Manchester United suffered one of their most embarrassing European nights in years as Como ran out 4-1 winners at the Giuseppe Sinigaglia on Wednesday, extending the club's winless run to seven matches across all competitions.

Michael Carrick's side were outclassed from start to finish by Cesc Fabregas' well-drilled outfit, who pressed with ferocity and punished every lapse in United's disorganised defensive structure.

Paz's masterclass punishes United's failings

The damage was done inside two minutes. Harry Maguire afforded Nico Paz far too much space on the edge of the area, and the Argentina international curled a stunning opener into the top corner. United, who have now conceded in the opening exchanges of back-to-back Champions League fixtures — a first for any English club — never recovered their composure.

Paz was the defining figure of the evening. His reading of the game, movement, and technical quality repeatedly exposed a United midfield that was static and unable to track runners. A third goal arrived in the 57th minute when Carlos Baleba, introduced at half-time, made a reckless turn in his own half and Paz pounced, raced clear, and finished with conviction.

Tasos Douvikas added a second goal in the 49th minute, running in behind Matthijs de Ligt — making his first start in 325 days after a lengthy back problem — before firing low into the net. The Belgian defender's return due to a club-wide injury crisis offered some context, but did little to excuse the collective defensive collapse.

Jacobo Ramon completed the rout in the 76th minute, heading home unmarked from a sweeping team move that underlined just how wide the gap between the sides had grown.

Fernandes invisible as United's problems deepen

Bruno Fernandes, United's designated talisman, produced another forgettable display. The Portugal captain has been directly involved in just one goal across his past nine appearances for the club, and his repeated head-shaking on the pitch captured the mood of a travelling support standing in torrential rain watching their side dismantled.

Joshua Zirkzee's injury-time header provided a late, hollow consolation in the 91st minute, but it changed nothing about the scale of the defeat.

A desperate position in Europe

United now have just three points from their opening three Champions League matches, leaving them in a precarious position in the league phase. The task of reaching the knockout rounds is already steep, and confidence within the squad appears critically low.

More urgently, Carrick must find answers ahead of Sunday's Premier League fixture at home to Bournemouth — a match United cannot afford to lose if they are to arrest a slide that is quickly becoming a crisis.