COMO 4-1 MAN UTD: Michael Carrick watched his team put in arguably their worst performance of the season, as Cesc Fabregas' side ran riot in a one-sided Champions League affair

The pressure has been plunged back onto Michael Carrick after Manchester United were hammered 4-1 by Champions League debutants Como. After a battling 1-0 draw at Leeds, the Red Devils reverted to default settings in Italy and produced the kind of abject performance that's been too familiar this season - perhaps their worst, in fact.

Como's star player, Nico Paz, only needed two minutes to break the deadlock. The Argentina international, so highly rated that he's tipped to be Lionel Messi's successor, curled in a shot just inside the 18-yard box after the Red Devils afforded him too much space.

United made a slow start to the second half, too, as both Anastasios Douvikas and Paz netted within 12 minutes of the restart. Carrick's team had no response as the game looked to be petering out until Como centre-back Jacobo Ramon rubbed salt in the wounds by completing a superb team goal before Joshua Zirkzee grabbed a late consolation.

A depleted United squad had made the journey to a wet Como after nine first-team players were ruled out. United's shortage defenders saw Matthijs de Ligt make his long-awaited return to the starting line-up after 325 days out with a back injury, while Mason Mount was also recalled to face Cesc Fabregas' side.

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United can't wait until the summer

Played 11, conceded 18 and one clean sheet. United's injury-hit defence is leaking goals and Old Trafford chiefs would be naive to wait until next summer to strengthen their backline.

On Tuesday, it was reported that the Red Devils plan to sign a left-back and potentially two centre-backs in 2027, but not in January. That'll strike fear into the hearts of fans, who are watching their team concede game after game.

Paz's opener demonstrated that isn't just individuals who need to improve. The sight of dumbfounded Harry Maguire, Andrey Santos, Noussair Mazraoui and Matheus Cunha all stood looking at each other after the ball flashed past Senne Lammens spoke volumes about their issues out of possession.

Carrick needs to find a system that's harder to break through. Right now, the Como side of 2018 in the fourth division of Italian football would probably score against United.

Cunha and Santos were both subbed off at half-time, as Carrick looked for a solution. The Red Devils boss also made a tactical change by swapping full-backs Dalot and Mazraoui, sending Bruno Fernandes to the left and putting Bryan Mbeumo up front.

But it didn't turn the tide. Como doubled their lead through Douvikas in the 49th minute - and once it again it was far too easy. Carlos Baleba got turned in midfield Lucas De Cunha and United didn't react quick enough, with Douvikas eventually being too sharp for De Ligt and keeping his cool to finish.

Paz announces himself to Europe

Tottenham fans must be thinking to themselves, 'what could've been?'. Paz was heavily linked with a move to Spurs on several occasions before Como paid €60million (£50.3m) to make his loan permeant this summer - and don't be surprised to see Real Madrid activate their buy-back clause.

The 22-year-old was outsanding on the night and looked unplayable against a pourous United. Paz's goal to make it three wasn't as spectacular as his first, but it showed another side to his game.

After closing down Baleba, the playmaker burst away down the right with one thing on his mind. Paz never looked like missing, as he slotted home with his wand of a left foot.

Anyone for a Messi comparison? We may well be seeing plenty of those in the years to come.

Time for up Carrick?

The inquest was put on hold against Leeds, but now it's been blown open again. Carrick said at his pre-match press conference that he knows he has to win games of football, and two in 11 is far from substantial.

When Fernandes was withdrawn to a shake of the head in the 67th minute, it felt like his manager had given up on the tie. Carrick has tweaked his formation of late and deployed a more conservative approach in a bid to steady a ship which is sinking fast ahead of Bournemouth's visit to to Old Trafford on Sunday.

But will Carrick be there to welcome them? If the former United midfielder does receive a stay of execution, then games against Chelsea, high-flying Roma and Aston Villa are on the agenda before a trip to Anfield after the international break.