Rio Ferdinand has launched a scathing attack on Manchester United following their humiliating 4-1 Champions League defeat to Como

Rio Ferdinand has unleashed a blistering critique of Manchester United after their embarrassing 4-1 Champions League thrashing by Como, claiming they looked like they'd won 'a raffle' to play in Europe's premier competition. The United icon also slammed the side as 'toothless' and said they couldn't press and were lacking 'running power.'

United suffered a disastrous opening, conceding a goal within the first two minutes and facing an uphill battle. Michael Carrick's men were thoroughly dominated by their Italian rivals, who stormed into a 3-0 advantage before the hour mark.

Nico Paz bagged a brace as United's winless streak extended to seven games in all competitions. Skipper Bruno Fernandes was hauled off in the 66th minute, while Joshua Zirkzee entered from the bench to net a late consolation just before stoppage time.

Make sure you never miss the most fun content in sport by making the Daily Star one of your Google preferred sources.

The outcome represented United's second consecutive loss in the competition, heaping additional pressure on Carrick as the club's woes show scant signs of abating. With doubts intensifying over his position, Sunday's Premier League fixture against Bournemouth at Old Trafford is emerging as a potentially pivotal showdown for the beleaguered head coach.

Ferdinand vented his fury on X, posting: "Cesc Fabregas Como have made us look like a team who had won a RAFFLE to be in the Champions league. At times it looked as though Como had 12 players on the pitch. We were TOOTHLESS in attack. NO running power in the team. An INABILITY to press Como. NO patterns in possession.

"A lot of credit has to go to Cesc and the way he has built this team & then you see the way he has got his ideas into this team. Everyone knows their jobs and are dialled in in and out of possession. They play to teammates under pressure - a great example of trust in one another. But that is no excuse for us, we were poor on the night and look a team on zero confidence right now - so much to do to turn this around....

"And I haven't even got onto the injuries! The difference in budgets certainly wasn't reflected in the difference between the two teams on the pitch! Nico Paz - lovely footballer btw."

United's woeful start to the campaign hit a new low, with a clearly incensed Carrick once more apologising for his team's display. He made a beeline for the away end to personally say sorry to the travelling faithful before directing his anger at his own squad.

The ex-midfielder didn't shirk accountability for the loss, making it clear the buck stopped with him. He stated: "I 100 per cent take responsibility for the overall team and the performance. That's where it stops. It stops with me.

"There was a lot going through my mind watching that. I always go over to the fans regardless. I was one of them. To spend your money and come and hope for something - I feel for the fans for sure."

After questioning their effort levels, Carrick was asked if the players were still playing for him. "It's not about playing for me, it's about playing for this football club," he added.

"It's the responsibility that comes with being in the position; I'm responsible for the football club and the supporters. I'm giving my best, absolute best all the time, I care about it. My whole life's wrapped around it. I genuinely give everything that I possibly can."

Asked if his players were matching that commitment, Carrick admitted: "I'd like to think so. I didn't like what I saw tonight, though."

In a surprising move, skipper Bruno Fernandes publicly challenged the tactics employed by Carrick and his backroom team during a post-match chat with HBO Max, saying: "It's a decision from the staff to not press man-to-man and sometimes leave space behind and try to get the ball, wait for them, but sometimes when you give space to these teams they get confidence.

"It's not the first time, we started on the wrong foot, and they scored very early. Not much pressure on the ball, not many good movements with the ball, not many things going our way. Conceding early makes us go into game with a mood of defeat, it's difficult to get out of that, trying to be brave, to have the ball and make something happen. If we are not able to do that, it is going to be very difficult to get out of this situation."

When quizzed further about Carrick's part in the loss, Fernandes responded: "That's on the manager and staff to see, not me. Sometimes you have to be more brave under pressure, take the risk of pressing high and making them uncomfortable. As you saw with them [Como], the centre-back was coming to mark me in my own half.

"We need to do that as a team but we were unable to. A team that plays through the middle with small connections, if you give them too much time and space then they can hurt you out wide."

Sunday's Premier League showdown with Bournemouth could be make-or-break for Carrick's tenure, with United having scraped together just one win from their first seven league fixtures.