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Cesc Fabregas admitted his only regret following Como's 4-1 Champions League victory over Manchester United was instructing his players to take their foot off the gas in the closing stages. Nico Paz gave Como a dream start, breaking the deadlock inside two minutes, before the Italian side raced into a 3-0 lead before the hour mark.
Paz added another goal, while Anastasios Douvikas and Jacobo Ramon also got on the scoresheet. United captain Bruno Fernandes was replaced by Joshua Zirkzee in the 66th minute, with the substitute later grabbing a consolation goal.
Speaking in his post-match press conference, Fabregas admitted he had made a mistake by asking his players to ease off rather than continue attacking United, taking full responsibility for the decision. "I regret the last 10 minutes because I was the one who told the team to slow down the tempo because there's another match and at 4-0 we could manage things a little," the former Arsenal and Chelsea midfielder said.
"I told the players to stop running and stay in the middle and that is something I regret because I'm the first to always push them to fight until the end.
"Their goal hurt me because we dropped our intensity and dropped our defensive block, but it was my fault. I'm very happy with how the players applied everything we tried to do, not only in terms of quality, which was high, but also the way we were pressing relentlessly until the 85th minute.
"We are trying to create a culture at the club, a style of play and an identity. Tonight was another convincing moment for us."
It was another dismal display from Michael Carrick's side, with the pressure continuing to grow on the United head coach. Carrick approached the away end to apologise at full-time, but only around 100 of the 700 travelling supporters remained after fans began leaving following Como's fourth goal.
The United boss also questioned his players' commitment, while captain Fernandes raised concerns over the coaching staff's tactics. For Fabregas, however, it was an evening to remember, with the Como manager expressing his pride in his players after their emphatic victory over the Red Devils.
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We know the history of our club, how much they have suffered over the last many years," he added. "Obviously, I hope that tomorrow all the boys and girls go to school wearing the Como shirt and feel proud.
"I'm very happy with how the players applied everything we tried to do, not only in terms of quality, which was high, but also the way we were pressing relentlessly until the 85th minute. We are trying to create a culture at the club, a style of play and an identity. Tonight was another convincing moment for us.
"I can't lie to you that it wasn't pride [beating Man United]. I always tell the lads, enjoy yourselves, fight, do everything to make the best career possible for each one of you, because it goes by quickly. They made me enjoy myself tonight, but not so much for the win, for the result, because they played like I like my team to play, with conviction, with quality, with a clear head, with aggressiveness, with a fierce pressing."
United are next in action on Sunday when they host Bournemouth in the Premier League, with the result potentially having significant implications for Carrick's future.
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