run to seven matches across all competitions. More damagingly, the aftermath exposed contrasting explanations from captain Bruno Fernandes and manager Michael Carrick about what went wrong.
For Ugandan United supporters, this was another evening that ended with questions about direction, organisation and accountability.
Key Moments: Como Take Control
| Minute | Decisive moment |
| 2 | Paz curls Como ahead |
| 49 | Douvikas doubles the advantage |
| 57 | Paz scores his second |
| 76 | Ramón heads home Como’s fourth |
| 90+1 | Zirkzee replies for United |
Early Warning Becomes Another Early Goal
Diogo Dalot missed an early opportunity before Paz punished United at the opposite end.
The contrast established the pattern: United struggled to turn openings into meaningful pressure, while Como attacked with conviction.
Our Como vs Manchester United preview highlighted the visitors’ need for defensive protection. Instead, the hosts repeatedly found room to threaten.
At halftime, Carrick introduced Amad Diallo and Carlos Baleba for Matheus Cunha and Andrey Santos. The changes failed to reverse the contest.
Paz released Douvikas for the second goal, then capitalised on Baleba losing possession to score again. Ramón’s header completed Como’s scoring before Zirkzee converted Amad’s delivery, as detailed in Sky Sports’ match report.
Paz Gives Como Their Defining Performance
Paz’s influence extended beyond his finishing. His movement and passing repeatedly presented United with decisions they failed to solve.
According to Opta’s match analysis, he became the youngest player to register at least three direct goal involvements in a Champions League match against United, aged 22 years and 43 days.
That achievement reflected a performance built on both individual quality and collective support. Como gave their creative player options; United too often allowed him time to choose between them.
Cesc Fàbregas deserves credit for a team that played with clear connections between midfield and attack.
Match Statistics
Como’s superiority showed in their possession, passing accuracy and shots on target, despite United recording more attempts overall.
| Statistic | Como | Manchester United |
| Goals | 4 | 1 |
| Possession | 55% | 45% |
| Total shots | 11 | 13 |
| Shots on target | 8 | 4 |
| Shots off target | 3 | 6 |
| Shots blocked | 0 | 3 |
| Expected goals | 2.04 | 1.05 |
| Chances created | 9 | 7 |
| Corners | 1 | 4 |
| Passes attempted | 675 | 545 |
| Passes completed | 600 | 473 |
| Passing accuracy | 88.9% | 86.8% |
| Touches in opposition box | 20 | 18 |
| Goalkeeper saves | 3 | 4 |
| Interceptions | 14 | 9 |
| Successful tackles | 11 | 14 |
| Fouls committed | 10 | 11 |
| Offsides | 2 | 1 |
| Yellow cards | 1 | 3 |
| Red cards | 0 | 0 |
Sources: Sky Sports’ full match statistics and Opta’s expected goals analysis.
Como doubled United’s shots on target and produced almost twice their expected goals. United’s additional attempts and corners therefore did little to disguise the hosts’ greater attacking efficiency.
Expected goals measures chance quality, rather than guaranteeing a scoreline. Here, it supports the assessment that Como created the more dangerous opportunities.
Fernandes Questions the Pressing Plan
Fernandes’s post-match comments shifted attention towards United’s approach without possession.
In the interviews reported by Sky Sports, the captain explained that the coaching staff had chosen against pressing opponents individually, allowing Como time on the ball.
His concern was that this encouraged the hosts, forced United into exhausting defensive work and made attacking decisions harder after possession was recovered.
Carrick offered a different emphasis. He said United had attempted a partial man-to-man press after halftime and conceded from that approach.
The manager also questioned the team’s running, motivation and intensity.
These comments reveal disagreement about the performance. They do not, by themselves, establish that the dressing room has turned against Carrick. The immediate task is converting the criticism into a shared response.
Injuries Cannot Explain Every Failure
United’s selection difficulties provided relevant context, including Matthijs de Ligt returning after a lengthy absence.
However, disrupted personnel do not remove the need for coordinated movement. A defence needs protection from midfield, while a press requires players to act together.
If one player advances and another stays back, opponents can exploit the gap between them.
That is the practical challenge facing Carrick: establish an approach his available players can execute consistently.
The earlier 1–1 draw at Leeds had offered signs of greater commitment. This defeat undermined that encouragement and renewed concerns about whether improvements can survive beyond one match.
What It Means for Ugandan Supporters
For United followers watching from Kampala, Jinja, Gulu or Mbarara, the frustration extends beyond losing to less familiar opposition.
This demonstrated why a club’s reputation cannot substitute for preparation. Their movement, support around the ball and finishing provided useful talking points for local coaches, players and supporters following European football.
The same principles matter in Uganda: close midfield gaps, track runners and give the player in possession a passing option.
United fans debating the result should judge the next performance through those details. A stronger opening, coordinated pressure and fewer unchallenged runs would provide clearer evidence of progress than promises alone.
What Comes Next?
United have three points after three Champions League matches and face further pressure to improve their position.
Their immediate domestic assignment is Bournemouth at Old Trafford on Sunday, October 25.
Another fixture allows Carrick to respond, but the problems demand practical answers. United must start more alertly, protect possession and defend as a connected team.
The danger for United is that every setback now becomes a debate about individuals before the footballing problem is addressed. Responsibility belongs across the team and coaching staff. The next match needs visible agreements about who presses, who covers, and how the side responds when the first plan fails under pressure against opponents.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who scored in Como’s victory?
Paz scored twice, with Douvikas and Ramón also scoring. Zirkzee replied for United.
How long is United’s winless run?
Seven matches across all competitions, comprising three draws and four defeats.
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Verdict
Como earned their victory through precision and collective organisation. United left with another defeat and competing explanations that now require a common solution. For Ugandan supporters, the next demand is straightforward: a team that performs with purpose from kickoff to full time.
