Nico Paz continues to live up to expectations as he and his Como teammates outclass a disgraceful Manchester United in a 4-1 Champions League victory.
Paz contributed to three of the four goals, scoring two and providing an assist in their rout of a United side that is proving it lacks the quality to compete with Europe’s elite clubs.
Is the writing on the wall evident for Michael Carrick, who’s failed to win in seven games?
Como graceful, United disgraceful
Como made a lightning start within two minutes. Paz found himself with acres of space on the right, then turned Noussair Mazraoui inside out and hammered a ball into the top corner from the edge of the penalty area.
United’s heads immediately dropped; Carrick’s were utterly disgraceful across every minute of the match.
Como found much joy in the centre of the pitch, running rings around Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans, who have been lacklustre this season since signing.
United offered nothing offensively; Bruno Fernandes was isolated again, and Bryan Mbeumo, along with Matheus Cunha, had little to work with.
Carrick rang the changes at half-time, introducing Carlos Baleba and Amad Diallo, but just as in the first half, Como got a second within two minutes.
Como picked up the ball in the middle of the pitch before Tasos Douvikas sprung the offside trap and ran onto a ball from Paz before slotting it past Senne Lammens.
In the 57th minute, Paz found the ball again, turning the United defence inside out before finding the bottom left corner. A goal which led to waves of travelling United fans heading to the exit.
Como knocked the ball around with infinite confidence oozing through Cesc Fabregas’ side.
The hosts scored a fourth in the 76th minute when centre-back Jacobo Ramon waltzed up the pitch heading home from a splendid cross from Como’s left.
Zirkzee scored a consolation for United, but unsurprisingly it was met with muted celebrations.
The attitude of the Red Devils is one of the worst we’ve seen since their 4-1 defeat to Watford under Ole Gunnar Solskjær, a result which led to his dismissal.
Captain Fernandes with words that speak volumes
Fernandes has had a poor start to the season, but in his post-match press interview on TNT Sports. He has proven he has had enough with the current state of the side.
Fernandes said to TNT Sports, “It’s the decision from the staff to not press man-to-man, and sometimes leave a little space in behind and try to get the ball in the first moment- to wait for them, to give them the ball.”
A comment that undoubtedly shows the Portuguese has had enough of the current tactics and management of the side. Throwing his manager under the bus.
He further added, “That’s on the manager and staff to see, not on me. I just said that, sometimes, we have to be more brave under pressure, trying to take a risk of getting that press very high and making them uncomfortable.”
Embed from Getty ImagesFernandes was possibly the only player attempting to press the Como backline while his teammates meandered around the midfield and their own final third.
Como were given so much time on the ball. The man who broke the record for most assists in a Premier League season couldn’t be more truthful with his comments.
If Fernandes has lost faith in his manager and the club, is this the last season for him playing in United’s red?
United’s freefall continues, with the club in disarray, especially after Lisandro Martinez’s comments following the loss to Atletico Madrid.
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