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According to a report by Evening Standard on Wednesday October 21, 2026, Manchester United suffered a humiliating 4-1 defeat against Como in the Champions League on Wednesday, October 21, as pressure continued to mount on manager Michael Carrick following another disappointing result.
The Red Devils travelled to Italy hoping to get their European campaign back on track but were comprehensively beaten by Cesc Fabregas' side, extending their winless run in all competitions to seven matches.
The latest setback has raised further questions about United's performances and Carrick's ability to turn the situation around, with the club struggling to find the consistency required to compete at the highest level.
United's difficult run reportedly began with a 1-0 defeat against Manchester City in the Manchester derby. Since then, the team have been unable to secure a victory, leaving supporters increasingly concerned about the direction of the campaign.
The defeat against Como will be particularly difficult to accept given the margin of the loss. Conceding four goals in a Champions League fixture highlights the scale of the challenge facing Carrick as he attempts to improve his team's performances.
Como, meanwhile, produced an impressive display in front of their home supporters. Fabregas' team took advantage of the occasion to record a convincing victory over one of European football's most recognisable clubs.
For Manchester United, the result leaves little room for celebration and places greater importance on their response in the coming days.
The Red Devils have also slipped to 22nd in the Champions League league-phase table, according to the report. That position places additional pressure on the team to collect points in their remaining fixtures and strengthen their chances of progressing to the next stage of the competition.
Although there is still football to be played, United cannot afford to continue dropping points if they hope to make meaningful progress in Europe.
Carrick now faces an important period in his tenure as scrutiny over the team's results continues to grow. The manager will need to address the defensive problems exposed against Como while finding a way to restore confidence and improve the team's attacking threat.
The loss also raises questions about the squad's mentality, particularly after a series of disappointing results. United must demonstrate greater resilience if they are to recover from their current difficulties.
However, the immediate focus will turn to their next Premier League fixture against Bournemouth at Old Trafford on Sunday.
The match offers Carrick and his players an opportunity to respond to the heavy European defeat in front of their home supporters. A positive result could help ease some of the pressure, although another disappointing performance would likely intensify the criticism surrounding the team.
Manchester United have endured difficult periods before, but their current run of results leaves little room for complacency. The club must find a way to stop the slide and regain the consistency expected of a team with their ambitions.
For Carrick, the priority is clear: deliver an improved performance, end the winless run and provide evidence that United can recover from this setback.