After the hostile surroundings of Atletico Madrid and Leeds United, Manchester United's third successive away game takes them to the rather more picturesque lakeside setting of Como.

The atmosphere may be less intimidating, but the task will be no easier against a side whose rapid rise under Cesc Fabregas has taken them into Europe for the first time. Promoted to Serie A just two years ago, the Biancoblu pipped AC Milan and Juventus to Champions League qualification last season and marked their debut with a stirring 4-1 win over RB Leipzig.

They were brought back to earth by last week's 3-2 defeat at Feyenoord, but Fabregas insisted any blame for that result lay with him, not his squad.

He says he told them: "Don't hang your heads. These are nights that help you grow." Another formative test awaits against the three-time European champions, although the Red Devils head to Italy short on confidence.

Head coach Michael Carrick likened Sunday's draw at Leeds to a "fresh start", saying he was "encouraged by a lot of things" he saw at Elland Road, but the result extended United's winless run to six matches.

They have not gone seven games without a victory since 2015.

• Italian sides have won just two of their past 16 games against Manchester United (D4, L10).

• Como are the second side in Champions League history who didn't pick one domestic player in their starting XI for their first two matches. The other was Moldova's Sheriff Tiraspol in 2021.

The Argentine number 10 is Como's crown jewel and chief creative influence. He contributed 12 goals and six assists in 35 Serie A appearances last season and was named the league's best midfielder.

The son of former Argentina international Pablo Paz, who ended his career in Spain, Nico was born in Tenerife and progressed through Real Madrid's academy before joining Como in 2024.

Fabregas spent the final year of his glittering playing career in Serie B with Como before briefly coaching their under-19s. He took charge of the first team as caretaker in November 2023, then assisted Welshman Osian Roberts while completing his coaching qualifications.

After they led Como to promotion, Roberts moved into a development role and Fabregas became permanent head coach.

Como's multi-national squad features players from 13 different countries, including England's Trevoh Chalobah. Chalobah has quickly earned a starting role, though he was forced off injured at the weekend.

His former Chelsea team-mate Robert Sanchez, who is on loan from the Blues, has mainly served as understudy to French goalkeeper Jean Butez, playing twice so far.